The Systems Engineering Program at Institute of Space Science and Engineering (ISSE) currently offers MSc and PhD programs using state of the art facilities at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and African University of Science and Technology, Abuja. The degrees are supervised and awarded by the African University of Science and Technology and therefore the programs conform to the highest standards set by the university.

Systems engineers address some of the most complex challenges and problems that society faces. Systems engineering enables building, analyzing and managing a system—be it electrical, mechanical, chemical, biological or one involving business processes and logistics. Traditionally, engineering disciplines are defined through physical attributes: electrical engineers work with circuits and transistors, aeronautical engineers with airplanes and rockets. Systems engineering transcends the physical nature of what is designed or managed—if “it” consists of multiple interacting components performing a function that cannot be achieved by any one component alone, then “it” is a system, and systems engineers can work to understand and improve such a system.

The courses in Systems Engineering at ISSE will equip you to address the root causes of problem situations, understanding requirements from multiple perspectives and the tension that may exist between them. You will learn to think about the issues that may arise throughout the lifetime of a system, from cradle to grave, and to check robustly and rigorously that the system will meet user requirements throughout its lifecycle. The course will help you to understand how systems engineers, domain engineers and project managers come together as multi-disciplinary teams to develop solutions to real world problems.

Admission requirements for the MSc program include a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with a second class upper (minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale and 3.5 on a 5 point scale). The MSc program in Systems Engineering requires 18 months (12 months of course work and 6 months of research ending up in an acceptable MSc Thesis) and is based on a combination of foundation, core and elective courses, plus thesis research. MSc Courses in Systems Engineering include: Introduction to Space Science, Engineering and the Society; Methods of Applied Mathematics I; Applied Numerical Methods; Research Methodology & Communication; Architecture of Systems Engineering Processes; Advanced Applied Mathematics; Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support Systems; Cybersecurity and Systems Reliability. Graduation requirements include a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on completion of the course work.

Admission requirements for the PhD program in Systems Engineering include the same requirements for the MSc program plus an MSc in the relevant field with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 4 point scale or 4 on a 5 point scale. The PhD program requires a minimum of 3 years made up of one year course work and two years of research. Doctoral students are meant to take 4 advanced courses prior to their qualifiers. Students admitted on a provisional basis (without an AUST M.Sc. degree) will be required to take 18 Credit Units of coursework (M.Sc. + PhD) prior to qualifiers, while maintaining CGPA of 3.25 at the end of all courses.

The course work includes a minimum of 4 advanced courses at the PhD level plus some MSc courses depending on the student’s background. Courses include: Advances in Artificial Intelligence; Advances in Cybersecurity and Systems Reliability; Research Seminar; Research Methodology & Communication; Advances in Expert Systems; Advances in Antenna & Radar Systems Design; Advances Security and Defense Systems; Advances in Software Engineering.

Graduation requirements include a CGPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale (3.5 on a 5 point scale). Graduation requirement include a CGPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale (3.5 on a 5 point scale) plus two papers published from the thesis in at least a SCOPUS indexed journal prescribed by the University.

The program is very intensive and only well-motivated and prepared students are encouraged to apply. The courses are taught as 3- or 4-week modules of 45 to 60 hours, including lectures and problem solving sessions. Details of the course outline are in the handbook. The Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Outcome Based Education (OBE) approaches are used in teaching.

For more details on course description, fees, faculty, research areas, visit:

www.isse.edu.ng ; www.aust.edu.ng