MSE Master of Science in Engineering

The Swiss engineering master's degree

Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories: 

  • 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
    TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules.
  • 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
    FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation.
  • 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
    CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.

In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:

  • instruction
  • documentation
  • examination 
Engineering of safety critical systems (TSM_SafeSys)

Safety-critical systems are those systems whose failure could result in loss of life. An aircraft such as an airliner has more than one safety critical systems.

The engineering activities required to design and manage these complex systems over their life cycles require a deep understanding of several disciplines and a systematic approach to problems such as:

  • Requirements engineering
  • Requirement based testing
  • Validation and verification of complex function
  • Managing human factors and teams

In this module the students will have an overview of Safety Critical Systems and related engineering activities and how these actitivties must be planned and executed in order to lead to successful certification and continued airworthiness.

Prerequisites

The students are expcted to have basic knowledge of aircraft engineering such as:

  • Aerodynamics
  • Aircaft Structures
  • Understanding of Aircraft Systems
  • Understanding of Aircraft Propulsion
  • Basic concepts of Maintenance
  • Safety:
    • System Safety
    • Safety Process

 

Learning Objectives

Understand core engineering and human-centered disciplines necessary to successful design, development and continued airworthiness of Safety Critical Systems (SCS).

The student are expected to acquire the following competencies:

  • Understanding of safety critical system
  • Be able to apply system engineering principles
  • Understanding of system components qualification
  • Understanding of aircraft certification process
  • Logic of human behaviour

Contents of Module

Syllabus:

  1. Introduction to Safety Critical Systems (SCS): General Concepts, Examples of SCS
  2. Review of System Engineering Principles
  3. Requirements: Writing, Verification and Validation, Testing
  4. Safety Process: SAE-ARP-4761
  5. Safety Development Assurance Level: SAE-ARP-4754A
  6. Unmanned Aircraft: Concept of Operations, Holistic Approach/SORA, Integration with Manned Aviation
  7. Robustness, Redundancy, Dissimilarity and Integrity
  8. Modeling and Simulation: Introduction
  9. Modeling and Simulation of SCS
  10. Testing of SCS
  11. Human Reliability
  12. Personality Motivation / Interpersonal Skills
  13. Stress & Resilience
  14. Safety Culture & Team Performance

Teaching and Learning Methods

  • All lectures are strictly connected to current aviation practice and, where feasible, practical examples will be provided
  • Real world examples with lessons learned will be provided for self study

Literature

  • SAE-ARP-4754A - Guidelines For Development Of Civil Aircraft and Systems

  • Aircraft Design - A Systems Engineering Approach M. H. Sadraey, Wiley Aerospace Engineering

  • SAE-ARP4761 - Guidelines And Methods For Conducting The Safety Assessment Process On Civil Airborne Systems And Equipment

  • DO-178B, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification

Download full module description

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