PhD in ISyE
The Industrial & Systems Engineering graduate program offers a PhD in ISyE (there are no "tracks" for the PhD). Exceptional students may apply directly to the PhD program without a prior MS. Students specialize in one or more areas of study:
- Production, Inventory and Distribution Systems
- Operations Research
- Information Systems
- Engineering Management
- Human Factors
All PhD students take 4 out of the 5 core courses listed below. Two out of these must be IE 5531 and IE 8532, or qualifying replacements. Students may replace core courses with more advanced courses if they have already taken the equivalent of the core course elsewhere. A list of acceptable replacements is shown below (possible replacement courses are indented).
- IE 5531 Engineering Optimization I
IE 8531 Engineering Optimization II
IE 8534 Advanced Topics in Operations Research - IE 8532 Stochastic Processes and Queueing Systems
- IE 5551 Production and Inventory Control
- IE 5545 Decision Analysis
- IE 8541 Decision Support Systems
IE 5511 Human Factors and Work Analysis Control
IE 8538 Advanced Topics in Information Systems
IE 8533 Advanced Stochastic Processes and Queueing Systems
IE 8534 Advanced Topics in Operations Research
IE 8552 Advanced Topics in Production, Inventory, and Distribution Systems
This program assumes full-time enrollment status and no prior background in ISyE. Students who are combining work and study may reduce the number of courses taken each semester. Students with a MS in ISyE from a recognized institution can transfer credits and shorten their program of study. There is no limit on the number of credits that may be transferred. Transfers require recommendation by the Adviser and approval by the DGS.
“Y” refers to year in the program and “F” and “S” refer to fall and spring semesters, respectively.
Year 1, Fall Semester
Y1F IE5531 Engineering Optimization I
Y1F IE8532 Stochastic Processes and Queueing Systems
Y1F Elective from Math, CS, Statistics, or Economics (see list below)
Y1F IE/ME8774 Graduate Seminar
Year 1, Spring Semester
Y1S IE5551 Production Planning and Inventory Control
Y1S IE5545 Decision Analysis
OR IE8541 Decision Support Systems
Y1S IE8xxx (One of IE8552, IE8533, or IE8990 whichever one is offered) or an Elective from Math, CS, Statistics, or Economics (see list below)
Y1S IE/ME8773 Graduate Seminar
Students are advised to complete about 26 credits in the first year. Students should prepare to take the qualifying exam in the fall semester of the second year.
Year 2, Fall Semester
Y2F IE8xxx Either IE8531, 8534, 8536, 8538, 8552 or 8990
(depending on interest and availability)
Y2F Elective from Math, CS, Statistics, or Economics (see list below)
Y2F Elective from Math, CS, Statistics, or Economics (see list below)
Year 2, Spring Semester
Y2F IE8xxx Either IE8531, 8534, 8536, 8538, 8552 or 8990
(depending on interest and availability)
Y2F Elective from Math, CS, Statistics, or Economics (see list below)
Y2F Elective from Math, CS, Statistics, or Economics (see list below)
Students should plan to complete all course credits (minimum 44, including 12 non-major) by the end of second year. They should simultaneously work to develop a thesis proposal and take the preliminary exam in the fall semester of their third year. Years 3 and 4 should be devoted entirely to thesis research, with graduation planned sometime in year 4 or 5 depending on progress.
Computer Science Electives for ISyE Ph.D. Students:
CSci 5107 Computer Graphics
CSci 5131 Advanced Internet Programming
CSci 5211 Data Comm and Networks
CSci 5421 Advanced Algorithms and Data Structure
CSci 5521 Pattern Recognition
CSci 8980 Special Advanced Topics in CS
Economics Electives for ISyE Ph.D. Students:
Course Sequence 8101 and 8102 on Microeconomic theory
Course Sequence 8117 and 8119 on Non-cooperative Game Theory
Econ 8119 on Cooperative Game Theory
Math Electives for ISyE Ph.D. Students:
Course Sequence Math 5615 and 5616 on Introduction to Analysis; could be replaced by 8601 and 8602 by advanced students
Course Sequence Math 5485 and 5486 on Numerical Methods
Course Sequence Math 8651 and 8652 on Theory of Probability (for advanced student, requires measure theory)
Statistics Electives for ISyE Ph.D. Students:
Stat 8501 Introduction to Stochastic Processes with Applications
Application Information
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers admission to the Industrial & Systems Engineering graduate program for the fall and spring semesters. The priority deadline for fall semester admission is December 15 of the previous year. Applications received after December 15 will be reviewed for space available admission. The deadline for spring semester admission is October 15 of the previous year. Applications received after October 15 will not be considered for spring semester admission.
We base admissions primarily on applicants' undergraduate academic record, general GRE scores, statement of purpose and three letters of recommendation (and TOEFL scores for international students). We prefer applicants with an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0/4.0 or higher. We work with the Graduate School regarding admission to the MS Plan A and B and PhD programs. Students must return the Graduate School Application for Admission, including original transcripts, test scores and statement of purpose directly to the Graduate School. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Department of Mechanical Engineering. We strongly recommend that applicants also provide the Department with a photocopy of all admission materials sent to the Graduate School in order to expedite the admissions process.
Refer to the ME Department Application Process page for details.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
The GRE General Test is required for all PhD applicants.