EMEN 4405 - Systems Engineering

Instructor: Bill Van Atten
Suggested prior knowledge: None 
Prerequisites: None
Semester(s) Offered: See course list

  Current Course Schedule

Course Description

Examines the disciplined process of designing a complex system to meet a specified customer need. We begin with identifying the needed capability through operational and functional analysis, then progress through defining requirements that articulate operational and environmental capabilities that address reliability, maintainability, and producibility considerations across the system lifecycle. The course also introduces technical management tasks to include risk management, technology readiness assessment, and program controls using real-world, current aerospace industry examples. The lectures supplement the textbook by drawing from Department of Defense and NASA sources, which are both significant contributors to the Systems Engineering process and overall aerospace industry standardization. Systems Engineering is the process that makes an innovative, cutting-edge idea into a marketable product that meets a given set of customer requirements. Get started on an exciting career, whether you aspire to work as a Systems Engineer or any other engineering discipline. This course will teach you how to be a successful and productive member of the team.

Skills and Knowledge Gained  

  • Understand the process of creating a product that meets a defined set of customer requirements.
  • Learn how to translate a needed capability into a set of requirements that can be used to guide the design effort.
  • Learn the practical application of how engineering is done in the aerospace industry using real-world, current examples.
  • Understand what a career as a Systems Engineer would be like.
  • Learn how to be a productive, successful team contributor regardless of your engineering discipline.
  • Learn practical skills used throughout the aerospace industry, including defining requirements, risk management, scheduling, contracts fundamentals, and leadership.

Why should you take this course? 

Learn the process of engineering used throughout the aerospace industry and how you can be a valuable contributor while launching your own exciting journey.

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Bill Van Atten Headshot

Bill Van Atten

Following a successful career as an aviator in the Marine Corps, Bill has over 12 years of aerospace industry experience, both government and commerical.

He has a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from RPI and a Masters degree in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

He has managed multiple development programs that have designed, manufactured, and tested products for Department of Defense and NASA systems.