Industrial Engineering is a broad discipline that encompasses education and basic/applied research concerning the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, material, information, equipment, and energy. Graduate instruction and research are broadly grouped into three categories: manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, and industrial systems. Current research interests include manufacturing processes and systems, statistical, quality control, failure and life cycle analysis, mathematical optimization of complex production systems, condition monitoring, reliability engineering, statistical machine learning, distributed sensor networks, manufacturing process monitoring and diagnosis, set-covering theory, simulation environments, polymeric materials, nanomaterials processing and applications, additive thin-film manufacturing, printed electronics, carbon nanotube based functional materials, advanced composites and multi-scale materials, simulation for material processing, composite material processing.
The department offers a variety of Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (MSIE) program options to accommodate students' needs and specializations. Students may pursue a traditional MS or an MS with specialization in engineering management. The traditional MS program is research based, requiring the students to write and defend a thesis in their chosen area. However, the Master of Science with specialization in engineering management (MSIE-EM) does not require a thesis. The department also offers a BS-MS combined pathway, which provides students with a unique opportunity to complete graduate education on an accelerated schedule. Additionally, the department offers an MS in Systems Engineering (MSSE), a course-based, non-thesis degree designed for both full-time students and full-time working professionals. The Industrial Engineering Graduate Handbook, which is available from the department, provides a complete description of all programs and requirements.