For FallEM.

411 Foundations of System Design and Management (16 units MW 11 - 1)

Presents the foundations of systems architecture, systems engineering and project management in
an integrated format, through a synchronized combination of in-class discussion, industrial guest
speakers, team projects, and individual assignments. Topics include stakeholder analysis, project
planning and monitoring, requirements definition, concept generation and selection, complexity
management, system integration, verification and validation, cost modeling, systems safety,
organizational design and effective teamwork, risk management, and leadership styles. Restricted
to students in the SDM program.
O. de Weck, B. Cameron, B. Moser, E. Crawley
1.125 Architecting & Engineering Software Systems (12 units TH 12:30 2)
Software architecting and design of software-intensive systems. Targeted at future CTOs who
must understand both the business and technical issues involved in architecting enterprise-scale
systems. Student teams confront technically challenging problems. Lectures and readings cover
core database, XML, web server components and browser issues in a distributed web service
environment. Enrollment limited.
J. Williams
15.818 Pricing (6 units TH 2:30 - 4)
Framework for understanding pricing strategies and analytics, with emphasis on entrepreneurial
pricing. Topics include economic value analysis, elasticities, customization, complementary
products, pricing in platform markets, and anticipating competitive responses.
C. Tucker
6.814 Database Systems (12 units MW 2:30 4)
Topics related to the engineering and design of database systems, including
data models; database and schema design; schema normalization and
integrity constraints; query processing; query optimization and cost
estimation; transactions; recovery; concurrency control; isolation and
consistency; distributed, parallel and heterogeneous databases; adaptive
databases; trigger systems; pub-sub systems; semi structured data and XML
querying. Lecture and readings from original research papers. Semester-long
project and paper. Students taking graduate version complete different
assignments. Enrollment may be limited.
S. R. Madden
No textbook information available
15.570 Digital Marketing and Social Media Analytics (6 units TH 2:30 - 4)
Provides a detailed, applied perspective on the theory and practice of digital marketing and social
media analytics in the age of big data. Covers concepts such as the difference between earned
and paid media, predictive modeling for ad targeting and customer relationship management,

measuring and managing product virality, viral product design, native advertising, and engaging
the multichannel experience. Stresses the theory and practice of randomized experimentation,
AB testing and the importance of causal inference for marketing strategy. Combines lectures,
case studies, and guest speakers with relevant industry experience that speak directly to the
topics at hand.
S. Aral
15.062[J] Data Mining: Finding the Data and Models that Create Value
Provides an introduction to data mining and machine learning, a class of methods that assist in
recognizing patterns and making intelligent use of massive amounts of data collected via the
internet, e-commerce, electronic banking, point-of-sale devices, bar-code readers, medical
databases, search engines, and social networks. Includes topics in logistic regression, association
rules, tree-structured classification and regression, cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, and
neural network methods. Presents examples of successful applications in areas such as credit
ratings, fraud detection, marketing, customer relationship management, and investments.
Introduces data-mining software. Term project required. Meets with 15.0621 when offered
concurrently. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.
R. E. Welsch

6.0001 Introduction to Computer Science Programming in Python

Introduction to computer science and programming for students with little or no programming
experience. Students develop skills to program and use computational techniques to solve
problems. Topics include the notion of computation, Python, simple algorithms and data
structures, testing and debugging, and algorithmic complexity. Combination of 6.0001 and
6.0002 counts as REST subject. Final given in the seventh week of the term.
6.0002 Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science
Provides an introduction to using computation to understand real-world phenomena. Topics
include plotting, stochastic programs, probability and statistics, random walks, Monte Carlo
simulations, modeling data, optimization problems, and clustering. Combination of 6.0001 and
6.0002 counts as REST subject. Final given during final exam week.
J. V. Guttag

Engineering Systems Analysis for Design

IDS.332 (Risk and Decision Analysis) addresses the fundamental problem in System Design and
Management: How do we deal with uncertainty? How do we cope with risks in demand,
requirements, cost, technology, etc.? The course presents the primary ways to analyze possible
outcomes of design and management strategies: simulation, decision analysis, and lattices. The

overall learning objective is to provide an overall view of the use, benefit, and mechanics of
essential tools for risk and decision analysis.
A final quiz validates your understanding of the material.
IDS.333 (Engineering Systems Analysis for Design) provides the participants with the
opportunity to address the question of how to deal with uncertainty in system design and
management in the context of a personal project. The focus will be on developing a successful
application of techniques to a specific problem of interest to each individual. We will spend
about half the class time on presentations of advanced and subtle concepts: real option theory,
multi-dimensional evaluation and choice, and development of a game plan for implementation.
We will spend the balance of the time on individualized coaching of your projects. This second
half of the semester stresses learning by doing. The project is the vehicle that demonstrates
your overall mastery of the material.

15.565[J] Digital Evolution: Managing Web 3.0 (9 units mgmt elective) (TR 2:30 4)
Examines the evolution from Web 2.0, with its emphasis on interactivity through online
collaboration and sharing among users (primarily through social networking sites, wikis and
communication tools), to Web 3.0, which focuses on high proactivity, transforming the Web into
a database, and the leveraging of artificial intelligence technologies, such as the Semantic Web.
Introduces Management 3.0 and the range of new Web technologies, applications, and business
opportunities and challenges that it supports. Addresses topics such as big data, cloud computing,
and cybersecurity. Includes case studies, industry and academic speakers, discussion of basic
principles, and a team project.
S. Madnick
No textbook information available
15.871 Introduction to System Dynamics
Introduction to systems thinking and system dynamics modeling applied to strategy,
organizational change, and policy design. Students use simulation models, management flight
simulators, and case studies to develop conceptual and modeling skills for the design and
management of high-performance organizations in a dynamic world. Case studies of successful
applications of system dynamics in growth strategy, management of technology, operations,
supply chains, product development, and others. Principles for effective use of modeling in the
real world. Meets with 15.8741 first half of term when offered concurrently. Expectations and
evaluation criteria differ for students taking half-term graduate version; consult syllabus or
instructor for specific details.
D. Keith, H. Rahmandad, N. Repenning, J. Sterm
15.872 System Dynamics II
Continuation of 15.871, emphasizing tools and methods needed to apply systems thinking and
simulation modeling successfully in complex real-world settings. Uses simulation models,
management flight simulators, and case studies to deepen the conceptual and modeling skills

introduced in 15.871. Through models and case studies of successful applications students learn
how to use qualitative and quantitative data to formulate and test models, and how to work
effectively with senior executives to implement change successfully. Prerequisite for further
work in the field. Meets with 15.8741 second half of term when offered concurrently.
Expectations and evaluation criteria differ for students taking half-term graduate version; consult
syllabus or instructor for specific details.
J. D. Sterman, H. Rahmandad, D. Keith

Spring semEM.413 Foundations of System Design and Management III (ESD.413)

Presents advanced concepts in systems architecture, systems engineering and project
management in an integrated manner through lectures, recitations, opportunity sets, guest
lectures, and a semester-long team project. Topics emphasize complexity management, systems
integration, verification, validation, and lifecycle management. Specific lifecycle properties
addressed include quality, safety, robustness, resilience, flexibility and evolvability of systems
over time. Additional topics include monitoring and control, the rework cycle, managing
portfolios and programs of projects in a multi-cultural and global context, and managing product
families and platforms. Restricted to students in the SDM program.
B. Cameron, E. Crawley, B. Moser

6.831 User Interface Design and Implementation (12units engg foundation)

Examines human-computer interaction in the context of graphical user interfaces. Covers human
capabilities, design principles, prototyping techniques, evaluation techniques, and the
implementation of graphical user interfaces. Includes short programming assignments and a
semester-long group project. Students taking the graduate version also have readings from
current literature and additional assignments. Enrollment limited.
R. C. Miller

15.783[J] Product Design and Development (12 units mgmt elective)

Covers modern tools and methods for product design and development. Includes a cornerstone
project in which teams conceive, design and prototype a physical product and/or service. Covers
design thinking, product planning, identifying customer needs, concept generation, product
architecture, industrial design, concept design, green design methods, and product management.

Sloan students register via Sloan course bidding. Engineering students accepted via lottery based
on WebSIS pre-registration.
S. Eppinger, M. C. Yang

15.821 Listening to the Customer (6 units mgmt foundation)

Introduction to soft consumer research methods, useful for getting quick customer input into
decisions on product design and development, strategic positioning, advertising, and branding.
Covers interview techniques, observational methods, voice of the customer, focus groups, and
analyses suitable for qualitative data. Introduces new information-gathering methods in
development at MIT.
D. Prelec

15.665 Power and Negotiation (9 units mgmt elective)

Provides understanding of the theory and processes of negotiation as practiced in a variety of
settings. Designed for relevance to the broad spectrum of bargaining problems faced by the
manager and professional. Allows students an opportunity to develop negotiation skills
experientially and to understand negotiation in useful analytical frameworks. Emphasizes
simulations, exercises, role playing, and cases.

1.001 Engineering Computation and Data Science (12 units engg elective)
Presents fundamentals of computing and programming in an engineering context with an
emphasis on data science. Introduces basics of web computing, data structures, and techniques
for data analysis. Includes filtering, linear regression, simple machine learning (clustering and
classifiers), and visualization. Surveys techniques for ingesting, processing, analyzing, and
visualizing engineering data from a range of fields, including geo-spatial, environment,
infrastructure, city dynamics, and numerical experiments. Students use JavaScript and HTML5
programming language to complete weekly assignments. Students taking graduate version
complete additional assignments.
J. Williams

1.274[J] Manufacturing System and Supply Chain Design (6 units engg foundation)
Focuses on decision making for system design, as it arises in manufacturing systems and supply
chains. Students exposed to frameworks and models for structuring the key issues and trade-offs.
Presents and discusses new opportunities, issues and concepts introduced by the internet and ecommerce. Introduces various models, methods and software tools for logistics network design,
capacity planning and flexibility, make-buy, and integration with product development. Industry

applications and cases illustrate concepts and challenges. Recommended for Operations
Management concentrators. Second half-term subject.
S. C. Graves, D. Simchi-Levi