Graduate Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree requires thirty credits of graduate-level study. For the thesis option, the research and preparation of the thesis may account for a minimum of six credits or a maximum of ten credits. Didactic coursework must account for a minimum of eighteen credits. For the project option, didactic coursework must account for at least twenty-one credits, while research and preparation of the project may account for a minimum of two credits or a maximum of four credits.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree requires sixty credits beyond the M.S. requirement. Didactic coursework must account for at least twenty-seven credits, and of these, fifteen credits must by earned in 700-level courses. It is customary for the remainder of the credit requirement to be dedicated directly to the dissertation, either through course preparation, focused research or writing.

For either the M.S. or Ph.D., the student’s academic advisor must approve all courses taken outside of the IME Department in advance. The total course of study must be approved by the student’s academic advisor, thesis committee and department chair. Students completing graduate degrees within the IME Department responsibility are expected to exhibit demonstrable expertise in the core competencies of either industrial engineering or manufacturing engineering. Students whose undergraduate major is in another field may be required to include some or all of the core competencies in their graduate coursework. For further information in this regard, please consult the IME Department.

All graduate students are required to register for Research Seminar [IME 790] for each semester in residence. This is a one-credit experience for the academic year, but does not count towards the total degree credit requirement.

Each new student must complete a preliminary thesis or project proposal within six months of beginning graduate studies, and it is recommended that this be completed during the first semester in residence. The proposal, if approved by the IME Graduate Studies Committee, will provide the direction for the remainder of the student’s degree work. At the same time, the student will choose a thesis or project advisor from the IME Department faculty. By the end of the first year in residency, the student must have selected a supervisory committee. This committee will be chaired by the faculty advisor and will provide direction, advice and examination of the student’s work and achievement.