University General Course Catalog 2024-2025 
    
    Oct 18, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2024-2025

Industrial Engineering, M.S.


The master’s degree in industrial engineering combines upper-level coursework with two possible tracks (a) conduct research on a topic within industrial and systems engineering and writing a thesis, and (b) enrolling in upper-level coursework only (non-thesis option). Common research areas in industrial engineering include supply chain management, production planning and control, lean manufacturing, human factors and ergonomics, simulation and modeling, quality control and improvement, operations research, industrial automation and robotics, sustainability and environmental management, and project management.

The course requirements consist of certain mandatory courses and electives. The student will develop an individualized program of study with the advisory committee. The program of study describes the specific courses, research and related activities the student will take to meet the degree requirements. It will be recommended that the student develop a program of study as soon as possible upon arriving at the University. For the thesis option, the student must write and defend a thesis that is approved by the advisory committee.

Contact Information


Victor R. Vasquez, Ph.D., Department Chair
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
(775)784-6060
victor.vasquez@unr.edu
Department website

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes


The program is directed towards preparing motivated students to become professionally competent and capable of independent, self-directed research in one of several sub-disciplines of industrial and systems engineering, including supply chain, logistics, advanced manufacturing, operations optimization, production programming, human systems interaction, lean manufacturing and quality control among other. Upon graduation of the program, students will have:​​​​​​​

  • An ability to apply engineering research and theory to advance the art, science and practice of the discipline.
  • An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze, interpret, apply and disseminate the data.
  • An understanding of research methodology.

Admission Requirements


The Industrial Engineering graduate program offers Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Industrial Engineering. The general university requirements for these advanced degrees are listed in the Graduate School  catalog.

Students without an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering degree may be admitted to the M.S. program by taking additional preparatory courses. Students must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Applicants are expected to have a grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or better for the B.S. degree program or the last two years of course work for MS program applicants; and a minimum GPA of 3.25 (4.0 scale) for Ph.D. program applicants.
  2. Students whose native language is not English, must take the TOEFL or IELTS unless they have completed BS/MS degrees at an English speaking university. The minimum acceptable score for applicants is 79 for internet-based TOEFL (213 computer based or 550 paper based), or 6.5 for IELTS.
  3. For MS and PhD program applicants, research and/or industrial experience, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose are important parts of the application package.

Prospective graduate students should contact the Graduate Program Director for further information. Formal application is completed through the Graduate School.

I. Program Requirements


The M.S. degree in Industrial Engineering is available through two paths: Plan A, which requires original research leading to a thesis, and Plan B, which focuses on additional coursework, and does not require a thesis. All master’s degree candidates are initially accepted into Plan B, but may be invited to complete Plan A in cooperation with a faculty research advisor. Graduate students in Plan A are eligible to apply for teaching assistantships.  In addition to the requirements for a MS degree established by the Graduate School (for details see  Graduate School  catalog), Plan A and Plan B have the requirements below.

A. Plan A (Thesis)


In the thesis option (Plan A), a minimum of 30 approved graduate credits must be completed, comprising 24 credits of coursework and 6 credits of thesis research.

At least 18 of those credits must be earned in on-campus courses at the university. Any transfer credits from another institution must be approved for inclusion in the program of study by the advisory/examining committee, and must be officially accepted by the Graduate School. At least 12 credits in the program must be at the 700 level.

A maximum of 12 graduate units completed prior to admission to graduate standing may be applied to a master’s degree program of study. A maximum of 18 graduate credits completed from a relevant University of Nevada, Reno graduate certificate may be applied to a master’s degree program of study. A maximum of 6 graduate S/U units may apply towards a master’s degree, excluding S/U units allowed for comprehensive examination, professional paper and thesis units, but including transfer units.

Thesis (6 units)


Seminar (3 units)


B. Plan B (Non-Thesis)


The program of study requires the satisfactory completion of at least 30 credits of acceptable graduate courses. At least 18 credits must be earned in on-campus courses at the university. At least 12 of the 30 total credits must be earned at the 700 level.

A maximum of 12 graduate units completed prior to admission to graduate standing may be applied to a master’s degree program of study. A maximum of 18 graduate credits completed from a relevant University of Nevada, Reno graduate certificate may be applied to a master’s degree program of study. A maximum of 6 graduate S/U units may apply towards a master’s degree, excluding S/U units allowed for comprehensive examination, professional paper and thesis units, but including transfer units.

Seminar (3 units)


C. Additional Requirements (Both Plan A and Plan B)


  1. Students should develop an individualized program of study with the approval of their advisory committee (Plan A) or the Graduate Program Director or designee (Plan B). The plan should describe the specific courses, research, and related activities that students will take to meet their degree requirements. The Graduate School dean must approve all programs of study. Students are encouraged to develop a program of study as soon as possible after arriving at the university.
  2. Once a plan of study has begun, subsequent changing from Plan A to Plan B (or the reverse) requires the approval of the student’s graduate advisor (if one is assigned) and the Graduate Program Director.

The student should maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 in courses to be used to satisfy the MS degree requirements, in order to maintain status as a graduate student in good standing. Failure to maintain this mark will result in dismissal from the MS degree program.

II. Total Units


Plan A (Thesis): 30 units. At least 22 of the 30 total credits must be earned at the 700 level.

Plan B (Non-Thesis): 30 units. At least 15 of the 30 total credits must be earned at the 700 level.

Note(s):


For additional requirements, please see the Graduate School section of the catalog. 

Research and teaching assistantships are available to Ph.D. students. Current areas of research are:  critical minerals supply, process logistics, renewable energy, process simulation, process design and optimization, health care systems, logistics, supply chain, and risk analysis among others.

Graduate Handbook: * Curriculum requirements in the catalog supersede the Graduate handbook.

Undergraduate Prerequisites


An undergraduate degree in industrial engineering is recommended. Students without a industrial engineering undergraduate degree may be admitted to the M.S. program on a case-by-case basis but will be required to take additional preparatory courses.