Systems Engineering Analysis Curriculum Committee (SEACC)

Chair

Wayne Hughes, CAPT, USN (Ret.)

Naval Postgraduate School

Code OR/Hu, Glasgow Hall, Room 220

1411 Cunningham Road

Monterey, CA 93943

(831) 656-2484, DSN 756-2484, FAX (831) 656-2595

whughes@nps.edu

Members

Program Officer

Mark Stevens

Code SE/ST, Bullard Hall, Room 112

(831) 656-7545, DSN 756-7545

FAX (831) 656-3129

mstevens@nps.edu

Academic Associate

Fotis Papoulias, Ph.D.

Code ME/Pa, Watkins Hall, Room 323

(831) 656-3381, DSN 756-3381

FAX (831) 656-3129

papoulias@nps.edu

Dean of Graduate School of Business and Public Policy

Robert N. Beck

Code GB/RB, Ingersoll Hall, Room 231

(831) 656-2471, DSN 756-2471

FAX (831) 656-7633

rnbeck@nps.edu

Chair, Department of Systems Engineering

David H. Olwell, Ph.D.

Code SE/Ol, Bullard Hall, Room 201K

(831) 656-3583, DSN 756-3583

FAX (831) 656-3129

dholwell@nps.edu

Director, Meyer Institute of Systems Engineering

Paul V. Shebalin, DSc.

Code 97/Sh, , BU101

Monterey, CA 93943

(831) 656-7639, DSN 756-7639, FAX (831) 656-2336

pshebali@nps.edu

Overview

The Systems Engineering Analysis Curriculum Committee provides oversight of this unique inter-disciplinary and inter-departmental curriculum, in order to enhance its effectiveness to meet the needs of the unrestricted line officers community in contributing to naval and joint operations. This SEA curriculum is of special interest to the CNO and NPS.

The SEACC reports to the Provost, who is consulted in matters of policy and procedure and, each year, approves the budget allocated to support SEA teaching, program administration, and faculty supervision of the capstone project. The SEACC Chair manages and distribute this budget to the Academic Departments and the Meyer Institute of Systems Engineering (MISE), according to the workload assigned to each respective department/institute.

The responsibilities of the SEACC are:

1. To maintain the military relevance and academic excellence of the SEA program,
2. To foster close relationships with the appropriate officers in OPNAV and the Fleet, and with a curriculum sponsor, emphasizing the curriculum goal of improving the technical-tactical-operational prowess of the unrestricted line,
3. To draw on the best qualified and most knowledgeable faculty to serve as instructors and curriculum/course advisors,
4. Working through the Academic Associate, to ensure the interdisciplinary nature of the program is maintained, and that the best possible use is made of existing courses and faculty,
5. Working through the Director MISE, to ensure the availability of suitable student capstone projects, the professionalism of faculty advisors, and the quality of written project reports,
6. To foster the selection and matriculation of well-qualified students who have intellectual and professional promise of being future leaders of the Navy, and
7. To advise the SEACC Chair in the management and distribution of the annual budget allocated for teaching SEA courses, administration of SEA students, and supervising the SEA Capstone project.

Degrees Awarded

The SEACC awards the Master of Science in Systems Engineering Analysis (MS SEA) degree. The SEA curriculum is designed for unrestricted line officers who aspire to command and seek a graduate degree tailored to enhance their value as combat officers. The hallmark of the curriculum is a strong scientific and technical content that offers a balanced blend and breadth in systems thinking and analysis of current and future military operations.

Candidates normally are expected to have studied mathematics and science in their undergraduate work. Undergraduate engineering study is advantageous, but not required.

The Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering Analysis requires a minimum of 48 quarters-hours of graduate- level course work. The candidate must take all courses in an approved study program, which must also satisfy the following requirements: A minimum of 32 quarter-hours of credits in 3000-and 4000-level courses, including a minimum of 12 quarter-hours at the 4000 level.

A student seeking the Master of Science in Systems Engineering Analysis must also demonstrate knowledge in systems design and integration, systems analysis and application, combat technology, and familiarity with professional military education in strategy and policy. This may be accomplished by completing all courses in an approved study program.

Participation in a capstone project with a minimum of 16 credit-hours is required for the degree. An acceptable thesis for a minimum of 16 credits, may be substituted in lieu of a team project. The Academic Associate and the Program Officer must endorse such a request, which will be subject to final approval by the Systems Engineering Analysis Curriculum Committee.

Systems Engineering Analysis Program – Curriculum 308

Program Officer

Mark Stevens

Code SE/ST, Bullard Hall, Room 112

(831) 656-7545, DSN 756-7545

FAX (831) 656-3129

mstevens@nps.edu

Academic Associate

Fotis Papoulias, Ph.D.

Code ME/Pa, Watkins Hall, Room 323

(831) 656-3381, DSN 756-3381

FAX (831) 656-3129

papoulias@nps.edu

This inter-disciplinary curriculum provides a foundation in systems thinking, technology, and operations analysis for warfighters. Graduates will be able to understand how to develop and fight new systems of combats systems, and have a more thorough understanding of current combat systems.

Students normally complete group projects in lieu of theses. These "capstone" projects are chosen to allow students to gain a thorough understanding of a critical warfare area and to provide the Navy and other services insights about future systems options to meet emerging needs.

The program is designed as a highly integrated graduate education. Lectures, team projects, and individual research are provided, as well as seminars from visiting experts. The length of this program is six quarters.

Requirements for Entry

For entry, the officer must have at least a C+ undergraduate grade point average, with at least one calculus course with a C or better and at least one calculus-based physics course with a C or better (APC 335). If an officer is an outstanding performer, but lacks the necessary academic preparation, the Naval Postgraduate School offers refresher and transition courses before the program starts.

Systems Engineering Analysis Subspecialty

Completion of this curriculum qualifies a naval officer as a Systems Engineering Sub-specialist, subspecialty code 6500P.

Entry Dates

The Systems Engineering Analysis curriculum is a six-quarter curriculum with entry dates in January and July. If it is necessary, due to APC requirements, the twelve-week refresher will begin study prior to this entry date. If further information is needed, contact the Program Officer or Academic Associate for this curriculum.

Degrees

Master of Science in Systems Engineering Analysis

This degree is proposed for all students completing the 308 curriculum. The System Engineering Analysis Curriculum Committee is the approving authority for the degree.

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

To be considered for this degree, a student must enter the curriculum with an ABET accreditable engineering BS degree and complete all the requirements of curriculum #308. The chair of the Department of Systems Engineering is the approving authority for the degree.

Master of Science in Systems Analysis

Selected students may elect to earn a degree in Systems Analysis from the Department of Operations Research. This involves a thesis in lieu of project and an extended analysis sequence. The chair of the Department of Operations Research is the approving authority for the degree.

Typical Course of Study

The first quarter of the SEA curriculum reflects a review of mathematics and physics, from a systems perspective. Subsequent quarters present a balance of courses in systems engineering, operations analysis, technology, joint professional military education, and project work. The students gain additional knowledge and insight through seminars and field trips.

Quarter 1 (Accelerated)

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

Quarter 5

Quarter 6

*OA4702 Cost Analysis or OA4603 Test and Evaluation may be substituted, depending on the background of the officer.

Educational skill Requirements
Systems Engineering Analysis Curriculum

Broad Objective

This curriculum teaches U.S. Navy Unrestricted Line Officers how the Navy builds and operates large combat systems of systems. The primary objective is to prepare officers to serve afloat by giving them the technological and analytical understanding to fight the fleet today and in the future. The emphasis is on integration of complex warfare systems with compatible tactics. In addition, graduates with experience afloat will be prepared to serve ashore as program managers and in technical/analytical billets on headquarters staffs.

1. Fundamental Skills. Introduction to the mathematics, physics, and computer skills needed to understand the technical aspects of weapon, information, and decision systems.
2. Information Systems Technology. Develop knowledge of information systems and the underlying technologies to include computer systems, computer networks and communications systems, software engineering, and databases. Demonstrate awareness of the capabilities, limitations, designs, and vulnerabilities of information systems. Understand defensive and offensive Information Operations. Understand C4I systems.
3. Sensors and Weapons. Gain an operator's understanding of the scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles behind existing and future military sensors and weapons, to include sensor technologies and performance in all domains, and weapon effects and underlying design principles, to include weapons of mass destruction. Understand the principles and tools that have been used to successfully integrate weapons, sensors, and their control systems.
4. Operations Analysis. Understand decision making under uncertainty and risk, and its impact on military planning, operations, and tactics. Emphasis is on the art of improving naval operations and tactics. Requires familiarity with modeling and simulation of alternative choices, including cost benefit analysis. Understand introductory level operations research techniques, including optimization, experimental design, test, and evaluation, to include planning and analyzing fleet experiments. Emphasis is on assisting military executives to make better decisions using quantitative methods.
5. Systems Engineering. Understand and apply the systems engineering process, to include system design, development, deployment, technical and economic trade-offs, and human factors. Demonstrate, by practical project work, the ability to perform the systems engineering process as a member of a large team over a sustained period of six months or longer.
6. Strategy and Policy. Acquire an understanding of strategic and campaign planning by studying past military campaigns and application of lessons learned through critical qualitative and quantitative analysis. This objective is fulfilled by completing the first of the Naval War College course series of Intermediate-level Professional Military Education, and earning Phase I Joint PME credit.
7. Independent Study. Demonstrate the ability for independent creative thinking and analyze problems that link technical/tactical solutions to combat or operational problems. Demonstrate presentation skills with individual written reports and oral briefings.