Why is systems engineering “people engineering”?

Systems Engineering is often misunderstood as purely mechanical, but program director Sandy Furterer describes it as “people engineering”. Ohio State’s new online Master of Systems Engineering program connects people, processes, and technology, using advanced tools like cognitive human factors and model-based systems engineering. We had the chance to ask Sandy a few questions about what systems engineering is, Ohio State’s online systems engineering degree, and how this degree can have a positive impact on the careers of students.  

Tell us a bit about yourself, Sandy. 

I am a Professor of Practice in the department of Integrated Systems Engineering (ISE), Curriculum Director for our Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology program, and the Faculty Director for the online Master of Systems Engineering program at The Ohio State University.  I have a bachelor’s and master of Industrial and Systems Engineering from Ohio State, an MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida. I’ve been at Ohio State since 2022. As a Professor of Practice, I focus on teaching and bringing my extensive industry knowledge and experience into the online classroom. 

What is systems engineering?

Systems Engineering is connecting the entire picture and factors that impact people, processes, and systems.  Systems Engineering leverages statistics, math, data, cognitive and human factors engineering disciplines to design and develop systems. 

Why does systems engineering interest you?

Systems engineering is a fantastic discipline and area of study. It connects people, processes, and technology with tools and problem-solving methodologies that optimize and improve processes and systems. There is always a problem to solve, a process to improve, or new technology to apply to improve workplaces across all industries, some of which are healthcare, financial services, retail, manufacturing, defense industries, etc. We call it the people engineering, where we design the workplace with the people as the central focus of the system. We collaborate with people and build our systems for people and the value that they can derive from it. 

Why are you excited for Ohio State to launch a systems engineering program?

Systems engineering is a growing discipline, based on the recent market analysis conducted by The Ohio State University, Columbus has seen the highest number of unique job postings in the systems engineering occupations compared to Cincinnati, which has seen the second highest number. Columbus is a hotspot for jobs within the profiled occupations. The national average for an area the size of Columbus is 16,849 jobs, while there were 20,057 in Columbus in 2022.  Dayton is also a hot spot for systems engineers with the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and demand for skilled systems engineers in defense-related fields.  

Who is this online Master of Systems Engineering degree for?

This program is the perfect fit for engineers working in business, industry, healthcare, government, for-profit, and non-profit organizations who already have several years of experience in the field and are ready to take their career to the next level. If you have already earned your bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, mathematics, statistics, computer science, natural sciences, and are responsible for modeling, designing, and deploying complex systems, products, services, and system-of-systems, then this is the program for you. This systems engineering program can be completed in as little as 18 months with a full-time course load, but most students complete their degree in under 2 years while taking classes part-time. 

What will I learn in this online systems engineering program? 

The curriculum focuses on the foundations of systems engineering, including the system design lifecycle, model-based systems engineering, systems requirements engineering, simulation and modeling, project management, and program management. The broad number of electives includes analytical tools and methods that optimize systems, such as design of engineering experiments, cognitive systems engineering, human-centered machine learning, visual analytics and sensemaking, and lean six sigma foundations. 

We have faculty who are experts in their disciplines and have extensive teaching and research experience.  Our program will allow you to get to know, work, and network with colleagues across a wide variety of disciplines and industries. We also have courses from Ohio State’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs focused on aspects of the public sector and federal government agencies, including risk and decision analysis in public affairs, managing public sector organizations, contract management, and federal policy and administration.   

How could a Master of Systems Engineering degree impact my career?

The Master of Systems Engineering program will take you to the next level of knowledge and application with tools and methodologies that will differentiate you from your peers when designing and developing systems.  From understanding how to better engage stakeholders to elicit and define systems requirements to managing programs and projects, these skills will help you to better collaborate with stakeholders and team members, as well as understand critical factors that are part of complex systems. 

What kind of systems engineering jobs does a Master of Systems Engineering degree open up for me?

This degree will help you to advance into or within the systems engineering jobs across a wide variety of industries that are embracing systems thinking and designing and deploying complex systems, such as defense, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, retail, and others.  Understanding how best to design and manage systems will open up opportunities to move into technical managerial positions.   

Elevate your career with an online systems engineering degree.

Ohio State’s Master of Systems Engineering program is specifically designed to provide you with the advanced tools and methodologies needed to differentiate yourself from your peers and transition into high-level technical roles. You will learn to connect the entire picture of people, processes, and systems to solve the most pressing challenges across industries like healthcare, defense, and manufacturing. Whether you are looking to master model-based systems engineering or dive into risk and decision analysis, this program offers the specialized knowledge to lead in today’s complex industrial landscape. Request more information today and find out how you could earn your degree fully online in as little as 18 months.