Masters Programs & Courses
We offer degrees in the following:
- M.S. and M.Eng. in Industrial Engineering
- M.S. in Management Science
- M.S. in Information and Systems Engineering
- M.S. in Quality Engineering
- M.S. in Analytical Finance
- M.B.A. and Engineering
Curriculum
Several programs leading to master's degrees are offered by the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. All ISE graduate students are required to satisfy core requirements in manufacturing and operations research. To satisfy the core requirement in manufacturing, the student must complete either IE 340 or IE 342. To satisfy the core requirement in operations research, the student must complete either IE 305 or IE 316. Core requirements may also be satisfied by previous course work. In this case, the student must petition the ISE graduate committee to wave the core requirement in the relevant area. All core course prerequisites must also be satisfied. Prerequisites may be satisfied by (1) previous course work, (2) completing the prerequisite course without graduate credit, or (3) passing the final examination of the prerequisite course with a grade of B or better.
Master’s Level Programs
The Master of Science and Master of Engineering degrees require:
- At least 30 semester hours of graduate work;
- At least 18 hours of 400-level courses;
- At least 18 hours of industrial engineering;
- At least 15 hours of 400-level courses in industrial engineering.
Areas of Graduate Study
Manufacturing Systems and Processes
Graduate study in manufacturing involves course work and research in any of a variety of subjects, including manufacturing processes, automation, robotics, numerical control, computer integrated manufacturing, process control, material handling, and production scheduling. In manufacturing processes, the department specializes in the material removal processes, such as machining (e.g., turning, milling, drilling, grinding) and nontraditional processes (e.g., water jet cutting, electrochemical machining). Additional manufacturing process technologies are covered in other departments in the P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, in particular, the materials science and engineering department.
Operations Research
The operations research graduate area is intended to prepare students to analyze, formulate, and solve problems using analytical methods and computational techniques. Topics emphasized in the department include mathematical programming, combinatorial optimization, queuing theory, neural networks, and stochastic processes. There are many settings in which operations research problems are encountered, but those which arise in the context of manufacturing are of particular interest to the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Students can expect to study challenging problems at both the master's and doctoral levels.
Information Systems
Graduate study in information systems covers the methodological and technological development of computer information systems. Of particular interest at Lehigh are the systems needed to drive integrated manufacturing and service industries. Such systems are becoming increasingly important in the trend toward real-time planning and control, with embedded decision making capabilities. Topics include data communication, telecommunication and computer networks, database processing systems, artificial intelligence and expert systems, object-oriented technology, and computer-based production planning and inventory control. The information systems area is further supplemented by courses offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
To see Lehigh University's Online Course Catalog, click here.
Master of Science in Industrial Engineering & Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering
Requirements
All graduate students in the Industrial Engineering programs are required to satisfy core requirements in manufacturing and operations research. To satisfy the core requirement in manufacturing, the student must complete either IE 319 or IE 324 or IE 340. To satisfy the core requirement in operations research, the student must complete either IE 404 or IE 426. Core requirements may also be satisfied by previous coursework. In this case, the student must petition the ISE graduate committee to wave the core requirement in the relevant area. All core course prerequisites must also be satisfied. Prerequisites may be satisfied by (1) previous course work, (2) completing the prerequisite course without graduate credit, or (3) passing the final examination of the prerequisite course with a grade of B or better.
Master of Science
The minimum program for the master of science degree in IE consists of 24 credit hours of approved coursework and completion of a satisfactory thesis. Subject to advisor approval, up to nine credit hours of 300 and 400-level courses from other departments may be included in the IE masters program. The other department courses usually include other engineering disciplines, mathematics, computer science, and business and economics.
Master of Engineering
The minimum program for the master of engineering degree in IE consists of 27 credit hours of approved coursework and completion of a satisfactory project. This program of study is for those students whose interests are toward engineering design rather than research. The program provides opportunity to gain breadth of field by required coursework in all areas of study within the department. In addition, an engineering project must be completed under the supervision of the faculty.
Master of Science in Management Science
Introduction
The management science program is directed toward integrating scientific methods with the functional aspects of organizations by investigating the application of quantitative methodology and systems analysis in the context of decision making, risk analysis, economics and cost analysis, production management, and supply chain logistics. This integration provides the students with a broader perspective toward managerial decision-making in both private enterprise and public administration.
Mid-career professionals and recent graduates with a background in engineering, mathematics, and physical sciences who intend to seek managerial, consulting or systems analyst positions are appropriate candidates. In particular, those candidates who intend to seek positions demanding both technical and management skills find the management science background advantageous in dealing with the complex problems of industrial, commercial, and public service organizations.
The Program
The Industrial and Systems Engineering Department administers the management science program. To be admitted to the program a candidate must demonstrate basic competence in calculus, statistics, linear algebra, introductory operations research, accounting, production and economics. A candidate lacking a certain background may be required to take background courses. The minimum program consists of 30 credit hours of course work, of which at least 18 credit hours must be in the 400-level. The ISE graduate faculty coordinator must approve all course work. Upon entering the program, the student must declare an area of concentration listed as follows:
- Operations Research
- Decision and Risk Analysis
- Economics and Cost Analysis
- Production and Operations Management
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Each student is required to complete 15 credit hours of core courses, 12 credit hours of courses in the declared area of concentration, and 3-credit hours of approved free elective or completing a management science project. No more than 9 credit hours may be taken from the college of business and economics (e.g., MKT, ECO, GBUS courses).
Core Courses (at least 15 credit hours)
| Course No. | Course Title | Prerequisite(s) |
|---|---|---|
| IE 328 | Engineering Statistics | Math 23 or equivalent |
| IE 358 (ECO 358) |
Game Theory (Cross listed course) |
Eco 105 or 146 and Math 21, 31 or 51 |
| IE 362 (MSE 362) |
Logistics and Supply Chain Management (Cross listed course) |
IE 220 and 251 or equivalent, or instructor approval. |
| IE 404 | Simulation (graduate version of IE305) |
IE 121 or IE 328 and IE 220 or equivalent. |
| IE 410 | Design of Experiments | IE 121 or equivalent |
| IE 426 | Optimization Models and Applications (graduate version of IE 316) |
IE 220 or equivalent Closed to students who have taken IE 316 |
| IE 429 | Stochastic Models and Applications (graduate version of IE 339) |
IE 220 or equivalent |
| IE 447 | Financial Optimization | IE 426 or equivalent |
| IE 458 (ECO 463) |
Topics in Game Theory (Cross listed course) |
Two semesters of calculus, ECO 412, or permission of instructor |
| Math 334 | Mathematical Statistics | Math 231 or 309 |
| Note: Students who satisfy one or more of the core requirements from previous coursework (e.g., IE 305/404, 316/426,339/429) may substitute the core requirement by taking additional courses from his/her declared area of concentration. Up to 9 credit hours may be substituted. | ||
Areas of Concentration (at least 12 credit hours)
Each student must declare an area of concentration. Nore more than 3 credit hours may be taken outside the declare area of concentration.
| Areas of Concentration | Qualified Courses |
|---|---|
| Operations Research | IE 406, 411, 412, 414, 416, 417, 418, 419, 439, ECO 402, 412, 423, MATH 312, 338, 340 |
| Decision and Risk Analysis | IE 358,458, 409, 410, 416, 419, 439, 442, 446, MATH 312, 338, ECO 416, 423, 460, 461 |
| Economics and Cost Analysis | IE 358, 458, 413, GBUS 413, 414, 419*,420*, 422, MATH 467, 468 |
| Production & Operations Management | IE 319, 324, 332, 340, 342, 347, 410, 419, 424, 425, 442, 443, 445, 448, 449, GBUS 413, 450, 481, 483, 485, ECO 447, MSE 438, 446 |
| Logistics & Supply Chain Management | IE 319, 341, 358, 408, 409, 412, 414, 416, 419, 425, 438, 442, 443, 458, MKT 321, 325, GBUS 450, 481, ECO 416, 447, 460, 461 |
* Daytime section only for students without work experience
Approved Free Elective or Management Science Project (3 credit hours)
Each student is to complete either an approved free elective relevant to the student’s career interest, or complete a project through IE 430 Management Science Project. A faculty member must supervise the project.
Master of Science in Information and Systems Engineering
The goal of the M.S. in Information and Systems Engineering (I&SE) program is to provide advanced educational and research opportunities related to operations research, quantitative and computational analysis, large scale optimization, system simulation, information-centric systems, and the integration of information systems in industrial, service and financial organizations.
The program will emphasize three core areas:
- Information Economics,
- Quantitative Systems Analysis, and
- Information Technology.
Graduates of the program will be operations research analysts, systems engineers and information technology specialists who are employed by virtually all organizations, especially in consulting, multi-national operations, transportation, logistics, financial institutions, and telecommunications.
New communications technologies, the web, and recent advances in computing are profoundly changing the operations of business and industry. The increasingly complex intertwining of organizations coupled with continued automation of business processes creates new and complex large-scale systems of enterprises, people, capital equipment, and information. With these changes comes the need for engineers capable of understanding and integrating these emerging systems. The needs extend far beyond the micro level details of computer hardware and software, instead requiring systems integration, large-scale optimization and control, and knowledge of the operations of industry. It is the combination of the systems perspective, the analytical focus, and development of computing skills that sets the I&SE education apart. The program will be comprised of three core areas:
Information Economics: The formulation, structure, and operational dynamics of information-centric systems in the context of industrial organizations, service sector economics, and financial institutions. Topic areas range from fundamental theory and methodologies in systems science and engineering, to issues in complex supply networks, e-Business, electronic marketplaces, and financial engineering. This area of concentration is based on the solid foundations of science and economics through which we envision the long-term development of modern information systems.
Quantitative Systems Analysis: Operations research and computational tools for analyzing complex systems and their information components. Topic areas include mathematical programming, optimization, decision analysis, large-scale modeling and simulation, decentralized decision processes, stochastic processes, sequencing and scheduling, parallel and distributed algorithms, and algorithm design. This area of concentration forms the methodological base for the design, integration, implementation, and management of information systems in large-scale organizations.
Information Technology and Applications: Computer and communication technologies needed to design and implement information system applications. Of specific focus will be the applications of information technology in manufacturing and business environments, including electronic commerce, supply chain and enterprise information systems, manufacturing information systems, and intelligent manufacturing control. This area concentrates on the technological aspects of modern information systems such as database systems, software development, and web-based systems.
Master of Science in Information and Systems Engineering Program Requirements
The Master of Science program in I&SE requires a minimum of 24 credit hours of approved coursework and completion of a satisfactory thesis or 27 credit hours of approved coursework and completion of a 3 credit hour project. Three core courses are required: IE 362, IE 404, and IE 426. In addition, 4 courses are chosen from a list of approved courses that covers the areas of information economics, quantitative systems analysis, and information technology and applications.
Master of Engineering in Information and Systems Engineering Program Requirements
The Master of Engineering program in I&SE requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved coursework. No thesis or project is required. Three core courses are required: IE 362, IE 404, and IE 426. In addition, 4 courses are chosen from a list of approved courses that covers the areas of information economics, quantitative systems analysis, and information technology and applications.
Program Prerequisites:
(1) A candidate embarking on the master’s program must possess a Bachelors degree in engineering or the mathematical or physical sciences. (2) The candidate must satisfy the following incoming course prerequisites: CSC 17, IE 220, and IE 224, or equivalents.
Core Courses (three courses required of all I&SE students):
| Course No. | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IE 362 | Logistics and Supply Chain Management (3) |
| IE 404 | Simulation (3) |
| IE 426 | Optimization Models and Applications (3) (IE 426 is the graduate version of IE 316. IE 426 is closed to students who have taken IE 316) |
ISE Electives (select at least four from the following courses, organized into three groups corresponding to the three information and systems engineering areas identified above.):
1. Information Economics
| Course No. | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BIS 311 | Managing Information Systems Development (3)* |
| BIS 331 | Electronic Commerce and Security (3)* |
| ECO 412 | Mathematical Economics (3) |
| ECO 413 | Advanced Microeconomic Analysis (3) |
| ECO 415 | Econometrics (3) |
| ECO 447 | Economic Analysis of Market Competition (3) |
| IE 334 | Organizational Planning and Control (3) |
| IE 442 | Manufacturing Management (3) |
2. Quantitative Systems Analysis
| Course No. | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IE 328 | Engineering Statistics (3) |
| IE 406 | Introduction to Mathematical Programming (3) |
| IE 409 | Time Series Analysis (3) |
| IE 410 | Design of Experiments (3) |
| IE 411 | Networks and Graphs (3) |
| IE 412 | Quantitative Models of Supply Chain Management (3) |
| IE 413 | Advanced Engineering Economy and Replacement Analysis (3) |
| IE 414 | Heuristic Methods in Combinatorial Optimization (3) |
| IE 416 | Dynamic Programming (3) |
| IE 417 | Nonlinear Programming (3) |
| IE 418 | Integer Programming (3) |
| IE 419 | Sequencing and Scheduling (3) |
| IE 439 | Queueing Systems (3) |
| IE 446 | Discrete Event Dynamic Systems (3) |
| IE 458 | (ECO 463) Game Theory (3) (Cross listed course) |
3. Information Technology and Applications
| Course No. | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSE 313 | Computer Graphics (3)* |
| CSE 330 | Advanced Software Engineering Tools (3)* |
| CSE 340 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3)* |
| CSE 366 | Object-Oriented Programming (3) |
| CSE 403 | Theory of Operating Systems (3)* |
| CSE 411 | Advanced Programming Techniques (3) |
| CSE 412 | Object-Oriented Programming (3) |
| CSE 414 | Expert Systems (3)* |
| CSE 415 | Database Topics (3)* |
| CSE 416 | Advanced Issues in Knowledge-based Systems (3)* |
| CSE 432 | Object-Oriented Software Engineering (3) |
| ECE 401 | Advanced Computer Architecture (3)* |
| ECE 404 | Computer Networks (3) |
| IE 307 | Advanced Systems Analysis and Design (3) |
| IE 309 | Introduction to Information Systems (3) |
| IE 310 | Database Analysis and Design (3) |
| IE 324 | Industrial Automation and Robotics (3) |
| IE 332 | Quality Control (3) |
| IE 341 | Data Communication Systems Analysis and Design (3) |
| IE 342 | Computer Integrated Manufacturing (3) |
| IE 345 | Manufacturing Information Technology (3) |
| IE 404 | Simulation (3) |
| IE 408 | Management of Information Systems (3) |
| IE 424 | Robotic Systems and Applications (3) |
| IE 437 | Advanced Database Analysis and Design (3) |
| IE 438 | Advanced Data Communication Systems Analysis and Design (3) |
| IE 443 | Automation and Production Systems (3) |
| IE 449 | Advanced Computer-Aided Manufacturing (3) |
| IE 451 | Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (3) |
*Prerequisites may pose difficulties.
Free Electives (for M.Eng. select any two graduate courses subject to approval of graduate coordinator).
M.S. in Quality Engineering
Program
The Master’s of Science degree in Quality Engineering (MSQE) is offered by the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). A list of the faculty and descriptions of the courses are included in the catalog description (see catalog index) of the ISE department. The program is designed to accommodate students who are employed full time. Courses are transmitted via satellite to work sites anywhere in the continental USA.
Admission
To be considered for admission to the MSQE program, applicants must have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in engineering (any discipline) or in science.
University Requirements
All of the university rules that apply to the awarding of Master’s degrees at Lehigh apply to the MSQE, except for the following: no thesis or report or general examination is required. The university rules that do apply to the MSQE are spelled out in the catalog, under the heading "Degree Information" (see catalog index).
Departmental Requirements
All candidates must complete thirty hours of course work – 15 hours of core courses and 15 hours of electives. The core courses, which all candidates take, are listed below:
| Course No. | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IE 328 | Engineering Statistics | (3) |
| IE 332 | Quality Control | (3) |
| IE 410 | Design of Experiments | (3) |
| IE 422 | Measurement and Inspection Systems | (3) |
| IE 442 | Manufacturing Management | (3) |
Any offered IE or MSE course, if not a core course, is an acceptable elective, and at least nine hours of the electives must be courses, which have prefix IE or MSE. Up to six hours of the electives may be any graduate course or courses that the candidate’s advisor approves.
Prior to the start of a term (semester or summer session) the Office of Distance Education posts a list of courses that will be taught during the term. Recent offerings included the elective courses listed below:
| Course No. | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IE 426 | Optimization Models and Applications | (3) |
| IE 443 | Automation and Production Systems (MSE 427) | (3) |
| IE 445 | Assembly Processes and Systems | (3) |
| MSE 438 | Agile Organizations & Manufacturing Systems | (3) |
Up to nine hours of credits earned at other institutions may be used to satisfy degree requirements, if transfer of credits is approved by the Registrar.
M.S. in Analytical Finance
Information is hosted at the College of Business and Economics website.
Analytical Finance Program Outline
M.B.A. and Engineering
Information is hosted at the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science website.