Graduate Field
Systems Engineering
Program Description
Systems program students will pursue methodologies that are relevant for planning, optimizing, and executing transdisciplinary solution efforts for design and operational problems in engineering, business, and the social sciences. The program also serves as a natural home for multidisciplinary research projects that require the cooperation of researchers from different domains. Cornell University has a long tradition of fostering projects that are large in scope. With a focus on the study of the structure and behavior of complex systems, the program provides the methodological foundation for carrying out such projects. This degree is intended for students who are interested in a research career in systems science and engineering as opposed to our M.Eng. program which is intended for students interested in working in applications after graduation.
Concentrations
Program Information
- Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
- Program Location: Ithaca, NY
Program Requirements
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 8
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: Second Year
- Examination for admission to candidacy (A Exam): Third Year
- Defense of Dissertation (B Exam): Fifth Year
Field Specific Milestones
- Qualifying Examination (Q Exam): First Year
Course Requirements
Additional course requirements may be set by the student’s Special Committee. Program specific requirements that apply to all students are included below.
Year 1 and Year 2 (Fall)
Year 1 and Year 2 (Spring)
Graduate School Enrollment Requirements
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students each semester through graduation. These courses include:
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Admissions
Application Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Fall, January 18; no spring admission
Requirements Summary
For additional requirements for applying, please refer to the Systems Engineering Admission Requirements page.
Admissions Contact Information
Email: systemseng@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-254-8998
Campus Address: 606 Rhodes Hall
Website: https://www.duffield.cornell.edu/sys/systems-phd/
