Teaching an Engineering Systems Doctoral Seminar: Concepts and Structure

Abstract

This paper describes the current state of the evolving engineering systems doctoral seminar in the Engineering Systems Division (ESD) at MIT. This subject is required for all first year engineering systems doctoral students. It is intended to bring them into the culture of ESD, and to establish a common base on which subsequent subjects can build. It is the first of three required subjects that make up the core of the ESD doctoral program. The seminar is intended to provide students with the foundations and context of engineering systems, largely focused on providing an appreciation for the many facets of socio-technical complexity. We discuss the seminar’s pedagogy, learning objectives, assignments and readings, and provide insights gained from teaching the course.