phd in industrial engineering

PhD Studies - School of Industrial Engineering - Purdue University

Doctoral (PhD) Program Overview

Purdue's School of Industrial Engineering continues to offer one of the nation's preeminent PhD programs, providing research areas in human factors, manufacturing, operations research, and production systems. PhD students are encouraged to participate in multidisciplinary studies and multi-cultural educational efforts in one or more of our diverse toptical areas, including:

• Aviation Human Factors
• Digital Human Modeling
• Distributed Control
• Energy Systems
• E-work, E-business, E-service Systems 
• Financial Engineering
• Global Systems
• Group Work and Communications
• Health Care Engineering
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Intelligent Systems
• Information Visualization
• Machining Processes
• Materials Processing
• Nano-Manufacturing
• Nonlinear Optimization
• Safety Engineering
• Service Engineering
• Simulation Optimization

Program Highlights

• Typical Completion:  Students take a combination of advanced technical courses, focusing their study on areas of interest, earning a Doctorate in 4-6 years. 
• Career Catalyzation:  Most graduates enter careers in diverse fields, often on advanced leadership tracks.  

Why Choose a Doctorate Degree in Industrial Engineering?

• Increased Employment Opportunities :  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for industrial engineers will increase about 8% between now and 2028. 
• Increased Earning Potential .   Our alumni self-report that Purdue Industrial Engineering PhD  graduates earn 15% or more than their peers with a Master's degree.

Why Choose Purdue?

• Field Defining Innovation & Research:   The School of Industrial Engineering has been defining the field and educating future leaders in industrial engineering for 65 years. The graduate program is ranked in the top 10 and the IE on-line degree program is ranked #1 in the nation. Our researchers perform field-defining research that is regarded worldwide for its impact and quality.
• Excellence at Scale : As one of the top 10 engineering graduate programs in the nation, Purdue's College of Engineering is one of the largest and strongest programs in the nation with 13 different schools and departments.
• Affordable Tuition :  Tuition for our program is considerably cost effective compared to other programs.
• Low Cost of Living :  The cost of living in the Greater Lafayette-West Lafayette area is one of the lowest in the nation, with housing rent ranging from 23% to 179% less expensive than competing university cities (numbeo.com). 

Curriculum Requirements

Courses selected for the PhD option are intended to provide depth of study in a particular area of interest. The prerequisites to the program assure a minimal amount of knowledge in the general field of industrial engineering. The curriculum is designed such that the student has broad selectivity over their coursework. Selection of courses should be conducted with the faculty member supervising the research project, to ensure courses taken supplement the research project.

Credit Requirements for the Doctoral (PhD) Degree:

Have at least 90 total graduate credit hours, which must include:

• A minimum of 24 credit hours of course work;
• A minimum of  36 credit hours of  research credits (IE 69900).

Additional Requirements for a Doctoral (PhD) Degree 

• Development of a thesis document meeting all requirements of the faculty and Graduate School; and,
• Successful  preliminary exam and defense through an oral examination to a committee of faculty members;  

Research Areas

Plan of Study and Course Requirements for PhD

Completion Guidelines for PhD

Application Requirements

Contact 

[email protected]

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

DEGREE Industrial Engineering, PhD

Doctoral degree in industrial engineering

As a PhD student in our very highly ranked industrial engineering program, you’ll be able to specialize in one of four areas, each of which is designed enable you to be a leader in new and developing areas within industrial and systems engineering. You can choose advanced training in decision science/operations research, health systems, human factors and ergonomics, and manufacturing and production systems.

At a glance

Industrial and systems engineering department, learn more about what information you need to apply., how to apply.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

Students from any discipline that provides foundations for research in ISyE topics are encouraged to apply. For example, applicants may come from industrial, electrical, or mechanical engineering, or mathematics, statistics, computer science, psychology, or economics. Applicants are strongly advised to review the prerequisites for each area of specialization at the department website .

Each application is judged on the basis of previous academic record, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores for the general test, three letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose. Admission is very competitive and application deadlines are extremely important.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

• Fall : December 15th
• Spring:  September 1st
• Summer: December 15th

Reentry applicants: July 15 (fall), December 1 (spring), and must notify an academic advisor.

Additional reentry information

Note: Although we accept summer applications we recommend applying for fall or spring as there are not many courses offered in the summer.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Application deadlines are strictly enforced and ALL application materials including transcripts, GRE and TOEFL scores MUST be included and submitted by the application deadline.

*Please note our office does not provide feedback to applicants as to their potential for admission – please review both the ISyE department and Graduate School requirements for admission and if you feel you meet the necessary criteria for applying, please do so.

• Applicants must first meet all of the requirements of the Graduate School.  Click here for more information about these requirements .
• Applicants must also meet department specific requirements as outlined below:
• B.S. degree or equivalent

APPLICATION STEPS

• Fill out an  online application  through the Graduate School website .
• List three recommenders and their contact information as part of the online application.  An email will be sent to the recommender, asking that they submit their letter online using the Graduate School’s recommendation form. Applicants can log back into their online application to re-send the email request if the recommender loses the email. Letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically.
•  Submit a  Statement of Purpose  with your online application.   In this document, applicants should explain why they  want to pursue further education in ISyE and discuss which UW faculty members they would be interested in doing research with during their graduate study. 
• TOEFL Exam Information:   Ask  ETS   to submit your GRE and/or TOEFL scores to the UW–Madison Graduate School (Institution Number 1846) . If you have your scores sent to UW–Madison, they will be available online to all departments to which you have applied. The institution code, therefore, is the only number needed. For more information please visit the  Graduate School Requirements  page. Please note: Exam information must be valid at start date of the semester that you are applying for (nonexpired).
• GRE Exam Information:  The IE graduate program requires the GRE exam be taken by prospective students as part of the application. N ote there are no specific scoring guidelines for the exam  as the GRE is only one part of consideration for admission into the program. Please note: Exam information must be valid at start date of the semester that you are applying for (nonexpired).
• Electronically submit one copy of your official transcript with your application.   Official transcripts of all undergraduate and previous graduate work are required. Unofficial copies of transcripts will be accepted for review, but  official  copies are required for admitted students. Please do not send transcripts or any other application materials to the Graduate School or [email protected].
• Upload your resume in your application .
• Pay the Application Fee:  Submission must be accompanied by the one-time application fee. It is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (MasterCard or VISA) or debit/ATM. By state law, this fee can only be waived or deferred through the conditions  outlined here by the Graduate School.

NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT SEND MATERIALS/DOCUMENTS TO THE ISyE DEPARTMENT OR GRADUATE SCHOOL UNTIL YOU ARE RECOMMENDED FOR ADMISSIONS. ALL DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE UPLOADED WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

Check out the  Admissions FAQ  or contact us at  [email protected] .

Tuition and funding

Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).

View tuition rates

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

If you choose to attend UW–Madison and plan to pursue funding on your own, the following sites could be very helpful:

• Graduate School Funding Resources
• Graduate School Costs and Funding

All ISyE PhD students are provided funding and tuition remission, provided they are making satisfactory academic progress. This funding may be in the form of a teaching assistant, research assistant, or project assistant position, or as an external fellowship. The type position providing the funding support may change from semester to semester and is determined based on a combination of factors including the availability of research funds by the student’s faculty advisor and the need for teaching assistants in ISyE courses.

For information specific to graduate assistantships within the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, please consult the  department’s  graduate program handbook . 

FEDERAL LOANS

Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be eligible to receive some level of funding through the federal direct loan program. These loans are available to qualified graduate students who are taking at least 4 credits during the fall and spring semesters, and 2 credits during summer. Private loans are also available. Learn more about UW-Madison financial aid here.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIPS

For information on international student funding and scholarships, visit the ISS website.

The UW-Madison Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering is a national leader in research funding. At the cutting-edge of industrial engineering and systems research, the department offers state-of-the-art facilities for faculty, staff and students to work in. Our faculty are leaders in their fields, respected nationally and internationally for their research.

View our research

Curricular Requirements

Minimum graduate school requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum  academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Required Courses

Students choose one of the following research areas . Work with your faculty advisors to answer any questions and to form a plan of study.

Operations Research, Optimization, and Analytics 1

These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

Health Systems Engineering 1

Topics vary for this course. Obtain advance approval from your faculty advisor.

Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial AI 1

Human factors and ergonomics 1.

HFE Course Requirement

Various courses in the categories of Research Methods, Statistics, Qualitative Research, Biomechanics Methods, and Psychology count as "Tools and Methods." The Human Factors and Ergonomics faculty group updates the list of "Tools and Methods" courses, and advisors decide which set of courses are appropriate for each student.  Work with your faculty advisor regarding non-I SY E course work.

Prior to defending their dissertation, HFE Ph.D. students must complete at least six seminar/special topics courses numbered 700 or above totaling a minimum of 12 credits; at least 6 credits of these must be in the Human Factors and Ergonomics area. Seminar credits outside the Human Factors and Ergonomics area may be used to satisfy the Industrial Engineering Breadth requirement. Other courses may qualify. Students may submit courses to the HFE Area group for consideration. Transfer students should submit a course syllabus or description and transcript for any courses from other institutions that they would like to have considered for satisfaction of this requirement. The HFE Area group will make this decision.

Additional Requirements for all ISyE PhD Students

• PhD students must complete the Breadth requirement for their degree program by completing a cohesive group of courses outside the ISyE major in order to add breadth to their program.
• Recognizing the importance of instructional training to our PhD students, each student in the PhD program is required to serve as a teaching assistant for at least one semester during their program. Requests for a partial or full waiver of this requirement should be submitted in writing to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies and will be reviewed by the Academic Affairs Cluster.  
• Colloquium/Lecture Series: For at least two semesters, students must regularly attend a colloquium series. The appropriate colloquium series must be approved by the student’s faculty adviser. It is not required to meet this requirement by registering for a course (indeed some colloquium series have no associate course). Instead, attendance at the approved colloquium series must be confirmed by the student’s faculty adviser when the student submits their PhD Plan of Study prior to their preliminary examination. Example of colloquium series that can be used to meet this requirement include the ISyE Colloquia and the Systems, Information, Learning and Optimization (SILO) seminars.
• All ISyE PhD students must utilize the graduate student portal in MyUW to add, change, or discontinue any doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate. To apply to this minor, log in to my.wisc.edu, click on Graduate Student Portal, and then click on Add/Change Programs. Select the information for the doctoral minor for which you are applying.
• For additional information, please contact [email protected].

Graduate Student Services [email protected] Room 3182 Mechanical Engineering Building 1513 University Avenue Madison, WI 53706

Doug Wiegmann, Professor and Associate Chair of Graduate Affairs [email protected]

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PhD in Industrial Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Industrial Engineering is awarded to students who demonstrate high academic achievement and research competence in the field of industrial engineering. To earn a PhD, a student must complete approved and advanced course work and submit and defend an original dissertation of independent research. The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering expects all successful doctoral candidates to show depth of knowledge and research innovation in their chosen field of specialization.

The MIE department admits applicants to the PhD program either directly after earning a suitable bachelor’s degree (i.e., bachelor’s entry) or after earning a master’s degree (i.e., advanced entry).

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• Degree Requirements - Advanced Entry
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Innovative Curriculum

This advanced degree combines research with industry leaders and real world experience to prepare for a career in research, academic or business professions.

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering/scientific/quantitative problems
• An ability to explain and apply engineering design principles, as appropriate to the program’s educational objectives
• An ability to produce solutions that meet specified end-user needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
• An ability to recognize and advance industrial engineering tools/principles needed for in many areas, including healthcare systems, supply chains, logistics and transportation engineering, manufacturing, sustainability, resilient systems, energy systems, and human-in-the loop systems
• Learn more.
• Scholarship Report

Experiential Learning

Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare students for real world engineering challenges. The Cooperative Education Program , also known as a “co-op,” is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a Co-op Program for Graduate Students. Through this program students gain industry experience in a wide variety of organizations, from large companies to entrepreneurial start-ups, while helping to finance their education. Students can also participate in an internship or the university’s Experiential PhD program.

Academic Advising

The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.

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Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.

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PhD in Industrial Engineering

Students pursuing the PhD in Industrial Engineering have the option of entering the program with a B.S. or MS degree. If entering with a B.S., students may earn their MS degree during the program or not at all. For additional information regarding our PhD programs and process, see PhD Degree Information.

For the most up to date degree requirements, please visit the University of Illinois  Academic Catalog .

Entering with approved MS/MA degree

• 64 Total Hours
• Thesis credit (IE 599) -- 32 hours A maximum of 32 credit hours of IE 599 (or other approved thesis) may be counted toward the degree.
• Graduate Seminar -- 0 hours Registration is required for every term as an active student.
• 400/500-level IE Courses -- 20 hours
• STEM courses from outside of major -- 12 hours STEM course must be approved and be from a College of Engineering department, including ABE and CHBE (or other approved department). Excludes TE and ENG courses.

Other Requirements and Conditions (may overlap)

• A minimum of 16 credit hours of 500-level hours overall
• Independent study/project design courses do not count toward 500-level requirement.
• A maximum of 8 credit hours of IE 597 (or other approved project design) may be counted toward the degree. 
• Minimum GPA: 3.25

PhD exam and dissertation requirements

• Qualifying exams (written & oral)
• Preliminary exam
• Final exam or dissertation defense
• Dissertation deposit

Entering with approved BS/BA degree

• 96 Total Hours
• Thesis credit (IE 599) -- 40 hours A maximum of 32 credit hours of IE 599 (or other approved thesis) may be counted toward the degree.
• 400/500-level IE Courses -- 32 hours
• Elective courses chosen in consultation with advisor -- 12 hours
• A minimum of 28 credit hours of 500-level hours overall

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Doctoral Program in Industrial & Systems Engineering

PhD Application Deadline DECEMBER 15 View Application Steps

How to Apply

Funding & resources, usc graduate application, dissertation topics, phd alumni snapshot, research topics database.

Nathan Decker

Anthony Nguyen

Christopher Henson

Industrial & systems engineering doctoral students citizenship, industrial & systems engineering doctoral students age, tour one of our research labs, recent department videos.

Published on June 8th, 2021

Last updated on August 18th, 2023

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Nathan Decker PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I've received a lot of great advice over the years, (including from my faculty advisor here at USC), but my favorite advice comes from my grandfather, who passed away last year at the age of 100.  He would often remind me to cultivate a heart of gratitude by not taking for granted the small things that God blesses us with each day.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

What's your favorite impulse purchase from the past 12 months?

During the height of the pandemic, I decided to splurge - and prioritize self-care - by getting a set of adjustable-weight dumbbells, since I couldn't go to the gym.  It took 3 months for them to arrive, but when they finally did, it upped my home-workout game immensely!  I'm also way less likely to skip a workout, since there's no excuse now.

Please describe a little about your research and what excites you about it.

My research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence to 3D printing.  I try to make printers smarter by enabling them to learn from their past mistakes and leverage diverse sources of sensor data, resulting in parts that are more accurate.  This is important for applications where the part must be functional, which are increasing in frequency as 3D printing becomes more utilized.  I love my research, since it forces me to work across a number of fields and learn a little bit about everything to solve problems.

If you could choose any other profession outside of engineering or computer science, what would it be? 

Before I realized that I have a passion for engineering, I was a Philosophy major for a year during my undergraduate studies, and really enjoyed the experience.  Had I not come to that realization, I might have tried to pursue a career as a Philosophy professor.

What are some factors that helped you decide to pursue your PhD at USC?

My love for USC began from a young age!  Sadly, from 1995 (the year I was born) to 2015, Los Angeles lacked an NFL team, meaning that if you wanted to cheer for a football team, USC and UCLA were the only game in town.  Thankfully, my dad chose correctly, and decided that our family would root for USC.  He took me to watch open football practices on campus growing up, where you could meet players and coaches, as well as a good number of games in the Coliseum.  When it came time to decide where I would go to grad school, I could say that it was USC's outstanding reputation, the fantastic resources that my department offers, the amazing Trojan family, or the great fit with my advisor and lab that sealed the deal, but deep down, I think it was the memories with my father that convinced me I couldn't be anywhere else.

If you were to recommend to an incoming student 3 places to go in California/Los Angeles, what would they be?

What is a memory you'll cherish about your time at USC?

What's one thing about you that might surprise me?

What are your plans after graduation?

In my career, I hope to continue working on challenging problems and learning from brilliant people, wherever that may be.

Hometown (city, country):

La Mirada, CA

Personal Website (if any):

www.nathanidecker.com

Faculty Advisor:

Prof. Qiang Huang

Anthony Nguyen PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

You can't optimize life. Don't be afraid to pivot and embrace opportunities that present themselves.

Completing my Eagle Scout when I was growing up. This accomplishment helped shape my mindset and gave me the courage and confidence to be ambitious with my goals.

I recently purchased my first set of golf clubs and a new pair of rock climbing shoes. I love spending my free time participating in sports activities.

My research is focused on decision making in healthcare settings. This includes clinical, operational, and policy level decisions. Most of my recent work has been on building infectious disease models for HIV and COVID-19 that incorporate human behavior to help local policymakers make more informed decisions for LA County. What excites me most about this research is the cross disciplinary and collaborative nature of the work as well as the fact that it is directly applicable to the local community.

If you could choose any other profession outside of engineering or computer science, what would it be? 

If I was not an engineer, I would likely be a physician specialized in either surgery or emergency medicine. I have always been interested in improving patient care and patient quality of life. Engineering allows me to do this at a systemic level. Being a physician enables attaining this goal at a patient level. 

My main reasons for selecting USC were: (1) I had an instant connection with my faculty advisors (2) Being located in Southern California, I knew I would enjoy the environment and lifestyle beyond time spent doing research, and (3) Knowing that USC excels in a wide range of fields, I knew I would be able to engage in interesting cross-disciplinary research. 

(1) Korea Town, Little Tokyo, and other food hubs in LA, (2) San Diego (3) San Francisco.

Department happy hours! It's always great enjoying a drink with your professors, admin, and classmates. 

I try to balance my time between research and playing sports. Even after starting my PhD, I have taken time almost every week to surf, climb, train for races, and now to play golf! A great week is a week when I can manage to do all of these activities.

I plan to go into management consulting with a focus on health related sectors. 

Yorba Linda, California.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ anthonycnguyen/ 

Co-advised by:

• Professor Sze Chuan Suen (ISE)
• Professor Shinyi Wu (Social Work)

Christopher Henson PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering

Do all things unto the Lord.

Getting honorable mention in the ASME best student presentation competition for my work on failure detection in additive manufacturing.

I purchased a Le Creuset dutch oven which has been so enjoyable to work with in the kitchen.

I work on quality improvement software for additive manufacturing. I am most excited about the commercial application of research in my field. 

If I were not an engineer I would most likely be working in finance.

The research area was unique among the schools I applied to and was by a wide margin the most exciting and the best fit. I was also excited about the research providing me with relevant expertise to an industry research setting.

Griffith Park/Observatory (at night) the view of the city is incredible. LA Live has great nightlife/food. Grand Central Market is a very neat place to go for good street food and it is in a cool part of down town. Bonus: California Science Center is right across the street from campus and has a lot of great exhibits.

Going to USC football games with friends after stressful weeks.

I love to cook and entertain for guests.

I hope to work for NASA in a research capacity.

Escondido, California.

Qiang Huang

This PhD in Industrial Engineering degree combines research with industry leaders and real world experience to prepare for a career in research, academic or business professions.

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The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering graduate department offers a doctor of philosophy in Industrial Engineering. This advanced degree combines research with industry leaders and real world experience to prepare for a career in research, academic or business professions.

This PhD is awarded to students who demonstrate high academic achievement and research competence in the fields of mechanical or industrial engineering. To earn a PhD, a student must complete an approved, rigorous program of advanced course work and submit and defend an original dissertation of independent research. The mechanical and industrial engineering (MIE) department expects all successful doctoral candidates to show depth of knowledge and research innovation in their chosen field of specialization.

• Can be combined with a Gordon Engineering Leadership certificate
• Bachelor’s and Advanced Degree entry are available
• Students submit and defend an original dissertation of independent research
• The ability to use basic engineering concepts flexibly in a variety of contexts
• Ability to formulate a research plan
• Ability to communicate orally a research plan
• Ability to conduct independent research

Our graduates pursue careers within academia and beyond.

• Seattle’s Children’s Hospital
• Sonos, Inc.
• Massachusetts institute of Technology
• Citicorp Credit Services
• Norfolk Southern
• King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
• Johns Hopkins University
• California State University, Long Beach

Application Materials

• Completed online application form
• $100 application fee
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• Statement of Purpose
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for international applicants

Application

PhD Priority: December 15

International outside US: June 1

International inside US: July 1

Domestic: August 1

• Program Website

Request Information for PhD in Industrial Engineering

PhD Program

Fellowships for year one, guaranteed funding until completion..

Ranked Industrial Engineering Graduate Program by the U.S. News & World Report (2023)

Ranked Public University by the Wall Street Journal (2022)

University of Michigan Industrial and Operations Engineering (U-M IOE) PhD students have fellowships for year one, guaranteed funding until completion and can access more than a dozen graduate student certificate programs across campus.

Our PhD students have extensive interdisciplinary opportunities available on campus. Take classes and work with faculty from different engineering departments, Michigan Medicine, and U-M schools and colleges such as the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and the School of Public Health.

Sign-up for our virtual grad school webinar on Nov. 10, 2023 to learn more about our program before you apply.

PHD STUDENT NEWS

University of Michigan IOE PhD Student Yifan Li honored with teaching awards

Yifan Li has been honored with the 2024 Richard and Eleanor Towner Prize for Distinguished Academic Achievement, the Distinguished Leadership Award from the College of Engineering and the Rackham Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Award

IOE PhD student Jianhao Ma awarded a Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship

The Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship supports PhD students who have achieved candidacy and are actively working on dissertation research and writing

Students celebrated at U-M IOE Graduation Reception

On Thursday, April 7, 2023 students, faculty, and staff from the Univerisity of Michigan Industrial and Operations Engineering (U-M IOE) Department came together to celebrate the accomplishments of their graduating graduate students at the Michigan League. This spring 67 students graduated from the U-M IOE PhD and master’s program. Many of whom were honored with awards. 

Jacqueline Hannan awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to further neonatal ventilation research

U-M IOE PhD student Jacqueline Hannan has been awarded a Graduate Research Fellowship from the NSF. The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States.

U-M IOE hosts its second annual Graduate School Workshop

The workshop is part of a multi-year diversity, equity and inclusion initiative to broaden participation in the field of industrial engineering.

University of Michigan Student Chapter selected as a winner of the INFORMS 2021 Student Chapter Annual Award (Summa cum laude)

The purpose of these awards is to recognize the achievements of student chapters. Please join us in congratulating our students on this well-deserved recognition!

New workshop promotes graduate school in industrial engineering for underrepresented groups in STEM fields

The IOE department started a new initiative to broaden participation in industrial engineering by underrepresented groups, including traditionally underrepresented minorities, women, and first-generation students. A recent IOE graduate school workshop offered by the department was part of the launch of this new multi-year diversity, equity and inclusion initiative.

Kati Moug receives 2021 Generation Google Scholarship

U-M IOE PhD student, Kati Moug, has received a 2021 Generation Google Scholarship in recognition of academic performance, leadership, and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

IOE graduate students receive NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

U-M IOE graduate students, Lauren Czerniak and Leena Ghrayeb honored as recipients of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP).

Nadine Sarter receives FAA funding for research on pilots’ role in risk mitigation

U-M IOE professor, Nadine Sarter has received funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for research on the role flight crews play in aviation safety.

U-M INFORMS Student Chapter and Wesley J. Marrero awarded at INFORMS Annual Meeting

At the recent INFORMS Annual Meeting, the U-M INFORMS student chapter and U-M IOE PhD student, Wesley J. Marrero, were recognized for their work in operations research and the management sciences.

U-M HFES Student Chapter and Na Du Awarded at HFES Annual Meeting

HFES awards the U-M Student Chapter with the Outstanding Student Chapter Gold Award. Na Du, a U-M IOE PhD candidate, was also recognized individually with two awards and a scholarship.

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• Northwestern Engineering

Academics PhD Program

Consistently ranked in the top 5 industrial engineering programs in the nation, the PhD program in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences at Northwestern is renowned for the quality of its faculty, their research, and the varied applications this research has throughout all areas of industry.

Prospective PhD Students

Join world-renowned faculty in researching analytical tools and strategies applied in manufacturing, finance, public policy, and the service sector. Prospective PhD students can learn more about PhD curriculum and focus areas and job placement after graduation. We do not offer a terminal master's program; however, prospective master’s students can look at the Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science program and the Master of Engineering Management program .

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Find information on funding graduate study , application procedures , admission requirements to the PhD program in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, and attending an information weekend .

Current graduate students can find information on course registration, waiving required courses, and brown bag faculty presentations .

Affiliated Master's Programs

Aside from its PhD program, the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences is also involved in the Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science program  and the Master of Engineering Management program .

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Contact Info

Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston, IL 60208 Phone: 847-491-3383 Fax: 847-491-8005 Email PhD Program Staff

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Industrial Engineering & Operations Research PhD

The Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR) offers four graduate programs: a Master of Engineering (MEng), a Master of Science (MS), a Master of Analytics (MAnalytics), and a PhD. These programs have been developed to meet the needs of individuals with backgrounds in engineering or the mathematical sciences who wish to enhance their knowledge of the theory, development, and use of quantitative models for design, analysis, risk management, and decision-making. This knowledge applies to complex systems in the industrial, service, or public sectors, including energy systems, supply chains, healthcare systems, and financial systems. Students may concentrate on theoretical studies in preparation for doctoral-level research, or on applications of state-of-the-art techniques to real world problems.

Master of Engineering (MEng)

The MEng is a professional, full-time, accelerated professional master's degree program and is currently a lock-step, two-semester degree program. Students learn advanced techniques in IEOR and skills that prepare them to lead teams in developing new engineering solutions: skills in managing complex projects, motivating people, and directing financial and operational matters.

Master of Science (MS)

The MS is a full-time technical master's degree program. Students focus on both the theory of IEOR techniques and the application of those techniques. The MS is a terminal degree, meaning that students enrolled in the MS program do not typically continue further into the IEOR PhD program.

Master of Analytics (MAnalytics)

The 11-month in-person Master of Analytics program trains students in data-driven analytical methods and tools for optimization, statistics, simulation, and risk management with relevant industry context so that the graduates are not only highly skilled in the latest tools and fluent with working with large data sets, but also are able to raise the right questions to develop innovative models and find creative solutions to rapidly changing business and industry challenges, and communicate and implement their solutions.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The paramount requirement of a doctoral degree is the successful completion of a thesis on a subject within Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. Research areas may include but are not limited to the investigation of the mathematical foundations of and computational methods for optimization or stochastic models, including risk analysis. Research also may be undertaken to develop methodologies for the design, planning, and/or control of systems in a variety of application domains, including supply chains, energy systems, healthcare systems, and financial systems.

Contact Info

[email protected]

4141 Etcheverry

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 11, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering

College of engineering.

The Ph.D. programs offered by the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering equip graduates with strong methodological skills and an ability to produce impactful research results within the disciplines represented in the School faculty. ISyE Ph.D. alumni take up research and teaching positions at top universities worldwide, or join research groups in government or industry.

Core Ph.D. Degrees

Ph.d. in industrial engineering, ph.d. in operations research, interdisciplinary ph.d. degrees, ph.d. in algorithms, combinatorics, and optimization, ph.d. in bioinformatics, ph.d. in computational science and engineering, ph.d. in machine learning, current doctoral students, update your ph.d. profile, common questions.

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Professional education course: systems operations and strategic interactions in supply chains, 2024 iise conference and expo featuring dr. benoit montreuil, 10th international physical internet conference (ipic 2024), doctoral programs.

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Future Students

Providing rigorous coverage of core IE and OR methodology, with application to challenges within critical systems such as supply chains, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and energy. The degree is offered in four different specializations: Supply Chain Engineering, Statistics, Economic Decision Analysis, and Systems Informatics and Control.

Our degree in Operations Research is one of the largest programs in the country, approximately half of the ISyE faculty are directly responsible for the OR program through teaching and research activities that span virtually every topic and sub-discipline related to the field's basic methodologies of optimization, stochastics/applied probability and simulation.

Algorithms, Combinatorics and Optimization is a multidisciplinary program sponsored jointly by the College of Computing, the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and the School of Mathematics.

The Bioinformatics Program is an interdisciplinary doctoral program with Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computational Sciences and Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Mathematics.

The Computational Science & Engineering doctoral program is a joint program between the Colleges of Computing, College of Engineering, and the Science Program.

The Center for Machine Learning at Georgia Tech is an Interdisciplinary Research Center that is both a home for thought leaders and a training ground for the next generation of pioneers.

University of Missouri

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Mizzou Engineering

Ph.d. in industrial engineering - mizzou engineering.

Gain a solid understanding of the theoretical basis for the latest tools and techniques of systems analysis and design, an extensive experience in applying these analyses and design tools and techniques, and research experience in the development of new tools or applications of existing techniques to design or analyze problems.

Focus on key areas including:

• Data Analytics and Operations Research
• Manufacturing and Production Systems
• Sustainable Systems Engineering
• Service and Supply Chain Systems
• Healthcare and Human-centered Systems

Course Catalog Program Info and Funding Opportunities Admission Requirements

IMSE GAANN Fellowship

The Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) is a fellowship program through the U.S. Department of Education that helps institutions fund talented, doctorate-seeking students who demonstrate a need for financial assistance. The University of Missouri College of Engineering IMSE Department GAANN Fellowship seeks to remedy a shortage of college professors by assisting ISE Ph.D. students interested in careers in academia.

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Degree Types

Ph.D. Programs

Contact Information

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Industrial Engineering (PhD)

Program at a glance.

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Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

The Industrial Engineering PhD program prepares students for extensive research and careers in academia, industry and government while providing a broad knowledge of industrial engineering.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering is intended for a student with a bachelor's or master's degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related discipline.

The PhD program is designed to produce highly skilled researchers with both broad knowledge of industrial engineering and in-depth knowledge of specialty fields for careers in academia, industry, and government. The program allows a candidate to thoroughly study some aspect of industrial engineering through faculty expertise in research areas such as management systems, systems simulation and modeling, operations research, quality systems engineering, interactive simulation and training systems, systems engineering, and human systems engineering, human-computer interaction, and ergonomics.

The Industrial Engineering program is 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 PhD program, students may be able to individually craft their programs of study and select their courses to focus in one or more of the following research areas for their dissertations:

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.

Management Systems/Engineering management:

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.

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 build on an undergraduate Engineering, Mathematics, or Science degree to develop a strong modeling and analytical capability to improve processes and decision-making.

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 builds 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.

Systems Engineering:

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.

Interactive Simulation and Training Systems:

The Interactive Simulation and Training Systems research within the Industrial Engineering MS program focuses on providing a fundamental understanding of significant topics relative to simulation systems and the requirements, design, development, and use of such systems for knowledge transfer in the technical environment. Courses in this area address the evolving and multiple discipline application of interactive simulation by providing a wealth of electives to support development of individual student interests and talents. In conjunction with UCF's Institute for Simulation and Training, industrial organizations involved in simulation in the Central Florida region, military organizations, and other governmental organizations, ISTS research in the MS program provides exposure to both military and commercial interactive simulation and training systems.

The emphasis is on the application and development of interactive simulation and training systems to meet various requirements including, but not limited to: simulators, skill trainers, organizational learning systems, computer and web-based interactive simulation systems and other novel interactive simulation efforts. Courses in the interactive simulation and training systems area prepare individuals with an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, education, psychology, mathematics or other related disciplines for careers in simulation, focusing particularly on the interactive simulation and training systems industries.

The Industrial Engineering PhD program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. If a student holds a master's degree, the student must complete at least 27 credit hours of required coursework, in addition to 15 credit hours of dissertation.

Of the total coursework taken, 27 hours must be formal course work exclusive of independent study and 15 credit hours must consist of dissertation research (EIN 7980). All remaining hours are determined with a faculty adviser and approved by the department. Details about this program are located in the Industrial Engineering PhD Handbook linked in the Handbook section above.

Total Credit Hours Required: 72 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

This program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please view the licensure disclosure for the Industrial Engineering PhD program.

University of Central Florida Colleges

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Program Prerequisites

Bachelor's and Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Degree Requirements

Required courses.

• ESI6891 - IEMS Research Methods (3)
• ESI6247 - Experimental Design and Taguchi Methods (3)

Elective Courses

• - At least seventeen unrestricted electives - A maximum of 30 semester credit hours from an earned master's degree may be applied toward these requirements. Waived credits are evaluated on a course-by-course basis. - A maximum of 12 hours of Independent Study and/or Doctoral research is allowed in the Ph.D. program of study. Students, with the approval of their advisers and/or the graduate program director, may select from the following groups of courses to satisfy the needs of their research goals or career objectives. To assist students in achieving their goals and objectives, courses are grouped below to suggest focus areas, only as guides for advising and course selection. 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, with the approval of the graduate program director, as an elective in their graduate plan of study. Other Engineering Programs Computer Science Mathematics and Statistics Business Administration/Management
• EIN5248 - Ergonomics (3)
• EIN5251 - Usability Engineering (3)
• EIN6258 - Human Computer Interaction (3)
• EIN6271 - Human Reliability (3)
• ESI6225 - Quality Design and Control (3)
• ESI6224 - Quality Management (3)
• EIN6336 - Production and Inventory Control (3)
• ESI5227 - Total Quality Improvement (3)
• 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)
• 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)
• ESI6358 - Decision Analysis (3)
• ESI5359 - Risk Assessment and Management (3)
• EIN6215 - System Safety Engineering and Management (3)
• ESI5236 - Reliability Engineering (3)
• EIN5346 - Engineering Logistics (3)

Dissertation

• Earn at least 15 credits from the following types of courses: EIN 7980 Dissertation

Examinations

• At Qualifying Examination (QE) time students should know their intended direction of research but they do not necessarily know their specific topic/problem. The QE's objective is to determine whether the student's knowledge allows for a thorough understanding of methods and techniques discussed in the literature in his/her area(s) of interest. The IEMS PhD Qualifying Examination is a take-home exam designed to test the student's knowledge of fundamentals within the discipline and to assess the student's ability to conduct independent research and to think analytically, creatively, and independently. Exam questions address the student's global research awareness as well as his/her analytical thinking, research potential, and communication skills. The student must be able to understand the field's literature, as well as to summarize and discuss research findings. It is strongly recommended that students take ESI 6891 IEMS Research Methods prior to taking the Qualifying Examination. While thinking about taking the Qualifying Examination, students are strongly encouraged to evaluate their options for research and make informed decisions about their area of research interests. It is recommended that students seek advice from faculty members whose research interests match their own research areas in order for the students to properly select their electives and develop the appropriate plan of study. In addition to the Qualifying Examination, the student must pass a Candidacy Examination and a Dissertation Defense Examination. Details about these examinations and other requirements are located in the Industrial Engineering PhD Handbook. The Candidacy Examination may be taken any time after successful completion of the Qualifying Examination, but not in the same semester. The objective of the Candidacy Examination is to determine if the student has the breadth and depth of knowledge required to conduct independent research in the proposed area. The Candidacy Examination includes an oral presentation of a detailed dissertation proposal, which becomes the oral candidacy document, and the written component of the Candidacy Examination is satisfied by the proposal document, which becomes the required candidacy document. The Dissertation Defense Examination is an oral examination taken in defense of the written dissertation. The College of Engineering and Computer Science requires that all dissertation defense announcements are approved by the student's adviser and posted on the college's website and on the Events Calendar of the College of Graduate Studies website at least two weeks before the defense date.

Dissertation Committee Requirement

• The doctoral committee must consist of a minimum of four members: at least three must be graduate faculty members from within the student's department, and one must be at large, from graduate faculty scholars outside the Industrial Engineering faculty. The committee chair must be a member of the graduate faculty who is approved to direct dissertations. Faculty members with joint appointments in IEMS may serve as department-faculty committee members. Adjunct faculty and off-campus experts who are graduate faculty scholars may serve as the outside-the-department person on the committee, as well as serve as co-chairs of the committee with the approval of the department Chair. The College of Graduate Studies reserves the right to review appointments to advisory committees, place a representative on any advisory committee, or appoint a co-adviser. Joint faculty members may serve as committee chairs. Off-campus experts and adjunct faculty who are graduate faculty scholars may not serve as committee chairs, but may serve as co-chairs. All committee members vote on acceptance or rejection of the dissertation proposal and the final dissertation. The dissertation proposal or final dissertation must be approved by the advisory committee with no more than one dissenting vote.

Admission to Candidacy

• The following are required to be admitted to candidacy and enroll in dissertation hours. Evidence of successful completion of these requirements must be received by the College of Graduate Studies one day prior to the start of classes for the semester in which a student wishes to enroll in dissertation hours. - Completion or near completion of course work, except for dissertation hours. - Successful completion of the candidacy examination, including successful defense of the written dissertation proposal. - The dissertation advisory committee is formed, consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars. - Submittal of an approved program of study.

Grand Total Credits: 72

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.

As a pre-doctoral student at the beginning of the PhD program, a preliminary plan of study must be developed with the graduate program director and meet with departmental approval. At this time transfer credit will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. The student's plan of study itemizing the study plan must be approved prior to the end of the first semester of studies by the Graduate Director of the IEMS department.

After completion of the Qualifying Examination and admission as a doctoral student, the official plan of study is developed that must meet with departmental approval. The student's dissertation committee approves the final plan of study after the Candidacy Examination is passed. These steps are normally completed within the first year of study beyond the master's degree. The degree must be completed within seven years from the date of admission as a pre-doctoral student and within four years of passing the Candidacy Examination.

The Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems monitors student progress and may dismiss a student if performance standards or academic progress are not maintained. Satisfactory academic performance in a program includes, but is not limited to, maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA in all graduate work taken as part of (or transferred into) the plan of study. Satisfactory performance also involves maintaining the standards of academic progress and professional integrity expected in our discipline. Failure to maintain these standards may result in dismissal from the program.

Students in the Industrial Engineering PhD program pay a $58 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. For part-time students, the equipment fee is $29 per semester.

The Independent Learning requirement is met by successful completion of the student's candidacy and dissertation defense examinations.