The Master of Science in Systems Engineering (MSSE) program has been created with substantial industry input. It covers systems definition, requirements, and specifications, as well as systems design, implementation, and operation. Students specialize in one or more of the following: robotics, cybersecurity, computer and software, control, manufacturing, transportation or process systems, communications and networking, signal processing, or operations research. Students also may specialize in any other area upon which they and their advisor mutually agree. The program draws on the engineering, computer science, and management experience of University of Maryland faculty, and makes optimum use of the university's advanced facilities, including commercial and open-source software tools for model-based systems engineering (MBSE). In addition, the University of Maryland's proximity to Washington, D.C. offers advantages and convenience for those seeking employment in, or already employed by, the federal government and the many private industries supporting it. The State of Maryland also has companies that serve the commercial and consumer markets (e.g. bioscience, health care, information technology).