Utilization of e-Learning Tools, Virtual Machines, & Open Source Software to Enhance Graduate Systems Engineering Programs Dr. Maurice Eugene Dawson Jr. School of Engineering Morgan State University United States dr.mauricedawson@yahoo.com Dr. Darrell Norman Burrell School of Business Virginia International University United States darrell.burrell@yahoo.com Mr. William Emanuel School of Engineering Morgan State University United States emanuel@peopleofcolor1.com Abstract: This paper is a report on the findings of a study conducted on a graduate systems engineering course at an urban university in a group learning environment. The course, IEGR 501 Introduction to Advanced Systems Engineering, was a sixteen week course which took students with backgrounds in Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering and prepared them to understand the systems engineering subject matter more. As the future of education becomes more and more virtual it becomes essential that universities take full advantage of the available tools at their disposal. In the book Technology's Promise: Expert Knowledge on the Transformation of Business and Society written by W. E. Halah mentioned is the shift of societies online. As education is one of these societies it is essential we fully integrate e-learning into engineering curriculum. The purpose of this paper is to present an argument and discussion on the subject concerning the utilization of e-learning tools, Virtual Machines (VMs), and Open Source Software (OSS) to enhance graduate systems engineering program. As discovered in this particular course many of the students did not have a strong background in OSS thus this allowed a portion of the course to be taught using Linux distributions in VMs. This paper shall also highlight specific the entire systems engineering lifecycle and where the injection of these tools have taken place. As systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field of engineering that focuses on how complex projects should be designed and managed over the life cycle of the project it is essential that professor instruct in that manner as well. Due to the recent economic events in the United States (U.S.) and other countries many projects must find ways to reduce cost without reducing scope thus OSS is the solution. As the times continually change the curriculum and tools utilized must change at the same time. Key Words: e-Learning Tools, Virtual Machines, Open Source Software, Systems Engineering Course Enhancement. Introduction This evaluated course, IEGR 501 Introduction to Advanced Systems Engineering, introduces students to a logical approach to design, realizing, operating, managing and disposal of a system. The key principles are taken from the NASA’s Systems Engineering Handbook and the International Council of Systems Engineers Handbook, v3.1. Also this course covers the identification and analysis of business processes and systems. The focus is on current approaches for business management of systems and processes. This course is designed to cover the traditional systems development life cycle (SDLC), although alternative methodologies are also discussed. Focus on the earlier - 2088 -