Masters degree in systems ‘breaks up comfort zone’

Course will run at Imperial College from October

Imperial College has joined UK construction group Laing O'Rourke to set up a Masters degree in  systems engineering techniques.

The multimillion pound partnership will focus on innovation in the systems engineering field, which looks at how complex engineering projects are designed and managed. 

A Laing O'Rourke Centre in Systems Engineering and Innovation at the College will be established to oversee the course.

The first students will start the two-year, part-time MSc in systems engineering next October. Subjects on the curriculum include the use of smart grids and their stabilisation, optimisation and control of computer software in buildings, and transmission and resilience of computer data between buildings. 

Other modules will focus on energy and environmental policy and their impact on the design of systems for buildings.

Engineers will also study some of the challenges the construction industry faces, such as energy security and climate change and focus on innovation in mechanical and electrical services.

Professor David Fisk, the Laing O'Rourke professor in systems engineering, said: “In designing this course we had in mind an MBA for engineering – a course that would stretch our best young engineers way out of their comfort zone.”