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There are 4 modules in this course
This Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) course and the Digital Thread courses featured earlier in this specialization bring together the concepts from across digital manufacturing and design, forming a vision in which the geometry of a product is just one way of describing it. MBSE is where the model resulting from the evolution of system requirements, design, analysis, verification and validation activities is the focus of design and manufacturing. Students will gain an understanding of systems engineering, the model-based approach to design and manufacturing, the Digital Twin, and a roadmap toward a model-based enterprise.
Students will be able to explain the value and expectations of systems engineering and model-based systems engineering, and the underlying motivations and opportunities represented by a model-based enterprise. They will develop the knowledge necessary to perform a baseline assessment of an organization’s potential to leverage MBSE.
Main concepts of this course will be delivered through lectures, readings, discussions and various videos.
This is the eighth course in the Digital Manufacturing & Design Technology specialization that explores the many facets of manufacturing’s “Fourth Revolution,” aka Industry 4.0, and features a culminating project involving creation of a roadmap to achieve a self-established DMD-related professional goal. To learn more about the Digital Manufacturing and Design Technology specialization, please watch the overview video by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser: https://youtu.be/wETK1O9c-CA
The purpose of this module is to establish a basic understanding of Systems Engineering and the role it plays in design and manufacturing. At the end of the module, learners will be able to explain a Systems Engineering process and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the approach.
What's included
6 videos5 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 38 minutes
Introduction: MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering•3 minutes
Introduction to Systems Engineering•9 minutes
Introduction to Systems Engineering (Part 2)•7 minutes
MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering --Week 1 Quiz•30 minutes
Model-Based Systems Engineering
Module 2•5 hours to complete
Module details
The purpose of this module is to explain Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and its applications. Upon completion, learners will be able to assess a process for MBSE opportunities and develop an argument for implementation. The learners will also be able to develop a strategy on how to implement applications of MBSE.
MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering --Week 2 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Is there an elephant in the room?•10 minutes
Applications of Model-Based Systems Engineering
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
Learners will develop an appreciation of the Model-Based Enterprise, including the benefits and barriers to successful implementation. Learners will be able to identify potential opportunities for the adoption of a Model-Based Enterprise.
What's included
5 videos4 readings5 assignments
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 40 minutes
The Model-Based Enterprise - Part 1•9 minutes
The Model-Based Enterprise - Part 2•5 minutes
The Model-Based Enterprise and the Digital Thread•9 minutes
Business Aspects of the Model-Based Enterprise•10 minutes
Realizing a Model-Based Enterprise•6 minutes
4 readings•Total 75 minutes
Additional (optional) Resources:•30 minutes
Additional (optional) Resources:•10 minutes
Additional (optional) Resources:•20 minutes
Additional (optional) Resources:•15 minutes
5 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Self-check•9 minutes
Self-check•6 minutes
Self-check•9 minutes
Self-check•6 minutes
MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering --Week 3 Quiz•30 minutes
Model-Based Enterprise
Module 4•8 hours to complete
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop an understanding of the MBE Self Assessment tools. At the end of the module, learners will be able to go through a tool to analyze MBE maturity.
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Learner reviews
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SD
5·
Reviewed on Feb 3, 2020
Very exhaustive and informative..would greatly benefit my academics and my profession.. recommend this to others engaged in Digital Manufacturing / IOT / System Engineering domain
K
KP
4·
Reviewed on Jul 4, 2020
Good course, even without the specialization's previous courses it is easy to understand. I would recommend to do a course on system engineering first.
L
LP
5·
Reviewed on Oct 23, 2022
easy to understand. great examples. nice to have the text as well.i disagreed with a few of the quiz answers, and sent comments as i went through the course. i have screenshots if needed.
What will I actually learn in this model-based systems engineering course?
You'll learn how systems engineering and MBSE help teams describe and manage a product beyond just its geometry. It starts with core systems engineering ideas and lifecycle models, then moves into model-based definition and the broader shift toward a model-based enterprise. You'll reinforce that through guided checks, for example by comparing lifecycle approaches or judging an organization's readiness for MBSE.
Do I need any systems engineering background before starting this course?
No, you don't need prior systems engineering experience to start. The course begins with core ideas like the systems engineering process and lifecycle models before moving into MBSE, so it doesn't assume you've already worked with these methods. Some familiarity with engineering or manufacturing language may help the examples feel more natural, but prior MBSE knowledge isn't expected.
Is this course beginner-friendly for MBSE?
Yes, it's beginner-friendly if you're new to MBSE and want a guided introduction rather than a tool-focused deep dive. The course explains the basics first and uses lessons, readings, and short assessments to build toward topics like model-based definition and enterprise readiness. It may feel less beginner-friendly if you're looking for software training or extensive project work.
How long does it take to complete this MBSE course?
Plan on about 21 hours to finish the course. At roughly 10 hours a week, that comes out to about two weeks of study, or longer if you prefer shorter sessions. The course includes video lessons, readings, self-checks, quizzes, and a few discussion-style activities.
Are there hands-on exercises or projects in this course?
Yes, but the practice is mostly guided exercises rather than tool-based labs or open-ended projects. You'll work through self-checks and quizzes that ask you to compare lifecycle models, distinguish verification from validation, or assess model-based enterprise maturity in a scenario. That helps you apply each idea as you learn it, even though the course isn't centered on software builds.
What skills and topics are covered in this MBSE course?
It covers systems engineering fundamentals, MBSE methods, and the organizational side of moving toward a model-based enterprise. You'll study topics like SysML, model-based definition, verification versus validation, and the digital thread in the context of design and manufacturing. By the end, you should have a clearer view of how models support communication, traceability, and decision-making across a product lifecycle.
What can I actually do after finishing this MBSE course?
After finishing, you should be able to explain the value of MBSE, compare it with more document-based approaches, and discuss where it fits in design and manufacturing work. You should also be able to do a baseline readiness or maturity review, such as identifying an organization's model-based enterprise level and spotting gaps in its data exchange or planning process. That's a solid outcome if your goal is to evaluate or support MBSE adoption, not just recognize the terminology.
Is this course more theory or hands-on?
It's more concept-first than hands-on. Most of the course is built around lessons, readings, and guided checks that help you understand MBSE, systems engineering, and enterprise adoption, so it's best for learners who want a clear framework rather than a tool-heavy workflow.
Why choose this model-based systems engineering course over others?
This course is a strong choice if you want MBSE taught in the context of design, manufacturing, and the digital thread, not just as a modeling language. It starts with systems engineering basics, then builds into model-based definition, SysML, model-based enterprise, and even maturity assessment using the NIST self-assessment approach. If you want to understand both the technical ideas and how an organization might adopt them, this course is a better fit than a narrower tool-only introduction.