The Ph.D. in Systems Engineering prepares students to become leaders in systems engineering. Students will produce original research that drives advancements and leads to improvements in areas such as energy efficiency, environmental impact, cybersecurity, economic growth, and more. Students will become fluent in the theoretical and technical complexities of interdisciplinary modern engineering and complete the program with the credentials to teach at the highest collegiate levels. Choose from more than 40 course options, and attend online, in-person, or hybrid.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Effectively analyze, design, or implement integrated system solutions.
- Effectively use and create systems engineering tools such as modeling and simulation of a system.
- Evaluate systems interfaces between stakeholder and technical domains effectively and efficiently.
- Exemplify a variety of roles in multi-disciplinary teams including systems engineer, technical expert, and leader, product owner, upper management.
- Contribute technically to the systems engineering field of knowledge.
Effective Fall 2025
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SYSE 701 | Research Methods in Systems Engineering | 3 |
| Courses in Depth - Select 21 credits: | 21 | |
| Engineering Project and Program Management | ||
or CIS 600A | Project Management: Information Technology | |
or CIS 670 | Advanced IT Project Management | |
| Engineering Optimization: Method/Application | ||
| Intelligent Decision Support Systems | ||
| Intellectual Property and Invention Systems | ||
| Engineering Risk Analysis | ||
| Spaceflight and Biological Systems | ||
| Modeling Human Systems Behavior | ||
| Design Analysis of Engineering Experiments | ||
| AR/VR Biometrics and Sensing for Training | ||
| Electrical Power Engineering | ||
| Coupled Electromechanical Systems | ||
| Simulation Modeling and Experimentation | ||
| Grid Integration of Wind Energy Systems | ||
| Foundations of Systems Engineering | ||
| Systems Thinking for the Real World | ||
| Control Engineering for System Engineers | ||
| Systems Sensing and Imaging Analysis | ||
| Overview of Systems Engineering Processes | ||
| Dynamics of Complex Engineering Systems | ||
| Human Systems Integration | ||
| Space Mission Analysis and Design | ||
| Engineering Data Design and Visualization | ||
| Systems-Based AR/VR Environmental Realism | ||
| Augmented/Virtual Reality Systems Development | ||
| Security Engineering for Systems Engineers | ||
| Secure Vehicle and Industrial Networking | ||
| Transitions in Energy Systems | ||
| Systems Engineering Architecture | ||
| Cybersecurity Awareness for Systems Engineers | ||
| Analytics in Systems Engineering | ||
| Cost Optimization for Systems Engineers | ||
| Systems Requirements Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Systems Test and Evaluation | ||
| Advanced Model-Based Systems Engineering | ||
| Technical Electives 1 | 18 | |
| Dissertation | ||
| SYSE 799A | Dissertation: PhD 2 | 30 |
| Program Total Credits: | 72 | |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program. Up to 30 credits of an applicable master's degree may be used toward Technical Elective, Courses in Depth, and Dissertation requirements.
- 1
Select technical elective credits with approval by student’s advisor. SE Department maintains an extensive list of possible suggested electives, or new courses may be approved on an individual basis. A maximum of 6 credit hours are permitted at the 400-level. The remainder must be at the 500-level or above.
- 2
3 credit hours of SYSE 795 may be used by students who have had their Ph.D. research, performed while enrolled at CSU, accepted for publication (completely or with minor revisions) in at least two peer-reviewed journal or conference publications. Contact department for details.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |