Master Programs 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: (1) Information Economics, (2) Quantitative Systems Analysis, and (3) 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.

Program Requirements

M.S. in Information and Systems Engineering

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.

M.Eng. in Information and Systems Engineering
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):

IE 362	Logistics and Supply Chain Management (3)
IE 404	Simulation (3)
IE 426	Optimization Models and Applications (3)

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

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

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)

3. Information Technology and Applications

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).