Systems Engineering Design Certificate

Benefits

The Cornell Systems Engineering Design certificate empowers professionals to explore multiple solutions, rethinking not just how to think outside the box but whether the box is needed. Too often, designers narrow their solution space prematurely without proper justification. Systems engineering design skills are highly sought after in industry because they foster innovative, stakeholder-valued solutions that are both reliable and impactful.

As part of the Cornell Systems Engineering Design certificate, students gain hands-on experience with tools throughout the entire Vee-diagram design process, applying these skills directly to their careers. Additionally, they have the opportunity to earn the INCOSE ASEP or CSEP certification without taking the knowledge exam—a first for Cornell!

Curriculum

Students can choose from a variety of electives to tailor their learning experience:

• Theory & Practice of Systems Architecture – One of the most popular electives in Cornell’s Systems Engineering program, this course focuses on solution design principles that have the greatest impact on a system’s performance and lifecycle cost. It is well-suited for professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• Systems Integration, Verification, and Validation – This course ensures students develop the skills needed to integrate complex systems across teams and organizations. Students learn how to verify that technical requirements are met while demonstrating that the final solution effectively delivers value to all stakeholders.
• Transdisciplinarity and Systems – This course broadens students’ perspectives by introducing fundamental Systems Thinking concepts, emphasizing how many projects exist within larger, interconnected systems that must be considered in effective solution design.

Additionally, Cornell Systems Engineering certificates are stackable, meaning that if you have previously completed any of these courses as part of another certificate program, they will count toward earning this certificate as well.

By completing the Cornell Systems Engineering Design certificate, students gain the skills and industry recognition needed to design innovative, high-impact solutions that address today’s most complex challenges – and those of the future.

Requirements

• SYSEN5100 (required) – Model Based Systems Engineering
  • Fall
  • 4 credits
• Plus two of the following options:
  • SYSEN 5200—Systems Analysis Behavior and Optimization
    • Spring
    • 3 credits
  • SYSEN 5290—Transdisciplinarity and Systems
    • Fall
    • 3 credits
  • SYSEN 5250—Systems Integration, Verification, and Validation
    • Spring
    • 3 credits