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Course

Systems Engineering Management

BUSA-X400.66

From Complexity to Capability: Engineering the Path to Mission Success.

Complex systems do not succeed by accident. Effective systems engineering provides the framework for transforming customer and operational needs into successful products, technologies, and services.

Based on Systems Engineering Management by Blanchard and Blanchard, this course explores the processes and management practices used to guide complex technical programs from concept through development, verification, validation, and life-cycle support. Topics include requirements analysis, functional analysis, systems integration, risk and interface management, technical planning and control, life-cycle cost analysis, logistics, and verification and validation.

Students will gain practical insight into how systems engineers and technical leaders coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage technical complexity, and help ensure systems are delivered on time, within budget, and capable of meeting customer and operational requirements.

Course Highlights: 

  • System Life Cycle and Acquisition processes
  • Engineering Planning Management
  • Technical Program Planning and Control
  • Systems Engineering Process
  • Specialty Engineering Integration
  • Applying Systems Engineering Principles
Course Learning Outcomes:
 
  • Create broader understanding of systems engineering process and technical program planning and control.
  • Identify impacts of integrated product development and quality engineering on systems engineering
  • Develop greater cross-functional awareness
  • Learn tools and skills to increase effectiveness in environments where multi- disciplined teams are developing the requirements, the design, and the production processes for new systems and products

Course Typically Offered: Online in Fall and Spring quarters

Prerequisite: A BSE or equivalent knowledge and experience

Next Step: After completing this course, consider taking other courses in our Systems Engineering Professional Certificate to continue learning. 

Contact: For more information about this course, please email unexengr@ucsd.edu.



 

Who Will Benefit

While rooted in aerospace and defense, systems engineering principles are now essential across industries including manufacturing, energy, automotive, health care, medical devices, information technology, and other technology-driven fields. This course is ideal for engineers, systems engineers, technical managers, and project or program managers seeking to strengthen their skills in systems engineering management and complex systems development.

Course Information

Online
3.00 units
$795.00

Course sessions

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Section ID:

EL00002884

Class type:

Online Asynchronous.

This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.

Textbooks:

Required Course Reader Combo Systems Engineering Management Reader (Digital & Print) 1st by Muehlbach, Donald ISBN / ASIN: 9780100728813 Required Textbook Systems Engineering Management 5th by Blanchard, Benjamin ISBN / ASIN: 9781119047827 You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.

Policies:

Drop Refund Deadline:

09/28/2026

Note:

Systems Engineering Digital Reader COMBO Digital and Print Available thru UC San Diego Bookstore only ISBN# 9780100728813 System Engineering Management - 6th Edition by John E. Blyler (Author), Benjamin S. Blanchard (Author) ISBN-13: 978-1394215942

Schedule:

No information available at this time.
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Instructor:

Donald Muehlbach, Ph.D.
Donald Muehlbach, Ph.D.

Professor of Systems Engineering, Naval Postgraduate School; USN Engineering Duty Officer Captain

Donald S. Muehlbach Jr. is a professor of systems engineering for the Naval Postgraduate School. He has taught systems engineering for UC San Diego since 1995. He is also a USN Engineering Duty Officer Captain, Reserve Component. Previously, he was a senior systems engineer at SAIC for 20 years and the director of technology programs for UC San  Diego for six years.

Awards:

  • Recipient of the 2015 Allen Griffin Award for Excellence in Post-Secondary Teaching
  • Recipient of the 2013 Rear Admiral John Jay Schieffelin Award for Teaching Excellence
  • Recipient of the 2011 GSEAS Faculty Award for Extraordinary Merit in Teaching
  • Fifteen-time recipient of The Wayne E. Meyer Award for Excellence in Systems Engineering: December 2010, March 2011, September 2011, December 2011 (two awards), June 2012, September 2012 (two awards), June 2013 (two awards), September 2014, March 2015, December 2015, March 2016, and December 2016
  • Awarded the Legion of Merit Medal in the USN for Exceptional Meritorious Performance, 2011

Boards and Memberships:

  • INCOSE
  • ASNE
  • USNI
Full Bio