MS Degree Requirements
Credits: The MS degree requires a minimum of 30 credits. Depending on the MS option that a student chooses, either 18 or 21 credits must be taken from the ISE department at Rutgers – these courses begin with the number 540. MS students in the thesis option may not take independent study course Special Problems 540:550 for degree credit.
Seminar: Each student must register three semesters for the ISE seminar (540:691 or 692), a zero credit course. In the ISE seminar, speakers from industry and academia present their latest research. The seminar course is pass/fail.
Non -Thesis Option: MS students in the non-thesis option must write a research report and make a presentation at a public seminar on an ISE topic. Graduate students and at least two faculty members will attend the presentation.
Each student will identify a faculty member as his or her supervisor who will approve the topic. Possible topics include work that was done individually for a class project, an extension of class material, or review and synthesis of several journal articles.
The presentation will be 20 minutes long. Arrange the date with the Graduate Director well in advance. The report must be approximately 20 pages, double-spaced, 12-font. The format will be typical of scientific papers: abstract, introduction, two or three sections of a body, conclusions, references, and appendices if necessary. The final report must be approved by at least three members of the Graduate Faculty. If the presentation and report is not accepted, the student will be required to make revisions.
Thesis: Students may elect to write an MS thesis in place of six credits of coursework. The thesis is a closely supervised project of original research. The principles of academic integrity should be adhered to in preparation of the MS thesis. Most of our master’s theses have been published in leading ISE journals. The administrative steps for students who write an MS thesis follow:
MS thesis proposal:
- By the end of the first year identify an advisor.
- Select a committee of at least three members of the ISE program.
- Set the date with the committee, reserve the conference room, and provide an abstract to the graduate secretary to distribute to faculty and graduate students. Submit proposal form electronically to the Graduate Director.
- Distribute the written proposal at least one week in advance to committee members.
- Give a formal 30-minute presentation on your proposal.
MS thesis defense:
- Prepare the Admission to Candidacy Form for the MS degree, which can be obtained from the ISE office.
- Fill in all your courses and submit it to the ISE office for verification.
- Set the date with the committee, reserve the conference room, and provide an abstract to the graduate secretary to distribute to faculty and graduate students. Submit defense form electronically to the Graduate Director.
- Distribute the written proposal at least ten days in advance to committee members.
- Give a formal one-hour presentation on your thesis.
MS Options: The ISE program offers three MS options:
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Quality and Reliability Engineering
The options vary in the proportion of required and elective courses. The advisor must approve all elective courses. Students who have taken a required course to fulfill undergraduate requirements may substitute an additional elective in place of the required course. The student does not retake it in graduate school but selects an additional elective such that the total number of graduate credits is 30.
The MS options are summarized in the following table and then described below.
|
Requirement |
ISE |
Mfg |
Quality |
|
Total credits |
30 |
30 |
30 |
|
Minimum ISE credits |
21 |
18 |
18 |
|
Seminar 3 semesters |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Thesis option |
Yes |
by arrangement |
Yes |
|
Required courses |
15 credits |
12 credits |
21 credits |
Summary of MS Requirements -three options
Industrial and Systems Engineering
The Industrial and Systems Engineering is the most flexible option allowing students the opportunity to select electives focusing on their areas of interest. The required courses provide a firm foundation in mathematical modeling, simulation, and production systems. The option requires 30 credits with at least 21 credits from the ISE department at Rutgers – these courses begin with the number 540.
Production and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
The Production and Manufacturing Systems Engineering option offers students a rich specialty in production systems, simulation, supply chain engineering, automation and manufacturing. This option requires 30 credits of course work. Students take 4 required courses, six technical electives. At least 18 credits must be taken from the ISE program at Rutgers.
Quality and Reliability Engineering
The Quality and Reliability option, offered in cooperation with the Statistics department, prepares students with a specialty focusing on design of experiments, process control, reliability, and quality management. This option requires 30 credits with at least 18 from the ISE department at Rutgers – these courses begin with the number 540. Following are the required courses:
Prerequisite Override – Statistics courses: To register for a course in the Statistics Department (course number is 960:xxx) the ISE graduate director can give you a prerequisite override form which you must use to register in person.