Industrial Engineering

Coordinator: Alexis N. Sommers, Professor, Ph.D., Purdue University

As an established engineering discipline, industrial engineering in its modern phase designs, builds, and optimizes systems in all parts of modern life, including manufacturing, government, education, aerospace, transportation, logistics, and service industries. The M.S.I.E. program provides graduate education for industrial engineers and for engineers and scientists in other disciplines who seek advanced course work in systems optimization, quality assurance, manufacturing, engineering management, procurement, and the efficient use of both human and technological resources. The program offers excellent preparation for advancement in manufacturing organizations and for those seeking management positions in operations, supply chain, and technology.

M.S.I.E. Placement

For candidates holding the B.S.I.E. or similar degree, with a QPR of 3.0 or higher from an ABET-accredited program, the M.S.I.E. can be obtained with as few as 30 credits. Inadequate undergraduate preparation or prerequisite deficiencies identified by the coordinator or faculty advisor may result in a requirement of more than 30 credits. For candidates not holding a B.S.I.E. from an accredited institution, the expectation is 45 credits for the M.S.I.E. degree.

Certain courses may be waived for qualified candidates, reducing the expectation to less than 45 credits. A plan of study incorporating waivers, required courses, transfers, or substitutions, is prepared for each candidate in the first term of attendance at the university. The plan of study is modified as needed as a student progresses through the program. A capstone project or thesis is required of all candidates, and constitutes an elective. Projects are often team efforts involving an industrial or corporate problem.

A required course can be waived if a candidate can provide the program coordinator with evidence that the course content was learned elsewhere, and he or she earned a grade of B or better. Transcripts, course syllabi, textbooks, and testimonials are the usual evidence of equivalent learning. In some cases, an examination may be required. Course waivers, transfer credits, or substitutions are signed by the program coordinator and filed with the Graduate Registrar. Credit may be transferred from other institutions, and a required course may sometimes be replaced by a substitute course, all with the approval of an advisor or program coordinator. In no case, however, will the M.S.I.E. be awarded for less than 30 credits taken at the university.

Admission Policy

Candidates for admission are expected to hold an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, or business with strong quantitative background granted by a regionally accredited U.S. institution or recognized foreign university. Competency in mathematics through calculus is also expected. Deficiencies can be remedied by enrolling in certain undergraduate and graduate courses at the university. Courses are taught in English, and proficiency scores must satisfy Graduate School requirements. Decisions on admission are made after a careful review of candidates application portfolio.

Research Project/Thesis Requirement

All students in the program complete a thesis or an appropriate special project that partially fulfills the elective requirements. The special project requirement usually can be satisfied by a group research project course. A designated area of study may be indicated for each research project course; the instructor will offer direction and assist students in the development of substantial individual projects. Particular requirements or prerequisites may be set for the course. With special approval, a student may elect to write a thesis or take an individual research project course (as listed in the catalog).