What is systems engineering?

Systems engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the design, implementation, and care of systems throughout their lifetimes. It's an interdisciplinary field that you can think of as big picture thinking for a system. The idea behind systems engineering is to look at what problems may arise within a system or what points of failure may lie within that system and how to fix those factors before they occur. In the mid-20th century, industries began looking at systems as a whole to determine how they should function over a life cycle, and a new way of thinking about those systems was developed. Initially, the concept of systems engineering applied only to physical systems, but over time those ideas have expanded to include systems that involve human interaction as well.

Why is systems engineering important to study?

It's important to learn systems engineering because it can help you see the larger picture of what you're working with, and it allows you to deal with the complexity of systems as a whole. To put it simply, the goal behind systems engineering is to achieve success. An understanding of systems engineering allows you to see the expectations of the client as well as the needs of those who are working on the project, and you'll be in a better position to respond to changes quickly and effectively. Applying systems engineering can save time and money, which gives both you and your client peace of mind.

How can systems engineering affect my career?

If you have a thorough knowledge of systems engineering, you can apply that most directly by finding work as a systems engineer for a corporation or at an engineering firm working with multiple clients at different times. Project management jobs also use the principles that drive systems engineering. There are jobs in other engineering fields in which you may be able to call upon your familiarity with systems engineering concepts. Even if you're not looking for work in the engineering field, you can use the ideas behind systems engineering to further your career to helm and manage projects.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn systems engineering?

When you study systems engineering with online courses on Coursera, you can learn about topics like systems engineering for the healthcare industry, project management in wood science, and how systems engineering works in a green economy. You can also have the opportunity to learn about model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digitalization in space and aeronautics, and health care systems engineering.

What are the benefits of taking an online Systems Engineering course?

Online Systems Engineering courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Systems Engineering skills. Choose from a wide range of Systems Engineering courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Systems Engineering courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Systems Engineering, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Systems Engineering Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Systems Engineering Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Introduction to Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Systems Engineering, Failure Analysis, Model Based Systems Engineering, Requirements Management, Scope Management, Cost Management, Design Reviews, Change Control, Test Engineering, Engineering Management, Project Management, Systems Thinking, Program Management, User Requirements Documents, Systems Design, Product Lifecycle Management, Business Requirements, Work Breakdown Structure, Risk Management, Requirements Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
131 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
MathWorks
Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering, Systems Architecture, Functional Design, System Design and Implementation, Requirements Analysis, Requirements Elicitation, Verification And Validation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
265 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
Mathematics for Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Integral Calculus, Engineering Calculations, Data Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Engineering Analysis, Computational Logic, Statistical Analysis, Linear Algebra, Logical Reasoning, Deductive Reasoning, Mathematical Modeling, Trigonometry, Analytics, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Statistical Inference, Theoretical Computer Science, Programming Principles, Descriptive Analytics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
155 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)
Introduction to Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Systems Engineering, Systems Development, Conceptual Design, Systems Design, Requirements Analysis, Systems Development Life Cycle, Requirements Elicitation, Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, Engineering Design Process, Functional Design, System Design and Implementation, Concept Of Operations, Technical Design, Configuration Management, Program Development, Prototyping, System Requirements, Risk Management Framework, Verification And Validation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
827 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Siemens
Introduction to Model-Based Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Unified Modeling Language, Systems Engineering, Systems Design, Software Systems, Systems Architecture, Systems Analysis, Simulations, Solution Architecture, System Requirements, Requirements Analysis, Verification And Validation, Functional Requirement, Cloud Computing
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
65 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Systems Engineering and Program Management
Skills you'll gain: Failure Analysis, Scope Management, Systems Engineering, Cost Management, Change Control, Requirements Management, Risk Management, Project Management, Program Management, Design Reviews, Work Breakdown Structure, Contract Management, Project Documentation, Forecasting
Build toward a degree
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
50 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
The Need for Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Systems Engineering, Model Based Systems Engineering, Test Engineering, Systems Thinking, Product Lifecycle Management, Engineering Management, Risk Management Framework, Engineering Design Process, System Requirements, Verification And Validation, Requirements Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
78 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Applying Systems Engineering to the Design Process
Skills you'll gain: Requirements Management, Design Reviews, Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, User Requirements Documents, Requirements Analysis, Systems Design, Business Requirements, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Leadership, Engineering Design Process, Performance Measurement, Manufacturing and Production, Coordination, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Decision Making
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University at Buffalo
MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Model Based Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Internet Of Things, Product Lifecycle Management, Enterprise Architecture, Verification And Validation, Simulation and Simulation Software
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
875 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Johns Hopkins University
Foundations of Healthcare Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Health Systems, Systems Engineering, Medical Devices, Health Technology, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Systems Integration, Systems Analysis, System Requirements, System Testing, Concept Of Operations, Solution Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
296 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Systems Thinking Basics
Skills you'll gain: Systems Thinking, Creative Thinking, Innovation, Systems Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Analysis, Business Systems Analysis, Strategic Thinking, Critical Thinking, Organizational Change, Collaboration, Data Visualization
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
61 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Columbia University
Financial Engineering and Risk Management
Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management, Derivatives, Financial Market, Securities (Finance), Investment Management, Financial Systems, Asset Management, Credit Risk, Mortgage Loans, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics, Financial Trading, Financial Modeling, Risk Modeling, Financial Services, Securities Trading, Regression Analysis, Market Liquidity, Capital Markets, Actuarial Science
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
396 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months