Course Title: Introduction to Systems Engineering

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Introduction to Systems Engineering

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
MANU2127	City Campus	Postgraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Distance / Correspondence	Sem 1 2013, Sem 1 2014
MANU2127	City Campus	Postgraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Distance / Correspondence or Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2011
MANU2127	City Campus	Postgraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Distance / Correspondence or Face-to-Face or Internet	Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010
MANU2127	City Campus	Postgraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2015
MANU2127	City Campus	Postgraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Face-to-Face or Internet	Sem 2 2012

Course Coordinator: Dr. Arun Kumar

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4328

Course Coordinator Email: a.kumar@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 57.03.020

Course Coordinator Availability: Monday 1;00 to 3;00 pm

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

This course introduces you to the concepts of systems, systems thinking and systems life cycle all of which are necessary in dealing with complex problems. In the broader context, this subject will also introduce an number of systems approaches that deal with complex problems in the planning, developing and managing of engineering and technological systems, including Systems Engineering. Particular attention will be given to examining Systems Engineering to provide you with the fundamental systems concepts necessary to participate effectively in the Systems Engineering activities. The learning process for this subject involves a transformation of thinking – it will add a systems perspective to your already well developed rational-analytical skills. This will be achieved by examining your own views of the world around you (‘world view’) and questioning the underlying core beliefs and values that drive your current decision making.
Interest in ‘systems’ has stemmed from the difficulties the human race is experiencing in adapting to the rapid advancements in technology; satisfying increased societal expectations; avoiding environmental consequences; dealing with greater interdependencies and the overall complexity that underlies our rapidly changing world.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

1. To adopt a systems perspective and integrate this with your existing rational-analytical thinking skills.
2. To examine the concepts of systems and their properties. To be able to characterise a system in terms of its purpose, sub-systems and elements and in the context of its environment and systems life cycle.
3. To examine the basis for thinking about ‘systems’. To examine the way a system behaves in terms of its complexity and dynamics.
4. To review the various systems approaches used for problem solving, planning, developing and managing engineering and technological systems.
5. To evaluate the benefits of applying various systems approaches for problem definition and the solving of engineering and technological problems.

see above

Overview of Learning Activities

The activities are broken into basically four parts. These are:

1. identifying the rationale for thinking differently –this relates to issues of complexity and visualisation.
2. learning a new way of thinking – this is exploring the concepts of systems thinking.
3. dealing with problems within a systems framework – this is learning how to put the systemic problem into context (system of systems methodology).
4. examining various systems methodologies – that is, exploring the different methodologies, strengths and limitations, in addressing systemic problems or issues.
   
   

Overview of Learning Resources

These resources are available online. You can download them once you are enrolled in the course.

* Kusumo, Raden. Course Guide Notes, MANU 2127 Introduction to Systems Engineering, SAMME, RMIT University, 2010.

* Kusumo, Raden.  Reading Notes for MANU 2127, Introduction to Systems Engineering, SAMME, RMIT University, 2010.

Overview of Assessment

Assignment 1.
Start on your Assignment in Week 5 and submit Week 7
After completing modules 1 to 5 you should do: An applications of Systems Concepts and Ideas in Recognising and Defining a Problem as a system. 30% maximum contribution to the total grade. The limit is 3500 words on A4 paper with a font size of 12.

Assignment 2
Start in Week 9 and submit week 11
You should do: an application of one and/or two systems Methodologies in resolving a Systemic Problem. 40% maximum contribution to the total grade. The limit is 3500 words on A4 paper with a font size of 12.

Assignment 3
Start in week 12 and submit week 14
You should provide an outline of the strengths and limitations of the studied Systems Methodologies
in this course. 20% maximum contribution to the total grade. The limit is 1000 words on A4 paper with a font size of 12.

Contribution and Participation in the Threaded Discussions:
10% maximum contribution to the total grade based on the frequency and quality of the contributions.