UB - University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

Master of Science Program

Program Description

The degree of Master of Science in Industrial Engineering provides advanced study beyond the baccalaureate degree for those with initial degrees in IE as well as for those from other disciplines who wish to enter the field. Programs comprise an appropriate academic core, and a cohesive set of advanced courses, culminating in a thesis, or comprehensive examination. Both the thesis and comprehensive examination options require a total of at least thirty approved credit hours of work.

This study will lead to a specialization in one of the following:

• Human Factors Engineering/Ergonomics
• Operations Research
• Production Systems Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Service Systems Engineering (NOT OFFERED in the 09-10 AY)

Entrance Requirements

In addition to holding a bachelor's degree in engineering or any of the mathematical, physical, behavioral, or health sciences, each entering student is expected to be skilled in a number of specific areas.

Proficiency is required in:

• Mathematics through multivariate calculus
• Probability and design and analysis of experiments considered from a calculus point of view
• Computer programming

Generally, these requirements must be satisfied prior to the commencement of graduate studies.

A Master's student admitted on a provisional basis must demonstrate his/her ability to perform satisfactorily at the graduate level before being admitted to degree candidacy. The department will specify the conditions of the provisional admission in a letter sent to the student.

Elective Courses

Elective courses to complete the degree requirements may, with the consent of the student's advisor, be chosen from the wide range of offerings by the industrial engineering department, by other engineering departments, and by such departments as mathematics, statistics, computer science, psychology and physiology, as well as the School of Management.

Some Suggestions on Course Selection

Specific courses required in particular areas of specialization for the M.S. degree are called core courses. In general, you should plan your schedule with an eye toward fulfilling all core requirements in as timely a fashion as possible, normally by the end of your first year of full-time study. It is usually a good idea to take the core course first. While recommendations naturally vary according to individual students' needs, interests, and backgrounds, the first-year schedules which appear in the following tables provide sound prototypes.

These suggestions are not meant to be prescriptive. Courses that are more advanced or simply different may be more appropriate in your case. Above all, be sure to have your proposed program approved by your advisor.

Culminating Experience

The M.S. program may be completed in one of two ways:

1. By a formal research thesis representing 3 or 6 credits, satisfactory performance in an oral defense of thesis examination, and completion of 24 or 27 credits of nonthesis course work.
2. By passing a written comprehensive examination (C-exam) based on a degree program consisting of at least thirty hours of course work.

The M.S. Thesis

If you wish to fulfill the M.S. degree requirements by means of a thesis, you must first find a faculty member who shares your interest in a topic and is willing to supervise your efforts. This person will constitute the committee that must ultimately read and approve your work. Each thesis must be successfully defended in an oral examination. Note that students in the MS IE specialization cannot complete a master’s thesis.

A limit is imposed by the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) on the number of thesis credits which are applicable toward graduate degree requirements. For the M.S. degree with a thesis, a maximum of six credit hours for thesis (plus at least 24 credit hours of course work) may be applied. A minimum of 3 credit hours of thesis work is required. You should register for IE 559 (Fall) or IE 560 (Spring) while you are working on an M.S. thesis.

Instructions governing the preparation of theses appear in several university publications, including one entitled Instructions for Preparing Theses and Dissertations. Consult these guidelines before preparing your final manuscript.

The typing of a thesis is the responsibility of the student. There are editors and typesetting programs available on the university computer system which can be used for manuscript preparation.

Time Limit for Degree

The time limit for finishing all M.S. degree requirements is two years from the first registration date in the graduate program, excluding approved leaves of absence. A petition for an extension of time limit requires departmental approval. The student must be currently making active progress toward the degree. The SEAS Divisional Committee will consider each petition and, in certain cases, it may set a deadline for completion of the program. The extension of time limit is normally granted for a period of one year or less.

Nonapplicable Credits

Credits in the following courses are not applicable toward the minimum requirements for the Master's degree programs: Supervised Teaching, Supervised Research, and Departmental Seminar.

The Comprehensive Exam

The content of the Comprehensive Exam is based on the most recent offerings of each of the courses. It is incumbent upon the candidate to check that the material they prepare before the exam corresponds to that covered in the most recent offerings of each course.

The Comprehensive Exam is offered twice a year, once in December and again in May. It is an integrative experience in the form of a written examination of 90 minutes duration. Questions will be of an integrative nature, largely focusing on the core subjects of the major. That is, the minimal answer to pass will be drawn from the core courses. The emphasis will be on the integration of the tools/methods that were covered in the core courses. Students are not allowed to bring in any course material (formulae, books, etc.) to the exam. Any such material, if needed, will be provided at the exam.

Number of Attempts

Students are allowed two attempts to pass the MS Comprehensive Exam as the culminating experience for graduation. Failing the Comprehensive Exam twice constitutes grounds for dismissal from the program. These attempts will occur at the times specified below. NOTE: A student must give two weeks notice if she/he decides not to take the exam. Failure to do so, will be considered a FAILING attempt.

The first exam attempt occurs after one year of full time study (2 semesters). This means that students have the responsibility to register for all required core courses in HF, PS, OR, or IE, so that the core courses are completed at the end of two semesters of full time student. Part-time students should register for core courses first; the first exam attempt for part-time students will be as soon as the core is completed. If a student chooses not to take the exam when the first attempt is scheduled, the first attempt is lost, and only one attempt at the exam remains.

The second exam attempt (for students who did not pass, or did not choose to take the first attempt) occurs one (1) semester after the first attempt. For example, the typical full-time student would register for core courses in the fall and spring semesters of his/her first year of study, and attempt the exam in May, at the end of the spring semester. If the student did not pass the exam, he/she would be given a second attempt in December.

Further Information

Further information and application forms for the exam are made available in October, for the December exam, and March, for the May exam.

How to Apply

Pick up an application form from the Comprehensive Exam Coordinator or from the Departmental Office and submit the completed form by the date indicated on the form.