The Master of Science programs in Industrial Engineering are designed to produce highly skilled graduates who are prepared to be industrial engineers, engineering managers or technical professionals, or leaders for the global economy, as well as preparing them for further graduate work or independent research.
Industrial Engineering, in its broad nature, focuses on the design and improvement of systems, products, and processes. A total systems approach is used to optimize the various aspects of operations in both manufacturing and service industries. Industrial engineers use many analytical approaches to improve productivity, safety, and quality of working life while reducing operating costs.
The Industrial Engineering programs are structured to support the emergence of Central Florida as a national center of high technology as well as supporting the diverse service industries in the region and throughout the nation.
In the Industrial Engineering MS programs, students are able to individually craft their programs of study and select their courses to focus on one or more of the following research areas.
Human Systems Engineering/Ergonomics
As technology has become more sophisticated, the need to design for the human user has become more difficult, yet even more important. Human engineering and ergonomics assist in ensuring that as technology advances, the abilities, limitations, and needs of humans are considered in the system design. This not only supports the needs of the user, it also optimizes the efficiency and usability of the system designed. Traditionally, ergonomics has been associated with biomechanical issues and work measurement and performance issues in physical system design, as well as occupational and industrial safety. The broader focus of human engineering encompasses those issues as well as incorporating the reaction and effectiveness of human interaction with systems, both physical systems and virtual systems such as computer-based models.
Research in the Human Systems Engineering and Ergonomics area provides students with the necessary knowledge in human engineering and ergonomics to effectively design tasks, industrial systems, and work environments that maximize human performance, safety, and overall productivity.
Operations Research
The Operations Research courses in the Industrial Engineering MS program uses mathematics and computer-based systems to model operational processes and decisions in order to develop and evaluate alternatives that will lead to gains in efficiency and effectiveness. Drawing on probability, statistics, simulation, optimization, and stochastic processes, Operations Research provides many of the analytic tools used by industrial engineers as well as by other analysts to improve processes, decision-making, and management by individuals and organizations. Research in this area is ideal for students who have an undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, or science. The knowledge in these courses builds on an undergraduate Engineering, Mathematics, or Science degree to develop a strong modeling and analytical capability to improve processes and decision-making.
Management Systems
The Management Systems/Engineering Management research focuses on providing the knowledge for improving organizational systems. Engineering Management focuses on effective decision-making and successful project delivery in engineering and technological organizations. With technological advancements comes a new level of organizational complexity. As a result, new knowledge is needed to help the technical organization understand how to improve. The Management Systems/Engineering Management studies and research in the Industrial Engineering program are intended for individuals of all engineering disciplines. Research and coursework focus on a systems view of engineering problems related to the management of complex industrial, military, government, and social systems.
Quality Systems Engineering
The Quality Systems Engineering research in the Industrial Engineering MS program focuses on providing the knowledge for improving product and process quality in manufacturing and service industries. Quality Systems Engineering provides both the quantitative tools for measuring quality and the managerial focus and organizational insight required to implement effective continuous improvement programs and incorporate the voice of the customer. The Quality Systems Engineering courses build on an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering or a closely related discipline to provide the necessary knowledge to plan, control, and improve the product assurance function in government, military, service, or manufacturing organizations.
Simulation Modeling and Analysis
The Simulation Modeling and Analysis research and studies in the Industrial Engineering MS program focus on providing a fundamental understanding of the functional and technical design requirements for simulation in manufacturing and service industries. Research in this area is based on a systems modeling paradigm and provides coding and development capability in the context of a broader systems framework. Significant exposure to design and analysis aspects is a core element of the track. The Simulation Modeling and Analysis research and coursework prepare individuals with an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a closely related discipline for careers in simulation, focusing particularly on using simulation as an analysis and design tool for the manufacturing and service industries.
Intelligence is being infused into everyday systems, processes and infrastructure that enable physical goods to be developed, manufactured, bought and sold. These same systems also facilitate the movement and delivery of global products and services that support worldwide markets such as finance, energy resources, and healthcare systems.
With these technological advancements, comes a new level of complexity as organizations struggle to integrate systems, processes, and data feeds. As a result, the demand for systems engineering and related skills is expected to grow significantly.
Systems engineers design and implement computer systems, software, and networks, including defining complex system requirements, and determining system specifications, processes and working parameters.
The Systems Engineering studies and research in the Industrial Engineering MS program are intended for individuals of all engineering disciplines. Research and coursework focus on a systems view of engineering problems related to the management of complex industrial, military, government, and social systems.
This program can be taken entirely through the Center for Online and Virtual Education (COVE), which provides video-streamed versions of classes over the Internet. More information about this program can be found at here or (407) 823-3814.
The MS program offers both thesis and nonthesis options with each requiring 30 credit hours of courses. At least half of the regular coursework (including thesis hours) must be at the 6000 level. A cumulative grade-point average of B (3.0) must be maintained in the entire program of study.
A program of study must be developed and approved by the graduate program director during the first semester of enrollment.
Thesis Option: The thesis option requires 30 credit hours: 12 credit hours of required courses, 12 credit hours of electives, and 6 thesis credit hours. Students must also write and successfully defend a thesis.
Nonthesis Option: The nonthesis option requires 30 credit hours: 12 credit hours of required courses, 15 credit hours of electives, and a 3 credit Capstone course (EIN6950).
Research studies are required in one or more courses. The research study and report will focus on reviewing and analyzing contemporary research in the profession in order to help students acquire knowledge and skills pertaining to research-based best practices. In addition, students may engage in directed independent studies, directed research or a research report during their studies.
Students on assistantships must take 9 credit hours per semester (Fall, Spring) to satisfy the university's requirement for full-time status. Most students working full time take 6 credit hours per semester. At that rate, the program can be completed in 6 semesters or less. However, students with more time available and with an early start on a thesis, if applicable, can finish the program in 3 semesters.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Please note: Industrial Engineering (MS) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at (407) 823-2337.
UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.
Program Prerequisites
The Industrial Engineering MS program requires an undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, quantitative management or similar field.
Outstanding students with degrees in other disciplines such as business, economics or computer/information sciences may also be considered on a case-by-case basis, provided they have significant work experience and/or very high academic standing.
Regardless of the undergraduate degree, all applicants must have completed the following prerequisites:
- Mathematics through Calculus II (MAC 2312 or equivalent)
- An undergraduate course in engineering probability and statistics.
- In addition, they are expected to be familiar with at least one programming language (such as PYTHON, C, Java, Visual BASIC, C++, etc.) and common computer skills and tools such as word processors and spreadsheets.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
12 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- ESI5219 - Engineering Statistics (3)
- EIN5140 - Project Engineering (3)
- EIN6357 - Advanced Engineering Economic Analysis (3)
- ESI6551 - Systems Engineering (3)
IEMS Electives
12 Total Credits
- All students, both thesis and nonthesis, must take 12 credit hours of electives after consultation with their adviser. The program requirements are flexible enough to allow the students to tailor the coursework according to their desired educational and career goals. With the approval of their adviser and/or the graduate program director, students may select from the following groups of courses to satisfy the needs of their research goals or career objectives. To assist the students in achieving these goals and objectives, courses are grouped below to suggest focus areas, only as a guide to assist in advising and course selection. They are not intended to restrict elective choices among specialization areas as the intent of the program is to help graduate students maintain an integrated approach to their studies. The listing of these courses does not guarantee that they will be offered by the department in a particular year or semester. In addition to the courses listed below, students may be allowed to take courses from the following disciplines at UCF, with the approval of the graduate program director, as an elective in their graduate program of study: Other Engineering programs Computer Science Mathematics Statistics Business Administration or Management
Focus Areas
12 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Human Systems Engineering/Ergonomics- Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
- EIN5248 - Ergonomics (3)
- EIN5251 - Usability Engineering (3)
- EIN6258 - Human Computer Interaction (3)
- EIN6271 - Human Reliability (3)
Quality and Production Systems- Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
- ESI6225 - Quality Design and Control (3)
- ESI6224 - Quality Management (3)
- EIN6336 - Production and Inventory Control (3)
- EIN5356 - Cost Engineering (3)
- ESI5227 - Total Quality Improvement (3)
- ESI6247 - Experimental Design and Taguchi Methods (3)
Management Systems- Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
- EIN6182 - Engineering Management (3)
- EIN5117 - Management Information Systems I (3)
- EIN6370 - Innovation in Engineering Design (3)
- EIN6339 - Operations Engineering (3)
- EIN5108 - The Environment of Technical Organizations (3)
Simulation, Optimization and Modeling- Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
- ESI6336 - Queueing Systems (3)
- ESI5306 - Operations Research (3)
- ESI6418 - Linear Programming and Extensions (3)
- ESI6532 - Object-Oriented Simulation (3)
- ESI5531 - Discrete Systems Simulation (3)
- EIN5255C - Interactive Simulation (3)
- EIN6528 - Simulation Based Life Cycle Engineering (3)
- EIN6936 - Seminar in Advanced Industrial Engineering (3)
- ESI6217 - Statistical Aspects of Digital Simulation (3)
Systems Engineering- Earn at least 12 credits from the following:
- ESI6358 - Decision Analysis (3)
- ESI5359 - Risk Assessment and Management (3)
- EIN6215 - System Safety Engineering and Management (3)
- EIN5346 - Engineering Logistics (3)
- ESI6891 - IEMS Research Methods (3)
- ESI5236 - Reliability Engineering (3)
Thesis/Nonthesis Option
6 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Nonthesis Option- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- EIN6950 - Industrial and Systems Engineering Capstone (3)
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Additional Elective Course. The nonthesis option requires a capstone course and an additional unrestricted elective course that supports the student's area of research and study interests. The capstone course should be completed toward the end of the student's graduate plan of study. As part of the requirements of this courses, students will complete an independent capstone project on a topic relevant to the industrial and systems engineering field and approved by the instructor. Students are expected to use and leverage knowledge obtained in the program to complete the project. This course serves as the culminating experience for students and shows their engagement in independent learning.
Thesis Option- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: EIN 6971 - Thesis The thesis option requires 6 credit hours of thesis. Thesis students must complete an independent research study and write and successfully defend a thesis according to program guidelines. The College of Engineering and Computer Science requires that all thesis defense announcements are approved by the student's adviser and posted on the college's website (http://www.cecs.ucf.edu/graddefense/) and on the College of Graduate Studies Events Calendar at least two weeks before the defense date.
Grand Total Credits: 30
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
Equipment FeeFull-time students in the Industrial Engineering MSIE program pay a $58 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $29 each semester that they are enrolled.
Independent LearningThe Independent Learning requirement is met by successful completion of a thesis or the capstone course.
Admission Requirements
