Graduate Program in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering
Make a difference in the world by applying advanced engineering thinking to complex real-world problems. The social justice focus of our graduate programs strives for engineering solutions that are responsive, compatible and sustainable.
HOW TO APPLY
To begin your application, complete this required “Personal Statement” form. Your personal statement is the most important part of your application. It lets us understand your motivation and expectations for graduate school. We want to make sure you are a good fit and will be successful in our graduate program. Here are some tips for writing a good personal statement. NEXT, complete and submit your application through the Graduate School website. Make sure to upload this form to your application.
Program Overview
Degrees Offered
We offer 2 industrial engineering degrees in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering:
- M.S. in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering
- Ph.D. in Engineering, Industrial Engineering Option
Grounded in engineering and the social sciences, our graduate program in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) equips students with traditional and contemporary skills to design, manage, and analyze complex human-centered systems. Graduate students pursue advanced technical topics to design, analyze and manage systems that can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of businesses, non-profit organizations, and governments. Since all these systems involve humans and impact the social and physical environment, these systems are most successful when they combine technical solutions with social responsibility, defined as transparent and ethical behavior that contributes to sustainable development, ensures health and welfare of society, incorporates stakeholder expectations, complies with international laws and norms, and is integrated across all systems that impact society and the environment.
Thus, the vision of the program is to integrate technical depth with social awareness from a multidisciplinary (i.e., systems) point of view.
View the New Social Justice Themed Flyer!
But what is our goal?
In our graduate program, we believe the goal for engineering is social justice, which requires the equitable participation of all groups of people to ensure systems meet their individual and collective needs. Our systems should do more than provide health and safety – they should also inspire joy and pride: “The continuation of life on the planet requires making our world more sustainable, secure, healthy, and joyful.” (NAE Grand Challenges for Engineering) This vision can only be assured with socially responsible engineering practices that:
(1) support individual needs (responsive);
(2) respect community culture (compatible); and
(3) protect the physical and social environments (sustainable).
Accordingly, our IMSE Graduate Program is organized around 3 focus areas related to Social Justice that provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and desire to be socially responsible in the design, management, and analysis of systems:
Inclusive Design
An intentional process to involve all relevant user communities in the design process to create usable and meaningful access to products, services and systems for most people. Can improve quality of life amongst diverse user communities in a way that respects local culture and protects the shared environment.
Topic Leader:
Data Analytics
In this area, students learn about selecting and analyzing the appropriate information to process, interpret, organize, structure and display meaningfully to optimize a process or assist in making better informed decisions.
Topic Leaders:
- Faraz Dadgostari
- Andreas Thorsen (Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship)
Curriculum
The Industrial and Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) Graduate Manual is available for viewing, printing and downloading. Copies can also be requested from Kathy Campbell at [email protected] or 406-994-6755.
Minimum 31 credits (22 credits from core course list) + (9 credits from elective course list).
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Focus area
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Core Courses
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Elective courses
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Inclusive Design
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Management Systems
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Data Analytics
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NOTE: EIND 490, EIND 492, EIND 499, EIND 575, and EIND 598 cannot be used towards Plan A course requirements. The final graduate plan of study must comply with Graduate School Policy including the requirement that the number of 5xx-level course credits must be equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the total graded coursework, including Thesis Research credits (590).
In addition, MS degree candidates must also satisfy all Graduate School degree and examination requirement.
Minimum 33 credits (18 credits from core course list) + (15 credits from elective course list).
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Focus area
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Core courses
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Elective courses
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Inclusive Design
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Management Systems
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Data Analytics
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NOTE: Students must take either EIND 575 (6 credit project) or EIND 598 (6 credit internship). For the Inclusive Design focus area, CHTH 503 or NSRG 615 must be completed before project or internship (EIND 575, 598). See MSU Internship Policy. A maximum of 3 credits of EIND 592 can be taken as an elective course. The final plan of study must comply with Graduate School Policy including the requirement that the number of 5xx-level course credits must be equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the total graded coursework, including Professional Paper/Project credits (575).
In addition, MS degree candidates must also satisfy all Graduate School degree and examination requirement.
This option allows IMSE and Financial Engineering (EFIN) Undergraduates to enroll in an Accelerated IMSE M.S. program at the same time they are finishing their B.S. Learn about a Accelerated IMSE M.S. Degree here.
Minimum 60 credits (23 credits 5xx-level / 6xx-level) + (19 credits from MS elective course list) + (18 credits dissertation).
Up to 24 graded credits from a prior M.S. degree may be applied toward the following PHD credit requirements under the following conditions:
- be graded course credits (e.g., not M.S. thesis or independent study credits);
- have a grade of B or higher (or equivalent); and
- Be approved by the student’s graduate committee.
The application of MS graded course credits cannot replace the requirements for EGEN 694 and ENGR 610, nor the requirement to complete a minimum of 13 additional graded course credits at Montana State University as part of the current PHD degree.
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Requirement
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Courses
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Credits
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Research methods
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ENGR 610
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3 |
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PhD seminar
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2
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Advanced math
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3
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Numerical methods |
3
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Data analytics sub-area
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covered by Advanced Math requirement
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-
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Inclusive design sub-area
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6
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Management systems sub-area
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6
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Additional courses
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*Elective Courses (see MS elective table)
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19
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Dissertation
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EIND 690
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18
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TOTAL
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60
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NOTE: EIND 490, EIND 492, EIND 499, EIND 575, EIND 590, and EIND 598 cannot be used towards the PhD course requirements. EIND 592 may be substituted only for one EIND 4XX level course. Double counting is not allowed; that is, each course can be applied only to fulfill one requirement. The final graduate plan of study must comply with Graduate School Policy, including the requirement that the number of 5xx-level/6xxx-level course credits must be equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the total graded coursework, including Research credits (590) or Professional Paper/Project credits (575).
In addition, PHD degree candidates must also satisfy all Graduate School degree and examination requirement.
Funding Opportunities
Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Teaching assistantships (GTAs) involve assisting professors with the conduct of their classes, including preparation and grading. Research assistantships (GRAs) provide the opportunity to work on a research grant or industry sponsored project under the direction of a faculty member. All applicants will be considered for potential financial assistance and notified in their acceptance letter.
NOTE: If you are not a Montana resident, you may be eligible for 150% of in-state tuition under the WRGP-WICHE program.
Life in Bozeman
Known for its high quality of life and regularly featured on national "Best Places" lists, Bozeman combines a vibrant downtown, walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and easy access to nearby mountains and rivers. Learn more.
For questions, contact Kathy Campbell, [email protected], 406-994-6755.