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Program Requirements
Total Credit Hours required for
Thesis Option: 31 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours required for Non-Thesis Option:
31 Credit Hours
• Program
Prerequisite
• English Proficiency
• Degree Requirements
• The Advisor
• Course Load
• Academic Standing
• Degree Plan
• Thesis Research
• Graduate Project
 Program
Prerequisites
Before registering for IENG 599A or IENG 599B,
each student must have completed at least one course in each of
the six categories below, or their equivalents.
CSCI 240:
Computer Programming in C (4)
IENG 370: Operations Research I
(3)
MATH 232: Calculus III (4)
STAT 350: Introduction to Probability
and Statistics (3), or
IENG 335: Statistics for Engineering
(3)
One of the following:
CHEM 210: General Chemistry
(4)
MEE 210: Engineering Mechanics
I (3)
PHYS 253: Fundamentals of Physics
I (4)
One of the following:
ELE 210: Engineering Circuit Analysis
I (3)
MATH 240: Linear Algebra and
Applications (4)
MATH 336: Ordinary Differential
Equations (3)
MEE 211: Engineering Mechanics
II (3)
MEE 230: Materials and Manufacturing
Processes (3)
PHYS 273: Fundamentals of Physics
II (4)
STAT 470: Introduction to Probability
Theory (3)
English
Proficiency
Students whose native language is not English
are required to take university examinations of their English language
skills, unless they have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
institution at which the language of instruction was English. Those
whose English appears deficient or marginal for purposes of graduate
study and scholarly communication will be required to improve their
competence in the language. They will then be required to take and
pass either the two-course sequence of ENGL 451 and ENGL 452, or
the single course ENGL 453, depending on the results of competency
testing.
Degree
Requirements
The student must submit to the department, with
the help of a faculty adviser, a program of courses which must be
approved by the student’s graduate committee.
The student must complete at least 31 semester hours of
graduate-level course work, of which at least 50 percent must be in
500- and 600-level courses, excluding IENG 599A or IENG 599B, or
IENG 598 (Master’s Paper).
If a student has completed a 400-level course for undergraduate
credit at NIU with a grade of B or better, that course may not be
retaken for graduate credit to be applied to the M.S. program in
industrial and systems engineering.
Students in this program may apply 12 semester hours of courses
earned in a certificate of graduate study from any department in the
College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
The program requires proficiency in statistics and computer
programming. To achieve this proficiency students must have course
work in statistics and computer programming, such as IENG 335, STAT
350, or UBUS 223, as well as CSCI 240 or OMIS 351, or alternatives
approved by the department chair.
Select one of the following options and satisfy
its requirements:
Thesis Option:
Complete 1 semester of IENG 595, Graduate Seminar, 12 semester hours
of industrial engineering courses, 12 additional semester hours of
graduate courses, as approved by the department, and 6 semester
hours of thesis IENG 599A, on a topic approved by the student’s
graduate committee. The thesis must be satisfactorily defended at an
oral examination. A portion of the research required by IENG 599A
may be performed in off-campus facilities if approved by the
student’s graduation committee.
Non-thesis Option:
Complete 1 semester hour of IENG 595, Graduate Seminar, 18
semester hours of industrial engineering courses, including 1—3
semester hours of graduate project, IENG 599B or IENG 598, Master’s
Paper, on a topic approved by the student’s adviser and 12
additional semester hours of graduate courses, as approved by the
department.
For both options, at least fifty percent of the hours must be at the
500 level or above, excluding IENG 599A, IENG 599B, or IENG 598.
The
Advisor
Advising by faculty plays an important role in
the graduate student’s education. It is emphasized by the Department
of Industrial and Systems Engineering and systematized through a streamlined
procedure. Each graduate student will be initially assigned a
program advisor by the department. As soon as the student’s
area of interest is defined, the program advisor may continue as,
or be replaced with, a thesis or graduate
project advisor.
Course
Load
A student’s course load includes all courses
for which the student is registered, graduate or undergraduate,
whether taken for credit or audited. The full-time load for a graduate
student in a fall or spring semester is 9 semester hours, and in
summer session is 6 semester hours. A student in good academic standing
considering an overload should seek academic advisor and must obtain
approval to carry more than 12 hours in the fall or spring semester
or 9 hours in the summer session.
A graduate student holding assistantships during
a fall or spring semester are to carry 9 semester hours of course
work throughout the semester. In the summer session, students on
such appointment are to carry 6 semester hours. Reductions of up
to 3 semester hours in the expected course load, and any overload,
must be approved in advance by the department.
An international graduate student on F1 or J1
visa is required to carry at least 9 semester hours in the fall
and spring semesters. Such a student is not required to be enrolled
in the summer session. Permission to take fewer than 9 semester
hours in the fall or spring must be obtained in advance from the
department and office of the dean of the Graduate School.
Academic
Standing
To remain in good academic standing a student
must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all graduate courses. Following
any academic term at the end of which the cumulative graduate GPA
falls below 3.00, the student will be considered on academic probation.
A student on academic probation who fails to bring the GPA to the
required level of 3.00 upon the completion of an additional 9 semester
hours of graduate work will be academically dismissed from the Graduate
School.
Degree
Plan
In order to avoid unnecessary delay in graduation,
a graduate student is strongly advised to file a degree plan as
soon as possible detailing the courses he/she will take in the department,
outside the department, and transfer from elsewhere
(Graduate Student Advising Form). The degree plan
must be approved by the student’s adviser and the department
chair. It is recommended that the courses selected focus on a particular
area of study, as identified above.
The degree plan should specify courses which
are approved for graduate credit and those which are not. Courses
which are not approved for graduate credit may be needed to correct
deficiencies in program prerequisites, to satisfy the prerequisites
of other courses in the degree plan, or to prepare the student for
independent study and research. Courses not carrying graduate credit
may not be counted toward meeting the number of semester hours required
for the M.S. degree.
Thesis
Research
Objectives of Thesis Research
A student who chooses the thesis option of the program leading to
the degree of Master of Science with a major in industrial
and systems engineering
must satisfactorily complete six hours of credit in IENG 599A, Master’s
Thesis. If a student completes more than six hours in this course,
the additional hours are not counted toward the 31 hours required
for graduation under the thesis option.
The purpose of a master’s thesis is to
train the graduate student, under the guidance of a faculty adviser,
to conduct independent research. The responsibility for generating
the topic of research, performing the work, writing the thesis and
defending it is that of the student. The role of the adviser is
to suggest ideas, guide, motivate and support the student, evaluate
the work and correct errors. A certain degree of originality and
significance of contribution are necessary requirements of a master’s
thesis.
Scope of Thesis Research
Objectives of a Thesis
The following are typical thesis objectives:
• To predict the performance of a system under given controllable
factors and environmental conditions, for example, to investigate
the effect of the location or design of a computer keyboard on the
likelihood that the operator will develop “carpal tunnel syndrome.”
- To optimize the performance of a system,
as measured by one or more criteria, by determining the appropriate
values of controllable factors; for example, to determine the
cutting conditions of a certain tool-part combination that will
strike a balance between minimizing surface roughness and maximizing
tool life.
- To design a system that will perform one
or more functions under given conditions, for example, a protocol
for a distributive control system of a computer-integrated manufacturing
cell, or an algorithm for scheduling a set of jobs on multiple
machines.
- To design a methodology or algorithm for
solving a problem which has a broad range of industrial
and systems engineering
applications, for instance, application of parallel computation
to solve the traveling salesman problem.
- To evaluate alternative system designs, methodologies
or algorithms.
- To establish theorems or theories which expand
the body of knowledge in industrial and
systems engineering and furnish a
basis for the development of methodologies or algorithms.
Components of a thesis
A thesis must contain the following components wherever applicable:
- A clear statement of the objectives of research
and its scope, and a precise definition of the criteria for measuring
the attainment of these objectives.
- The background of the problem tackled and
a justification of the need for the proposed research.
- A survey of the literature on the subject.
- A description of the model used, with clear
definitions of the variables and their notation, and an explanation
of the relationships among these variables. Any theoretical analysis
of the model must be clearly presented.
- If experimentation is called for, the following
elements must be clearly explained: design of experiments, analysis
of results, and interpretation. Complete description of experimental
conditions and accurate recording and reporting of observations
is of prime importance.
- Conclusions and recommendations which establish
that a contribution has been made.
- Acknowledgment of the contributions of others.
- Complete citations of referenced material.
- Any appendices or exhibits. Lengthy tables
or theorem proofs may be best included in an appendix in order
not to interrupt the flow of presentation in the text.
Characteristics of a good thesis
- It represents an original contribution to
the field of industrial and systems engineering. The key here is originality
and applicability to industrial and systems
engineering problems.
- It differentiates between what is common
knowledge, what is quoted from other authors, and what is contributed
by the researcher.
Thesis Research Guidelines
A student must select a thesis adviser
as soon as possible and decide on an area of research for the thesis.
The student must also register for the appropriate number of credit
hours for the thesis, IENG 599A, in the semester(s) during which
work on the thesis is in progress.
After deciding on a particular research topic,
the student must prepare a formal thesis
proposal detailing the research problem to be solved,
the proposed approach, and the potential contributions of the research.
The proposal must also include a list of tasks and the corresponding
estimated completion dates. The student must review the existing
literature thoroughly on the chosen research area before preparing
the proposal. The proposal must be submitted to the thesis adviser
for initial approval.
After the thesis adviser has approved the proposal,
the student must form a thesis committee
consisting of the thesis adviser and at least two other faculty
members with expertise related to the thesis topic. A
majority of the committee members should be from the Department
of Industrial and Systems Engineering. A majority must also be members of the
graduate faculty.
The student must submit
the proposal to the committee members and present it in a meeting
of the committee for formal approval. The thesis proposal
along with the cover sheet containing the approval of the committee
members must be submitted to the department. The fully approved
proposal will stand as an official contract between the student
and the thesis committee, and will help the student avoid having
to make drastic changes after the thesis has been completed. If
a need arises for a major change in thesis direction, the student
must prepare a new proposal to be subject to the same process of
approval.
While working on the thesis, the student must
regularly schedule appointments with the thesis adviser and report
the progress of the thesis. If the student encounters any major
hurdles to the research while working on the thesis, he/she must
request a meeting of the committee members and discuss the possible
remedies to overcome the hurdles. Any changes made to the previously
approved proposal must be amended and approved by the committee.
After completing the written report of the thesis,
the student must obtain an initial approval of the report from the
thesis adviser. Then the student must make copies of the report
and distribute them to the committee members. The committee members
must be given at least two weeks to read the report. The
student is also required to follow the thesis format requirements
of the Graduate School.
To graduate in a particular semester,
the student must schedule the thesis defense at least two weeks
before the deadline for submission to the Graduate School in that
semester. This will give the student adequate time to
make the necessary changes suggested during the defense and resubmit
the thesis report to the committee members for final approval.
During the thesis defense, the student will
be asked to give a presentation on the thesis research. The student
will then be questioned on the work. After this, the thesis committee
will evaluate the work in a closed meeting and decide whether to
approve the thesis or require any changes or additional work.
After the student has implemented the suggested
changes, if any, and resubmitted the thesis to the committee for
final approval, the committee will decide on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory
grade for the thesis. If it is found to be satisfactory, the
student must submit three copies of the thesis to the Graduate School,
including an original.
The result of the thesis or graduate project
examination is reported to the Graduate School on a “Report
on Master’s or Specialist’s Examination.”
A portion of the research required by IENG 599A may be performed
in off-campus facilities if approved by the student’s graduate
committee. Approval of the thesis itself must be documented on the
form “Approval of Thesis, Dissertation,
or Documentation,” and of the final version on “Submission
of Final Version of Thesis/Dissertation/ Documentation to the Graduate
School.”
If the student wishes to replace either the
thesis adviser or a member of the thesis committee, the student
must submit a formal petition to the committee stating the reasons
for requesting the change and how it will help the student’s
progress. The petition, along with the recommendations of the existing
and proposed committees, must be submitted to the department chair
for final decision. Any change in the adviser or the committee must
not violate the professional rights of the former adviser, members
of the committee, or the student.
Graduate
Project
Objectives of Graduate Project Work
A student who chooses the non-thesis option of the program leading
to the degree of Master of Science with a major in industrial
and systems engineering
must complete three hours of project work under IENG 599B, Graduate
Project, with a grade of satisfactory.
The purpose of the graduate project is to train the
graduate student, under a faculty adviser, to conduct independent
study aimed to solve a real engineering or management system problem,
with the application of industrial and systems
engineering principles, concepts
and techniques. The responsibility for identifying the problem,
formulating it, collecting data, choosing the appropriate model
and technique, solving the problem, reporting it and presenting
it is that of the student. The role of the adviser is to suggest
ideas, guide, motivate and support the student. Emphasis in conducting
a graduate project is placed on the application of industrial
and systems engineering
concepts and techniques to the solution of contemporary real world
problems.
Scope of Graduate Project
Objectives of a Project
The following are typical project objectives:
- To design a system that meets given functional,
physical, environmental, performance and cost requirements; for
example, a manufacturing cell for the production of specified
parts, in given quantities, at predefined quality levels.
- To evaluate alternative proposals for the
design of a system; for example, alternative plant layouts for
a manufacturing line.
- To evaluate the impact of proposed changes
in an existing system; for example, to investigate the effect
on a manufacturing system of converting from production to stock
to just-in-time production.
- To create a tool for the analysis, planning
or control of system operation; for example, a software for scheduling
jobs on machines.
Components of a project report
A project must contain the following components wherever
applicable:
- A clear statement of the objectives of the
project and its scope.
- A description of the system investigated
and the background of the problem addressed, and a formal statement
of the problem.
- A survey of the literature related to the
type of problem addressed.
- A description of the procedure followed in
solving the problem.
- Explanation of the data collection procedure.
If experimentation is called for, the following elements must
be clearly explained: design of experiments, analysis of results,
and interpretation. Complete description of experimental conditions
and accurate recording and reporting of observations is of prime
importance.
- Conclusions and recommendations
- References
- Any appendices or exhibits. Lengthy tables
or attachments may be best included in an appendix in order not
to interrupt the flow of presentation in the text.
Characteristics of a good project
- It addresses a meaningful and significant real
world problem, the solution of which requires the tools and techniques
of industrial and systems engineering which are learned at the graduate level.
- It follows a rigorous, systematic procedure with
verifiable documentation. Originality in applying industrial
and systems engineering
concepts and techniques is an added merit.
- It presents sound conclusions and realistic recommendations
that can be applied in practice.
Project Work Guidelines
A Student must select a graduate project
adviser as soon as possible and decide on a problem area
for the project. The student must also register for the appropriate
number of credit hours for the graduate project, IENG 596, in the
semester(s) during which work on the project is in progress.
The student must identify, with the help of the adviser,
an appropriate problem for the project. The problem may be one that
exists in a manufacturing, service, government or any kind of organization.
After gathering some initial data, the student must submit a brief
pre-proposal to the adviser which contains a tentative problem definition,
the objectives of the project, and the anticipated benefits.
Upon agreement with the adviser about the project
idea the student must collect further data and submit a
formal proposal to the adviser which contains the objectives
and scope of the project, the approach and procedure to be followed
with a time table of the activities involved, anticipated deliverables,
and estimated costs and benefits to the organization.
After the project adviser has approved the proposal,
the student must form a project committee
consisting of the project adviser and at least two other faculty
members with expertise related to the project topic.
A majority of the committee members should be from the Department
of Industrial and Systems Engineering. The project proposal along with the cover
sheet containing the approval of the committee members must be submitted
to the department. The fully approved proposal will stand as an
official contract between the student and the project committee,
and will help the student avoid having to make drastic changes after
the project has been completed. If a need arises for a major change
in project direction, the student must prepare a new proposal to
be subject to the same process of approval.
While working on the project, the student must regularly
schedule appointments with the project adviser and report the progress
of the project. If the student encounters any major hurdles while
working on the project, he/she must discuss the possible remedies
to overcome the hurdles with the adviser. Any changes made to the
previously approved proposal must be amended and approved by the
adviser.
After completing work on the project, the student
must submit to the adviser a final report which contains the components
listed above.
After securing the adviser’s approval of the
report, the student must schedule a public
presentation of the project in the presence of the project committee.
To graduate in a particular semester, the student must schedule
this presentation no later than the week preceding the final examination
week. The course grade, satisfactory/unsatisfactory, depends on
the quality of the report and presentation.
The student must submit one
copy of the final project report to the adviser and one to the department
office.
For additional information, refer to manual
of graduate student advising published by the Department
of Industrial and Systems Engineering and graduate catalog on the University
web page.
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Department
of Industrial and Systems Engineering
College
of Engineering
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: 815-753-1269 • Fax: 815-753-0823 |
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