About Engineering Systems
A New Focus
Engineering Systems deal with diverse, complex, physical design problems that may include components from several engineering disciplines, as well as economics, public policy, and other sciences. Examples include: planning for the introduction of a fleet of alternative fuel vehicles, designing an Internet system, implementing a new manufacturing system, and managing an international distribution system for goods.
History: Departments and The Division
Many School of Engineering departments are conducting research and implementing programs in engineering systems within their specific disciplines. A unique example is centered in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Focused around a teaching lab that looks like a state-of-the-art fabrication facility, the Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate program gives students hands-on, team-oriented experience in conceiving, designing, and building products for the aerospace and other industries.
Other engineering systems efforts are underway in the following departments and division:
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Engineering Systems Division
- Mechanical Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
On a more comprehensive level, the Institute was one of the first to create a program that teaches engineers how to deal with issues beyond those traditionally associated with engineering. The Technology and Policy Program (TPP), now augmented by the PhD-level Technology, Management and Policy Program, gives students a thorough grounding in policy analysis related to technological development.
In 1988, MIT launched the Leaders for Manufacturing Program (LFM), which prepares engineers to be managers in industry. This heralded program has since spawned a successor, Systems Design and Management (SDM), which is targeted to mid-career engineers who will lead major technological projects such as the development of a new jetliner.
The Engineering Systems Division
To bring these programs together and explore this emerging discipline, the Institute created a highly innovative academic organization to coordinate the School of Engineering's role in engineering systems. The Engineering Systems Division (ESD) resembles, in some respects, a traditional academic department in that it offers master's and doctoral programs, sponsors research, and has its own faculty. However, the faculty all hold appointments in both the Division and an academic department. Many of its students and faculty have close interactions with industry — in fact, most students do industry internships as part of their educational programs. Furthermore, unlike most academic departments, the Division is heavily involved in policy issues.
Although the Division will serve as the focal point for engineering systems activities throughout the School of Engineering, departments design and carry out related research and education in cooperation with the Division's efforts.
In addition to establising new academic master's and PhD programs, the Division is also seeking to develop engineering systems as a new discipline — working with other universities to define the scope of the field, creating case studies for new learning, and bringing together experts from government, industry, and academe to explore the most recent challenges that can be addressed with engineering systems thinking.
