The Division of Professional Education and Training (DPET) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is responding to the staffing needs of regional high-tech industries by offering two graduate programs in Systems Engineering (SE) this fall.

According to officials with Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) Electronic Systems Sector -- headquartered close to UMBC near BWI Airport and a sponsor of the new programs -- the shortage of qualified systems engineers (SEs) is urgent and will grow over the next few years.

"We need 90 to 100 more systems engineers than we currently have, and when you factor in program growth and retirements, Northrop Grumman and many other similar high-technology companies across the region and the nation will continue to face a long term shortage of such specialized technical talent," says Jim Armitage, vice president of Engineering at Northrop Grumman, who played a key role in founding the SE training at UMBC.

The two new programs differ from traditional systems engineering training by offering curricula that is focused more on the technical (i.e., hands-on) side of the field instead of management. UMBC's DPET programs will offer both the masters of science in electrical engineering and the graduate certificate in systems engineering.

Systems engineers typically work on large-scale projects in high-tech industries including aerospace, information technology, defense, transportation, space exploration, manufacturing and telecommunications.

"There will be a heavy emphasis on problem solving, practical application, mentoring by experienced systems engineers and a teamwork approach," says Ted Foster, assistant dean of the college of engineering at UMBC and director of the new SE program.

Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector will select 15 employees to start the first two UMBC classes this fall. Both courses will be taught in UMBC's new, state-of-the-art Information Technology and Engineering building located on UMBC's main campus.

For more information, please visit http://www.csee.umbc.edu/se/ or call 410-455-1564.