SE4150 Systems Architecting and Design

The use of models, from stakeholder needs to requirements, to system functional and physical architecture, through performance specification, for the basis for architecting and designing complex technical systems. This course provides the student with the language, terminology, concepts, methods, and tools of system architecting and design, including exploring the relationship between science, art, and deductive and inductive processes. Topics covered include architecture modeling (e.g. Hatley/Hruschka/Pirbhai and Rummler-Brache Methods), architectural frameworks (including Zachman and DoDAF), object oriented modeling approaches using Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Systems Modeling Language (SysML), human and cultural aspects of architecturing and design, requirements generation and definition, and knowledge formation and distribution. Students carry out projects and assignments both individually and as teams.

Prerequisite

SE3100 or SI4021

Lecture Hours

3

Lab Hours

2

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Generate architectural products (operational, functional, and physical system descriptions) using a MBSE tool and demonstrate traceability between elements in the model.

  • Construct alternative system architectures for balanced system solutions, applying design heuristics and divergent thinking. Demonstrate their feasibility through simulation.

  • Conduct architectural trades, analyze and compare alternative architectures, and justify architecture recommendations with appropriate analysis.

  • Apply system architecture frameworks appropriately in their role in architecture description and development. Determine and create the artifacts specified by a framework for a given situation (primarily DoDAF).