Master of Systems Engineering

Help Shape Complex Systems for the Future

As the world becomes more interconnected, and the systems on which we depend become increasingly complex, systems engineers will be highly sought after. The systems engineering process coordinates and leads the translation of operational needs into a system designed to meet that need. It is a forward-thinking process that transcends software, electrical, and mechanical engineering. It focuses on how to design, integrate, and manage complex systems throughout their life cycles, coordinating performance, cost, and schedule goals. 

The Master of Systems Engineering at UNSW Canberra is designed for postgraduate students who wish to develop a high-level understanding of the principles that shape systems engineering and their implementation through the design, development and application phases. This course will provide you with in-demand skills and experience in analysing, designing and managing complex projects with the opportunity to specialise in a specific engineering discipline.  

Design Your Degree

As part of the Master of Systems Engineering, you can choose from a variety of specialisations including:   

  • Electronic Warfare 

  • Networking  

  • Space Systems  

  • Test and Evaluation  

  • Weapons and Ordnance  

  • Marine Engineering  

  • Simulation 

  • Reliability Engineering 

To complete a specialisation, you must complete the four core courses, two courses from the chosen specialisation, and two electives from anywhere else in the program. 

With the approval of the Program Coordinator, students with a high credit average or better in four courses may complete a research project in lieu of two elective courses.  

The project is recommended for those with a strong interest in pursuing original research in a particular area or intending to undertake a higher-level research qualification. 

We help you balance study with work, family and other important parts of your life by offering this degree under a mixture of online and intensive delivery modes. 

What Our Students Say

“The calibre of UNSW Canberra’s staff, the breadth and quality of its programs, the flexibility offered in its various course delivery mediums and the support for its students, are all simply first class.” 

Anthony Barnes, Master of Systems Engineering student

Find Out More

You can find more information on this degree including entry requirements on the UNSW Handbook.

Find out more

Program Structure
add

Students undertaking the Master of Systems Engineering are required to complete 48 Units of Credit (UOC) by completing eight 6-UOC courses from the list in the Handbook entry for the program (see the list in Course Availability below). 

In the Master of Systems Engineering program, students must complete four core courses and four elective courses (from the general electives or any of the specialisations). Not all elective courses will be available in a particular year. 

Students may choose to complete the generalist Master of Systems Engineering program or may choose to complete the Master of Systems Engineering with a specialisation (options include Test & Evaluation, Space Systems, Electronic Warfare, Weapons and Ordnance, Networking, Reliability Engineering, Simulation and Marine Engineering). To complete a specialisation, students must complete the four core courses, two courses from the chosen specialisation, and two electives from anywhere else in the program. 

The courses in the program may be taken in any order but it is recommended that the four core courses are completed first, followed by the four elective courses. 

With the approval of the Program Coordinator, students with an average mark of 65% or higher in four courses may complete a 12-UOC research project in lieu of two elective courses. The project is recommended for those with a strong interest in pursuing original research in a particular area or intending to undertake a higher-level research qualification. 

With the approval of the Program Coordinator, students may take up to two elective courses (12 UOC) from other coursework programs. 

Research Project
add

The option of undertaking a research project worth 12 UOC is available to master's students who obtain a high credit average or better in four courses and is subject to approval by the Program Coordinator.  

The research project can be completed within one semester through enrolment in ZEIT8297 Project Report - Systems Engineering (full-time) or spread across two semesters through enrolment in ZEIT8296 Project Report - Systems Engineering (part-time). Completion of either course results in the achievement of 12 UOC. 

The project is recommended for those with a strong interest in pursuing original research in a particular area or intending to undertake a higher research degree qualification. Students undertaking the research project (ZEIT8297 or ZEIT8296) are unable to enrol in elective courses from other coursework programs. 

Course Availability
add

*Please Note: Program rules are subject to change, students need to follow the program rules set out in the UNSW Handbook of the year they were admitted into the program.

Core Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Systems Engineering Practice Distance Mode Not Offered 
Requirements Practice Distance Mode Distance Mode
Test and Evaluation Distance Mode Not Offered
Systems Thinking and Modelling Distance Mode Not Offered 

 

General Electives Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Logistics Management Distance Mode Not Offered
Software Project Management Distance Mode Not Offered 
System Safety Not Offered

Distance Mode
Project Administration Not Offered  Distance Mode
Project Management Body of Knowledge Distance Mode Distance Mode
Capability Option Analysis  Not Offered Distance Mode

 

Electronic Warfare Stream Electives Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Cyber Operations Not Offered Not Offered
Cyber Defence: Governance, Management and Acquisition Distance Mode Not Offered
Info Assurance Principles Not Offered Distance Mode
Information Operations Not Offered  Distance Mode
Non-Communications Electronic Warfare Distance Mode Distance Mode

 

Networking Stream Electives Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Cyber Operations Not Offered Not Offered
Intrusion Analysis & Response Not Offered Not Offered
Cyber Defence: Network Security Operations Distance Mode Distance Mode
Internetworking Not Offered  Distance Mode 
Satellite Communications Distance Mode Not Offered

 

Space Systems Stream Electives Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Space Operations Distance Mode Not Offered 
Global Navigation Satellite Systems Not Offered Distance Mode
Space Systems Technologies Not Offered  Distance Mode
Satellite Communications Distance Mode Not Offered
Spaceborne Imaging Technologies Not Offered Distance Mode

  

Test and Evaluation Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Advanced Test and Evaluation Techniques Not Offered Distance Mode
Evidence-based Decision Making Distance Mode Not Offered 
Decision Analytics Distance Mode Not Offered
Simulation Not Offered Distance Mode

 

Weapons and Ordnance Stream Electives Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Explosive Ordnance Technologies Not Offered Intensive (In Person)
Technical Regulation of Ordnance Not Offered Not Offered
Weapons Engineering Not Offered 

Distance Mode
Lethality and Survivability* (Requires approval) Not Offered CTMC

 

Reliability Engineering Stream Electives Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Reliability Engineering Fundamentals Distance Mode Not Offered 
Reliability Engineering Assurance Not Offered  Distance Mode
Reliability Program Management Distance Mode Not Offered

 

Marine Engineering Stream Electives Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Marine Technology*(requires approval) Not Offered  CTMC

Cross Institutional Study: University of Tasmania 

JEE506: Modelling & Simulation of Marine Systems

JEE503: Ship Design

JEE529: Design of Marine Machinery Systems 

 More information at UTAS

Cross Institutional Study: University of Adelaide

MECH ENG 7042: Intro to Submarine Design

MECH ENG 7046: Submarine Design

MECH ENG 7065: Naval Engineering 

 More information at the University of Adelaide

  

Simulation Stream Electives Semester 1 - 2023 Semester 2 - 2023
Model Based Systems Engineering Not Offered Not Offered
System Dynamics Modelling Not Offered Distance Mode
Simulation Not Offered Distance Mode
Simulation Applications Not Offered Distance Mode

Note: Courses ZEIT8010 and ZINT8301 are only available to Capability and Technology Management College (CTMC) students or other Australian Defence Organisation personnel on approval from the Director, CTMC.

 

Entry Requirements
add

Please refer to the UNSW Handbook for the Entry Requirements.   

Recognition for Prior Learning - Professional Development
add

If you have successfully completed approved professional development courses, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning towards future study. 

Find out more

Next Steps

How to Apply
Important Dates
Getting Started
Support Services