Frequently Asked Questions

Quesions about the Systems Ph.D.

• How is the Ph.D. different from the M.Eng program?

  The doctoral degree is designed for students and professionals who have adequate technical background, but are now looking to take a leadership role within a research group, company division, or a university. Students at this level will grow from learning existing systems techniques to creating new, state-of-the-art techniques. Also, new courses covering advanced topics have been created specifically for the Ph.D. program to add the increased breadth and depth needed to carry out advanced research.

• What can I study? What is the specific curriculum?

  Each student must show competency within the context of the following seven courses: (1) Foundations of Complex Systems, (2) Human-Centered Modeling, (3) Systems Architecture, (4) Risk-Based Systems Engineering, (5) Systems Behavior and Optimization, (6) Model-Based Systems Engineering, (7) Case Study Doctoral Colloquium.

  In addition to these courses, each student will be required to complete two minors chosen from engineering, business, and the sciences (including social sciences, agriculture, etc.).

  Students are required to pass a field-administered Qualifying Exam and an Admission to Candidacy Exam, or A Exam, which has an oral portion and is administered by the special committee of the student. Students are also required to pass a Final Exam, or B Exam, in which the student presents and defends the Ph.D. thesis.

• Who should pursue the Systems Engineering Ph.D. degree?

  Cornell’s Systems Ph.D. program is for students and professionals who have adequate technical background, but are now looking to take a leadership role within a research group, company division, or a university. The employment prospects for the graduates of this program, both in academia and industry, are remarkably high. We expect the graduates of the program to find employment in a variety of fields, including energy, healthcare, defense, aerospace, information technology, and policy making.

  Driven by the strong industry interest in systems experts, numerous universities are in the process of starting or growing their systems programs, which, in turn, drives the academic demand for individuals with Ph.D. in systems.

• When can I enroll in the Systems Engineering Ph.D. program?

  You can apply now. The deadline for the applications each year is January 1 for the following September.

• When did the Systems Engineering Ph.D. program begin?

  The program started in 2016.

• Why should I choose Cornell for my Ph.D. in Systems Engineering?

  U.S. News & World Report lists 30 U.S. institutions with doctoral programs in systems engineering, only one of which is in New York State. As an Ivy League university with strong academics across a very diverse campus, Cornell is uniquely positioned to offer the degree because of its interdisciplinary nature. Whereas most other universities house their systems programs in one department, Cornell’s Systems Program takes a multi-department approach that takes advantage of not only its 13 other engineering departments and schools, but also of Cornell’s strong social science, economics and business programs, including Cornell Tech in New York City. This allows Cornell to focus on areas often overlooked by other systems program, such as the human-centered aspect of designing complex systems. The research being done by Cornell faculty reflects this approach as described in the Research section.  More information can be found online or provided by request.

• How much is tuition?

  The cost of enrolling in the program will vary based on the individual applying. You can take a look at the tuition rate in the Graduate School website.

  A number of financial aid options are available in the form of teaching assistantships, program fellowships, and research assistantships.

  Most enrolled students are supported fully by financial aid, unless they are supported, at some level, by their employer.

• Is the Systems Engineering Ph.D. offered via distance learning?

  We are presently introducing a hybrid version of our Ph.D. program. However, this program will still require the first two years (four semesters) to be in residence. Under certain circumstances, such as receiving a previous relevant master’s degree from Cornell University, it may be possible to only spend one year (two semesters) in residence.

  The remaining years would be able to be completed via distance if it is worked out with your thesis advisor and your graduate study committee. The hybrid version is primarily for students who are being sponsored financially, at some level, by their company. Requests for enrolling in the hybrid version of the Ph.D. are being reviewed on a case by case basis.

• What is an example of a systems area where the development of new techniques and processes are needed?

  Understanding the market for natural disaster insurance requires integrating models of natural hazards, building-specific structural vulnerability, consumer choice, insurance company competition, and governmental action.

  Designing coordinated networks of earth-observing sensors on satellites, UAVs and atmospheric balloons and predicting the transmission of disease-causing agents through the food supply chain are two other examples of challenges faced by systems engineers.