Master of Science in Engineering in Systems Engineering

The mission of the M.S. in Engineering degree is to provide graduate students with learning opportunities for acquiring a broad foundation of engineering knowledge including business and manufacturing aspects; an in-depth research experience at the frontiers of engineering; and skills for lifelong learning and professional development. Graduates of this program will pursue careers in businessindustry and government, or will pursue doctoral degrees. Advanced research skills: To produce graduates who possess the necessary advanced analytical, technical and research skills in engineering and the sciences – responds directly to the higher goal of fulfilling the needs of industry, academe and research laboratories for effective, productive engineers, professors and researchers Communication: To produce graduates who possess a facility with both written and oral communications – emanates from the requirement that engineers, researchers and professors must be able to interact and share ideas with others in the work environment, and at a higher level, be capable of creative self-expression, conveying knowledge and leadership Advanced problem-solving: To produce graduates who demonstrate creativity and innovation in solving technological problems – stems from the realization that new knowledge and new solutions to existing problems are necessary to meet the needs of our changing society and to advance the quality of human life

In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School and the College of Engineering, applicants to the systems engineering concentration must have a B.S. degree in engineering or a closely related discipline.Students in the VCU's electrical, computer, mechanical and nuclear, chemical and life science, and biomedical engineering and computer science B.S. programs can apply to this M.S. program at the end of their junior year, if they have a minimum major GPA of 3.2 and minimum overall GPA of 3.0. These students are not required to complete the GRE-general exam and should be admitted to the M.S. program for the term immediately following their last semester of undergraduate study. For admission to the M.S. program, these students must:Fulfill all requirements for the B.S. degree in an engineering, computer science or closely related field at VCUMaintain a minimum major GPA of 3.2 and minimum overall GPA of 3.0Complete a minimum of six credits of graduate course work in their senior year. Up to twelve credits of graduate course work which counted as technical electives toward requirements for the B.S. degree in electrical, computer, mechanical and nuclear, chemical and life science, and biomedical engineering and computer science B.S. can be counted toward the M.S. program.