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 
Management of Complex Processes (CM_ComplPro)

One of the biggest challenges encountered in management is recognizing opportunities and making use of them while giving consideration to the associated risks. The constantly increasing dynamism and complexity of the environment in which companies and organizations operate is, however, making it difficult to take successful decisions. Multifactorial correlations, non-linearities, feedback effects and time lags make it difficult to correctly predict the impacts of a decision.
Students gain insight into the methods and tools employed for decision-making when faced with complex questions. They learn about cause-and-effect diagrams and quantitative simulation models and apply these in case studies.

Learning Objectives

Students

  • are familiar with the systemic approach, can correctly identify the limits of a system and are aware that models only depict reality imperfectly
  • are able to analyze complex processes applying the correct methodology and communicate about them
  • know how to manage conflicts of objectives with the correct methodology (e.g. costs versus quality)
  • can depict complex processes as a cause-and-effect network
  • can depict technical and operational processes in the form of an event-orientated simulation model
  • are familiar with the most important steps of a simulation study
  • understand the problem-solving cycle as a creative process
  • have learned to implement systemic problem-solving methods in operational practice

Contents of Module

  1. Basics of types of decision, decision making process and six sources of influence
  2. Shared mental models 
  3. Introduction to system dynamics (causal loop diagrams, stocks and flows, analysis of dynamic system behavior)
  4. Simulation paradigms applied to understand behavior of dynamic systems governed by human decisions

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lecture with examples to be solved in a group. Exercises and case studies.

Literature

  • Sterman J: Business Dynamics. McGraw-Hill (2010). ISBN 978-0071068123
  • Senge P.: Die fünfte Disziplin. Klett-Cotta (2008). ISBN 978-3608913798
  • Warren K.: Competitive Strategy Dynamics. Wiley (2002) ISBN 978-0471899495
  • Sherwood D.: Den Wald vor lauter Bäumen sehen. Wiley (2003). ISBN 978-3527500574
  • Gandolfi, A: Von Menschen und Ameisen. Orell Füssli (2001). ISBN 978-3280026694
  • Vester F.: The Art of Interconnected Thinking (2007) ISBN 978-3-939314-05-9
  • Probst G. & Ulrich H.: Anleitung zum ganzheitlichen Denken und Handeln (1988) ISBN 3-258-03976-3 - Pensée globale et management : résoudre les problèmes complexes (1989) ISBN 2-7081-1066-7
  • Law, A.M.: Simulation modeling and analysis. McGraw Hill Boston (2006). ISBN 978-0071255196
  • Patterson K., Grenny J., Maxfield D., McMillan R., Switzler A.: Influencer (2008) ISBN 13: 978-0-07-148499-2. 

Download full module description

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