MS in Industrial Engineering

The Master of Science (MS) in Industrial Engineering program provides advanced study beyond the baccalaureate degree for those with initial degrees in industrial engineering as well as for those from other disciplines who wish to enter the field.

Students admitted to the MS IE program can choose between five different academic curriculums: Industrial Engineering (the most flexible), Data Analytics Engineering, Operations Research, Human Factors/Ergonomics and Production Systems. Each is described in more detail below.

Students can also select from three different academic tracks: all course, project or research thesis. Students who select the project track complete 3 credits of capstone project work at a company. Students who select the research thesis track do so in the areas of human factors, operations research, or production systems. 

In addition to the degree requirements specified by the UB Graduate School and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, specific program and degree requirements for MS/ME students are as follows:

The MS program require a minimum of 30 credit hours. 

Generally, coursework is completed in 1 to 2 years. Courses should be selected by the student with the approval of their advisor (or the graduate director) and vary based on the primary interests of the student (general IE, operations research, human factors, or production systems/manufacturing), and whether they will complete a thesis. 

The culminating experience of the MS program may be fulfilled in one of three ways:

1. By completing a formal research thesis representing 3 to 6 credits, satisfactory performance in an oral defense of thesis examination, and completion of 24 to 27 credits of nonthesis course work.
2. By passing a written comprehensive examination (professional portfolio) based on a degree program consisting of at least 30 hours of course work.
3. By completing a hands-on capstone project based on work at a company that leads to measurable improvements in quality, cost, efficiency, build-to-order flexibility, time-to-market, customer satisfaction, or other key performance indicators.