Getting Students Hooked on Systems Engineering!

AbstractThe author has reported most recently at IS2012 about initiatives in the Norwegian University of Science and Technology to help students learn about SE by doing SE. She address the question, “lacking a degree program in the university dedicated to SE, what is the best way to give students a taste of SE that makes them want more?” Success of the efforts to date has been indicated by a 100% employment in Norway of all students who demonstrate an awareness of and willingness to learn more about SE.The paper describes three initiatives: results from a PhD level course that has run for 12 years, including publications; lab exercises for a master level course on Industrial Design-SE that has run for 3 years; and a master thesis project that has experienced recent success attributed to the introduction of a systems engineer role on the project team since 2011.The conclusion is that letting students ‘try out’ systems engineering practices in a laboratory/project environment offers them learning experiences that clearly demonstrate the value of systems engineering practices and theory