What is systems engineering?

Systems engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the design, implementation, and care of systems throughout their lifetimes. It's an interdisciplinary field that you can think of as big picture thinking for a system. The idea behind systems engineering is to look at what problems may arise within a system or what points of failure may lie within that system and how to fix those factors before they occur. In the mid-20th century, industries began looking at systems as a whole to determine how they should function over a life cycle, and a new way of thinking about those systems was developed. Initially, the concept of systems engineering applied only to physical systems, but over time those ideas have expanded to include systems that involve human interaction as well.

Why is systems engineering important to study?

It's important to learn systems engineering because it can help you see the larger picture of what you're working with, and it allows you to deal with the complexity of systems as a whole. To put it simply, the goal behind systems engineering is to achieve success. An understanding of systems engineering allows you to see the expectations of the client as well as the needs of those who are working on the project, and you'll be in a better position to respond to changes quickly and effectively. Applying systems engineering can save time and money, which gives both you and your client peace of mind.

How can systems engineering affect my career?

If you have a thorough knowledge of systems engineering, you can apply that most directly by finding work as a systems engineer for a corporation or at an engineering firm working with multiple clients at different times. Project management jobs also use the principles that drive systems engineering. There are jobs in other engineering fields in which you may be able to call upon your familiarity with systems engineering concepts. Even if you're not looking for work in the engineering field, you can use the ideas behind systems engineering to further your career to helm and manage projects.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn systems engineering?

When you study systems engineering with online courses on Coursera, you can learn about topics like systems engineering for the healthcare industry, project management in wood science, and how systems engineering works in a green economy. You can also have the opportunity to learn about model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digitalization in space and aeronautics, and health care systems engineering.

What are the benefits of taking an online Systems Engineering course?

Online Systems Engineering courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Systems Engineering skills. Choose from a wide range of Systems Engineering courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Systems Engineering courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Systems Engineering, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Systems Engineering Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Systems Engineering Course Catalog

University of Colorado Boulder
Introduction to Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Failure Analysis, Systems Engineering, Requirements Management, Cost Management, Scope Management, Design Reviews, Engineering Management, Risk Management, Program Management, Requirements Analysis, Project Controls, Project Management, Earned Value Management, Organizational Leadership, Contract Management, Systems Architecture, Test Planning, Systems Design, Work Breakdown Structure
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
104 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
MathWorks
Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering, Systems Architecture, Systems Design, Functional Design, Requirements Analysis, System Requirements, Requirements Elicitation, Functional Requirement, Verification And Validation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
223 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)
Introduction to Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Systems Engineering, Conceptual Design, Systems Design, Requirements Analysis, Systems Development Life Cycle, Requirements Elicitation, Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, Engineering Design Process, System Design and Implementation, Concept Of Operations, Configuration Management, Prototyping, System Requirements, Design Reviews, Verification And Validation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
807 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Siemens
Introduction to Model-Based Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Systems Development Life Cycle, Unified Modeling Language, Systems Engineering, Software Systems, Systems Design, Systems Architecture, Systems Analysis, Systems Integration, Simulations, Solution Architecture, Requirements Analysis, Verification And Validation
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
59 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University at Buffalo
MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Internet Of Things, Product Lifecycle Management, Enterprise Architecture, Verification And Validation, Process Analysis
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
853 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Johns Hopkins University
Foundations of Healthcare Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Health Systems, Systems Engineering, Health Technology, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Health Care, Systems Integration, Systems Analysis, System Requirements, System Testing, Requirements Analysis, Enterprise Architecture, Solution Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
281 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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IBM
IBM AI Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Large Language Modeling, PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Supervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Generative AI, Keras (Neural Network Library), Deep Learning, Jupyter, Natural Language Processing, Reinforcement Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Generative AI Agents, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Image Analysis, Data Manipulation, Tensorflow, Python Programming, Verification And Validation, Artificial Neural Networks
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
20K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Applying Systems Engineering to the Design Process
Skills you'll gain: Requirements Management, Design Reviews, Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, Requirements Analysis, Organizational Leadership, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Feasibility Studies, Technical Design, Leadership, Engineering Design Process, Performance Measurement, Manufacturing and Production, Decision Making
Build toward a degree
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Systems Engineering and Program Management
Skills you'll gain: Failure Analysis, Systems Engineering, Cost Management, Scope Management, Engineering Management, Requirements Management, Risk Management, Program Management, Project Controls, Project Management, Design Reviews, Earned Value Management, Contract Management, Work Breakdown Structure, Change Management, Project Documentation
Build toward a degree
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
40 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Control Systems Analysis: Modeling of Dynamic Systems
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Engineering Analysis, Differential Equations, Engineering Calculations, Systems Analysis, Electrical Systems, Mechanics, Applied Mathematics, Basic Electrical Systems
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
80 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
The Need for Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering, Requirements Analysis, Systems Architecture, Test Planning, Systems Design, Systems Analysis, Risk Management Framework, System Requirements, Engineering Design Process, Verification And Validation
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
63 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
Introduction to Software Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Development Environment, Software Engineering, Software Development Tools, Software Development Methodologies, Software Architecture, Software Design, Programming Principles, Unified Modeling Language, Agile Methodology, Software Development, Scrum (Software Development), Application Development, Back-End Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Git (Version Control System)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months