What is Systems Engineering?
Systems Engineering is a subject that has developed relatively recently. Its main aim is to consider engineering systems as a whole rather than just to concentrate on one particular component within them. This aim arises from the fact that almost everything around us that we use daily is a relatively complex system made up of a number of different components, which are likely to include mechanical components, electronic components, computer hardware/software and possibly other components as well.To try to explain in a little more detail, Systems Engineering covers the mathematical modelling, design and analysis of systems, concentrating particularly on how the different components in a system fit together and ensuring that the system is designed such that all components interact together in an efficient way.  The design of controllers to manage the systems developed is also a necessary part of Systems Engineering, and this part is more often known as Control Engineering.In consequence, while the majority of graduates find employment within traditional engineering disciplines, some also go into financial jobs in the City of London, weather forecasting and various other fields. Within the courses run by the department, Systems Engineering is applied primarily within the context of engineering systems. However, the system modelling, design and analysis concepts covered can be applied in a much wider range of disciplines such as weather forecasting, economic system modelling, financial forecasting and the analysis of geological data to predict the presence of raw materials in the earth such as oil and gas. A large number of employers now have a preference for graduates who are trained in Systems Engineering rather than a more specific discipline such as Electronic Engineering or Computer hardware/software. The career prospects are therefore excellent, particularly as the output of Systems Engineers from British universities is insufficient to meet the demands of employers. |