What is Cyber-physical

Systems?
Everything You Need to
Know About a Master
of Engineering in
Cyber-physical Systems
Navigate the Cyber-physical Systems Resource
(click to skip to each section)

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What is Cyber-physical Systems? Why I Joined the Cyber-physical
We define the unique and complex field of
Systems Community at
cyber-physical systems. Vanderbilt University
Hear from a graduate of Vanderbilt University’s cyber-physical

Page 6 systems program on the benefits of this respected degree.

Understanding the Professional

Talent Gap in Cyber-physical Page 17
Systems Cyber-physical Systems —
Gain an understanding of the need for CPS engineers today. Frequently Asked Questions
We answer some of your most pressing questions about

Page 7 earning a graduate engineering degree.

Benefits of Cyber-physical
Systems Today Page 20
What are the benefits of CPS technology? We explore the
Admissions Requirements and
impact of CPS technology across industries.
Financial Aid
Find the information you need regarding Vanderbilt University’s
admissions requirements and opportunities for financial aid.
Page 10
Vanderbilt University’s Master
Page 23
of Engineering in Cyber-physical
Systems Reward Your Ambition at
Vanderbilt University
Explore what makes Vanderbilt University’s master of
engineering in cyber-physical systems a strategic choice for Transform your career with a graduate engineering degree

future CPS engineers. from Vanderbilt University School of Engineering.

 What is Cyber-physical Systems?

What is Cyber-physical
Systems?
Cyber-physical systems technology is the crossover between cyber
components and physical devices in which the mechanism is controlled
and monitored by computer-based algorithms.

One of the nine intellectual neighborhoods in Vanderbilt University

School of Engineering, the engineering and science of cyber-physical
systems (CPS) are interdisciplinary in nature, requiring expertise in computer
science, engineering, mathematics, statistics and the full spectrum of the
physical sciences.

Here is how Vanderbilt University School of Engineering defines the

field of cyber-physical systems:

DEFINITION: Cyber-physical systems are engineered systems where

functionalities and salient properties emerge from the networked
interaction of computational and physical components. CPS technology
seeks to develop the processes, networking and technology needed for
the seamless integration of cyber and physics systems.
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 What is Cyber-physical Systems?

What are some examples of cyber-physical systems technology used in daily life?

“
Whether referencing the forward-collision prevention capability of a car, a medical device’s ability to adapt
to circumstances in real-time or the latest IoT (Internet of Things) innovation, these systems are a source of
competitive advantage in today’s innovation economy.

— Department of Homeland Security

”
According to the Department of Homeland Security, examples of cyber-physical systems include “automobiles, medical devices,
building controls and the smart grid” because each includes “smart networked systems with embedded sensors, processors and
actuators that sense and interact with the physical world and support real-time, guaranteed performance in safety-critical applications.”
The DHS also asserts the notion that CPS plays “an increasingly important role in critical infrastructure, government and everyday life.”
 What is Cyber-physical Systems?

According to research from Harvard Business Review regarding the coupling of cyber (software) and physical (hardware) to
revolutionize technology: “Smart, connected products have three core elements: physical components, “smart” components, and
connectivity components. Smart components amplify the capabilities and value of the physical components, while connectivity
amplifies the capabilities and value of the smart components and enables some of them to exist outside the physical product itself.”

CPS technology results in a continuous cycle of improvement and advancement in fields related to technology, medicine, sustainability
and beyond. In this digital resource, we showcase the multifaceted field of cyber-physical systems along with Vanderbilt University’s
respected master of engineering in cyber-physical systems — including why this CPS program is a strategic move for bold
innovators seeking a meaningful career in this growing and complex field.

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 Understanding the Professional Talent Gap in Cyber-physical Systems

Understanding the Professional Talent Gap in

Cyber-physical Systems

It is no secret that technology is complex, multifaceted and forever evolving. This remains true: cyber-physical systems technology
impacts nearly every facet of modern life, and ultimately, CPS technology is responsible for perpetuating technological advancements.

In light of the fact that CPS engineers are largely responsible for the creation of new technology, the demand for CPS talent and skills is
already considerable and only continues to rapidly increase. In fact, currently, companies need more CPS engineers than are available
for hire. Hiring CPS engineers is crucial in developing new applications that will accelerate the creation of new technologies across a
range of occupations and industries.

Companies need more cyber-physical systems engineers than are available for hire.

So, what is the solution? Future experts who wish to enter the field of cyber-physical systems have the option of developing the
knowledge and tools to address this talent gap, drive innovation and impact industry progress by enrolling in a graduate engineering
degree focused on CPS technology.

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 Benefits of Cyber-physical Systems Today

Benefits of Cyber-physical Systems Today

What are the benefits of cyber-physical systems?

Cyber-physical systems technology supports a wide variety of domains and landscapes including the smart grid, smart cities, smart
manufacturing and smart transportation.

According to the Information Technology Laboratory regarding the benefits of cyber-physical systems technology:

“The ability to design and build successful cyber-physical systems will address many national priorities in ways that traditional computer
science cannot in areas as diverse as aerospace, automotive, energy, disaster response, health care, manufacturing and city
management. Standards, protocols and test methods that support the discovery, interoperability and composition of components used
to build these cyber physical systems will promote innovation, improve economic viability at the same time allowing systems to become
more efficient and reduce resource-use.”

The immeasurable benefits of cyber-physical systems is the acceleration of technological progress — progress that positively impacts
countless fields, organizations and ultimately, the lives of others.

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 Benefits of Cyber-physical Systems Today

Impact of CPS Across Industries

The benefits of cyber-physical systems not only affect fields related to engineering; rather, the science of CPS has the capability to
impact technology in a wide variety of industries and organizations. CPS technology allows us to imagine, create, develop, refine
and perpetuate smart systems in fields that result in the betterment of industries, communities and individuals.

Here are just a few ways in which CPS technology has impacted three different industries:

Health care: CPS technology has made a multitude of medical advancements possible. From a smart monitoring
system that tracks cancer patients’ response to treatment to a smart continuous tool that sends data on glucose levels
to the wearer’s smartphone, the field of health care has greatly improved as a result of CPS science and technology.

Agriculture: Sometimes referred to as smart agriculture or digital farming, CPS-related technology has resulted in
advancements that help drive efficiencies on farms: from drones and satellites that relay images related to plant
health to smart sensors on tractors or harvesters that provide information on soil type and condition.

Security: The emergence of smart technology has increased security measures in a variety of ways. “From mobile app
development for real-time remote monitoring to fully fledged intelligent surveillance systems,” CPS technology has
empowered smart security to advance and improve.

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 Benefits of Cyber-physical Systems Today

What is the Difference Between Cyber-physical Systems and IoT?

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are platforms that build upon each other, but what is the difference
between CPS and IoT?

The Internet of Things (sometimes called Industrial Internet of Things) is the technology that enables the inter-connection of all types
of devices through the internet to exchange data, optimize actuators and monitor devices in order to generate results. It is composed of a
complex network of sensors, systems and devices that form new systems and services.

Since CPS consists of computation and control components tightly combined with physical processes of different domains, the
difference between CPS and IoT is that CPS technology provides the foundations for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial
Internet (II), technology platforms that bring advanced connectivity of devices, systems and services in multiple domains. Future
applications of cyber-physical systems and IoT will bring about more transformative changes than the IT revolution has accomplished in
the past three decades.

In fact, one forecast estimates the impact of IoT and CPS to the global GDP to be as high as $15 trillion by 2030.

Building and sustaining a workforce capable of developing, innovating, operating and creating IoT and CPS (and II) applications is a
strategic opportunity critical to accelerating progress and realizing the envisioned societal impacts.

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Vanderbilt University’s Master of Engineering in Cyber-physical Systems

Vanderbilt University’s
Master of Engineering in
Cyber-physical Systems

As a future visionary in the field of cyber-physical systems, you owe it to

yourself to enroll in an inclusive graduate engineering program that will allow
you to engage with and learn from a community of forward-thinking
experts who are leaders in the cyber-physical systems and IoT
community and have a first-hand influence in the future direction of
the field.

A global leader in cyber-physical systems research and education,

Vanderbilt University is uniquely qualified to offer a well-recognized,
cross-disciplinary graduate program in this area. In fact, Vanderbilt faculty
significantly contributed to the formation of the CPS research agenda and are
leaders in the CPS community.

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 Vanderbilt University’s Master of Engineering in Cyber-physical Systems

Currently, there is a lack of interdisciplinary CPS education at the graduate level, as efforts have focused on the cyber domain (computer
science and engineering) or individual engineering domains (electrical, mechanical, civil and biomedical). The purpose of Vanderbilt
University’s CPS program is to provide students with an interdisciplinary education on CPS that cannot be accomplished
via other programs that concentrate on individual engineering domains.

Opportunities for CPS students at Vanderbilt University include:

• Courses that cover computer science foundations for CPS

• Flexible academic curriculum

• Choice of disciplinary engineering courses selected from multiple concentrations

• Classes in project management and leadership

• Capstone project completed at Vanderbilt institutes and research laboratories

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 Vanderbilt University’s Master of Engineering in Cyber-physical Systems

Cyber-physical Systems Research at Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt is classified as a “Research University (very high research activity),” and is engaged in some of the most important engineering
cross-disciplinary research conducted in the nation. Research activity in the School of Engineering can be grouped in nine intellectual
neighborhoods that characterize our distinctive culture of collaboration within and beyond the traditional walls of departments, schools,
institutions and disciplines.

Vanderbilt hosts the CPS Virtual Organization (CPS-VO) –

the national hub for CPS research.

Vanderbilt is a national and international leader in CPS research, receiving substantial research funding in CPS and making a significant
impact in both academic and industrial R&D. CPS-related research at Vanderbilt has been truly interdisciplinary, integrating efforts across
multiple application domains (defense, transportation, energy and health care).

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 Vanderbilt University’s Master of Engineering in Cyber-physical Systems

Cyber-physical Systems Curriculum

The program follows the existing requirements of the master of engineering in cyber-physical systems awarded by the Vanderbilt School
of Engineering (30 credit hours). A model curriculum includes:

1. CPS Foundations (9 hours) - Select from any CPS foundations Application

courses listed below Sectors
Smart &
2. CPS Engineering (6 – 9 hours) - Select from Engineering Connected
Communities
Design and Dependable and Trustworthy CPS Aeronautics Manufacturing

3. CPS Applications (6 - 9 hours) - Select from Embedded Safety

Control Verification

Systems, Control Engineering, Robotics, Transportation Autonomy Information

Management Design
Automotive Data Agriculture
Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering Analytics
CPS Core
4. Project Management and Leadership (3 hours) - Select from Real-time systems
Networking

Human in the
Project Management and Leadership Security
Loop Privacy Civil
Energy
loT
5. Capstone Project (3 hours) - One of CS 8390, BME 7899,
CE 7899, EECE 7899, ENVE 7899, or ME 7899 Medical Materials

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 Vanderbilt University’s Master of Engineering in Cyber-physical Systems

We have a flexible academic curriculum that cuts across multiple departments and allows students to tailor their studies to their professional
interests and goals by selecting courses from different concentrations. Courses that can be used for fulfilling the degree requirements
(organized in concentrations related to CPS) include:

CPS Foundations Engineering Design of CPS Dependable and Trustworthy CPS

CS 6375 - Discrete-Event Systems: Supervisory CS 5266 - Topics in Big Data CE 5300 - Reliability and Risk Case Study
Control and Diagnosis CS 5262 - Foundations of Machine Learning CE 5999 - Risk and Decision Analysis
CS 6376 - Foundations of Hybrid and CS 5283 - Computer Networks
CS 5285 - Network Security
Embedded Systems CS 6362 - Advanced Machine Learning
CS 6315 - Automated Verification
CS 6377 - Topics in Embedded Software CE 5240 - Infrastructure Systems Engineering
and Systems CE 5999 - Data Analytics for Engineers CS 6386 - System-Level Fault Diagnosis
CS 6388 - Model-Integrated Computing CE 6300 - Probabilistic Methods in
EECE 6311 - Systems Theory Engineering Design
EECE 6321 - Cyber-physical Systems CE 6305 - Engineering Design Optimization
EECE 6343 - Digital Systems Architecture CE 6310 - Uncertainty Quantification
EECE 6354 - Advanced Real-Time Systems ME 8353 - Design of Electromechanical Systems

Embedded Systems Control Engineering Robotics

CE 5500 - Transportation System Design EECE 5257 - Control Systems I EECE 6356 - Intelligent Systems
CE 5510 - Traffic Engineering EECE 5358 - Control Systems II and Robotics
ME 5236 - Linear Control Theory ME 5271 - Introduction to Robotics
ME 8351 - Adaptive Control ME 8331 - Robot Manipulators
ME 8352 - Non-linear Control Theory

Transportation Engineering Biomedical Engineering Project Management and Leadership

EECE 5218 - Microcontrollers BME 5200 - Principles and Applications ENGM 6500 - Engineering Leadership and
EECE 5376 - Embedded Systems of BioMEMS Program Management
BME 5301 - Therapeutic Bioengineering
BME 7310 - Advanced Computational
Modeling and Analysis

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BME 7390 - Smart Health Technology
BME 7410 - Quantitative Methods
Why I Joined the Cyber-physical Systems Community at Vanderbilt University

Why I Joined the Cyber-

physical Systems Community
at Vanderbilt University

What is your name, location, graduation year and current role?

My name is Ron Picard, and I graduated with a master of engineering in cyber-
physical systems from Vanderbilt University in 2019. I am currently working as
a computer engineer.

How did Vanderbilt University’s interdisciplinary approach to CPS

affect your experience in the program?
This interdisciplinary approach to cyber-physical systems provided flexibility
for students from diverse backgrounds and allowed us to to collaborate and
assimilate each other’s skill sets.

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 Why I Joined the Cyber-physical Systems Community at Vanderbilt University

What was the most challenging element of the program?

A foundation in theoretical computer science is needed to better understand the domain. I had to pick this up on the side as I went along,
but it was well worth it. Learning domain language and techniques that enable effective CPS was also the most exciting and eye-opening
element of the program.

Did you engage in a research project while enrolled in the program? If so, tell us about that research project.
In my capstone project, I had the opportunity to train, test and analyze action schema neural networks to play wargaming scenarios.

How did Vanderbilt’s program encourage you to become a better leader in the field?
I grew significant knowledge of the vast domain space, acquired disciplined work ethic and project leadership skills. The master of
engineering in cyber-physical systems provided me with respect in the field and significantly opened up future career opportunities.

Please tell us about one faculty member who has inspired and positively influenced your experience.
It is difficult to say since many of the professors impacted my time at Vanderbilt in personal and knowledge-granting ways. One use
case of this is that Dr. Xenofon Koutsoukos provided a motivating case for a CPS career and led a phenomenal deep learning class.
A second use case of this is that Dr. Taylor Johnson provided an in-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art formal verification techniques,
tools and methods as well as a unique perspective on industry. There are countless more. I will always look back on my time at Vanderbilt
with the utmost gratitude.

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 Cyber-physical Systems — Frequently Asked Questions

Cyber-physical Systems —
Frequently Asked Questions

At Vanderbilt University, we understand that choosing to pursue a graduate

degree is an important decision that comes with a variety of questions.
In an effort to guide you as you consider enrolling in a graduate engineering
degree at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering, we outlined a
variety of the most frequently asked questions we receive from
prospective students.

Why should I return to school for a graduate degree now?

Research shows that tuition for higher education has one of the highest
inflation rates of any commodity. In other words, if you know that you
eventually want to obtain a graduate degree, it will never be more affordable
than it is now.

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 Cyber-physical Systems — Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a related bachelor’s degree to enroll in this graduate program?

Entering students generally are expected to have baccalaureate degrees in engineering, mathematics or the physical sciences.

What is Vanderbilt’s CPS program known for?

Vanderbilt researchers significantly contributed to the formation of the CPS research agenda, are leaders in the CPS community and have
significant influence in the future direction of the field. Vanderbilt is also a national and international leader in CPS research, receiving
substantial research funding in CPS and making a significant impact in academic and industrial research.

Will I have the opportunity to secure an internship?

Yes, while enrolled in the CPS program, professionals at Vanderbilt University assist all students in securing an internship prior
to graduation.

What are the limitations for transferring graduate-level coursework?

A maximum of 6 hours of graduate-level coursework may be transferred from another institution.

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 Cyber-physical Systems — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the city of Nashville like?

From serving as home to the nation’s largest Kurdish population to being named America’s friendliest city for three years in a row, Nashville
is a metropolitan area that proudly exudes all of the charm and hospitality one expects from a Southern capital. To learn more about
Nashville, explore Our Hometown: Nashville page.

Where can I go to apply for this program?

If you are ready to transform your future with the master of engineering in cyber-physical systems, visit our admissions page.

I have more questions. Who can I speak to at Vanderbilt University?

For more information on the CPS program, contact Xenofon Koutsoukos, Program Director.

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 Admissions Requirements and Financial Aid

Admissions Requirements
and Financial Aid

Vanderbilt University is one of the most respected universities and research

institutions in the world, and we are proud to offer a cutting-edge, rigorous
master of engineering in cyber-physical systems program. The majority
of students currently in the program have an undergraduate degree in
engineering, the physical sciences or mathematics. The School of
Engineering admits students for the fall (August), spring (January) and
summer (June) terms.

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 Admissions Requirements and Financial Aid

Applications must be submitted online, but to help you understand the admissions criteria, explore the basic requirements below:

• Online application
• Academic performance in previous degree program(s)
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose
• TOEFL score (if applicable)

An admissions committee with representative faculty from the involved departments will evaluate all applications for admission to
the master of engineering program in CPS. Admission will be competitive and students will be selected on the basis of their scholastic
preparation and intellectual capacity.

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 Admissions Requirements and Financial Aid

Financial Aid

When making the important decision to invest in a master of engineering in cyber-physical systems, it is crucial you understand the
benefits of that investment. By pursuing a graduate degree, you will build a network of expert faculty and industry professionals while
positioning yourself for a multitude of lucrative and meaningful career opportunities.

At Vanderbilt University, we understand to finance graduate school, financial planning is a must. For this reason, I invite you to explore
Vanderbilt’s Office of Financial Aid for the chance to learn more about the financial aid options and graduate fellowships available to you.

Explore Office of Financial Aid

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 Reward Your Ambition at Vanderbilt University

Reward Your Ambition at Vanderbilt University

At Vanderbilt University, we are dedicated to approaching education from a holistic perspective — educating the whole person and
building a diverse community of driven, innovative engineering professionals. You have the opportunity to advance your skill set and
transform your career by pursuing a master of engineering in cyber-physical systems at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering.

If you are ready to reward your ambition and join a community of visionary experts, we encourage you to connect with us soon.

Request More Information Explore School of Engineering

Start an Application Contact Us

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