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The Need for Systems Engineering

The Need for Systems Engineering

This course is part of Introduction to Systems Engineering Specialization

Instructor: William Van Atten

11,461 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

97 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

97 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

What you'll learn

Define systems engineering and the systems engineering approach
Describe a system and identify the phases of a system’s development life cycle
Assess the application of systems engineering throughout the life cycle of a system

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

9 assignments

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Introduction to Systems Engineering Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this course, you will be introduced to principles of systems engineering and its importance to the development of complex systems. You will learn to identify and define systems, manage their complexity, and describe their life cycle. The course uses real-world engineering examples to address how the systems engineering approach can address challenges.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

Module details

Welcome the the first week of "The Need for Systems Engineering". This week, we will define what we mean when we say system, a system of systems, and systems engineering. We will draw from publicly available systems engineering handbooks used by NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) to identify the role system engineering serves in complex engineering processes, the interdisciplinary role of a systems engineer, and the lifecycle of a system.

What's included

9 videos4 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt

9 videosTotal 147 minutes

Introduction to the Specialization and Instructor10 minutes
Definition of a System10 minutes
Definition of a System of Systems (SoS)18 minutes
Definition of Systems Engineering22 minutes
Purpose of Systems Engineering24 minutes
The Systems Engineering Lifecycle21 minutes
Complexity, Adjacency, and the Environment16 minutes
System of Systems (SoS) Engineering14 minutes
The Person vs. The Process13 minutes

4 readingsTotal 86 minutes

Course Updates and Accessibility Support1 minute
Non-Credit Students: Welcome and Where to Find Help10 minutes
NASA Systems Engineering Handbook30 minutes
DoD Systems Engineering Guidebook45 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Concepts Check15 minutes
Concepts Check15 minutes
Concepts Check15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Introduce Yourself10 minutes

In this module, we will examine how complex system design program is initiated based on establishing a need. It is best to study how the needed capability is currently provided and why this leaves a capability gap. We will then proceed with defining the system by writing requirements as well as identifying its functions.

What's included

7 videos4 readings1 assignment2 peer reviews

7 videosTotal 109 minutes

Defining the Need for a System16 minutes
James Webb Space Telescope7 minutes
Requirements Defined24 minutes
Characteristics of Good Requirements20 minutes
Functions11 minutes
Functional Analysis22 minutes
Functional Block Diagrams10 minutes

4 readingsTotal 90 minutes

GAO Report30 minutes
Matlab Tech Talk: Requirements15 minutes
INCOSE SEBoK30 minutes
Functional Architecture15 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Key Points10 minutes

2 peer reviewsTotal 90 minutes

Writing Requirements45 minutes
Identifying System Functions45 minutes

In this module, we will examine two space craft accidents and how Systems Engineering could have potentially been used to avoid the mishap.

What's included

2 videos2 readings2 assignments

There is an important symbiotic relationship between Systems Engineering and Test Engineering. Those two disciplines often report to the same functional manager because they are so tightly coupled. This module will introduce some important test considerations.

What's included

5 videos3 readings2 assignments

5 videosTotal 71 minutes

Introduction to Test25 minutes
Types of Testing23 minutes
Test Planning17 minutes
Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Introduction2 minutes
Systems Engineering Lessons Learned from Chernobyl5 minutes

3 readingsTotal 139 minutes

What Happened at Chernobyl?49 minutes
NASA Systems Engineering Handbook60 minutes
INCOSE Systems Eng BoK30 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 30 minutes

Key Take Aways15 minutes
Key Take Aways15 minutes

In this module, we will reflect back on the topics that have been covered during the first Module of this Specialization on Systems Engineering by highlighting a few of the main concepts. I will introduce you to the topic of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and conclude by explaining how Systems Engineering is put to use in a large, complex design effort.

What's included

3 videos3 readings1 assignment

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This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(29 ratings)

William Van Atten

University of Colorado Boulder

3 Courses13,719 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Learner reviews

5 stars
84.69%
4 stars
13.26%
3 stars
1.02%
2 stars
1.02%
1 star
0%

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Reviewed on May 14, 2024

one of the best courses i have taken to date. thank you for sharing important use cases of Systems engineering

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2026

The professor has many years of experience in the field and brings many real world examples that make learning SE process intuitive and interesting. Great course!

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Very clear lectures and fascinating range of readings from the aerospace and defence sectors.

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