Industrial Engineering, PhD
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering
The Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering offers both a traditional doctoral program and a direct doctoral program. A Master's degree is not required for admission to the direct doctoral program. Students in both programs are required to have a research advisor and applicants are encouraged to contact department faculty in their areas of interest to inquire about possible research and funding opportunities.
Department Research
Faculty research by ISE faculty is pursued in the following fields:
| •computer-aided design | •data analytics | •optimization | •design systems | •manufacturing systems |
| •nondestructive testing and evaluation | •system dynamics and simulation | •control | •robotics | •real-time decision making |
| •reliability engineering | •financial engineering | •operations research | •management science | •biomechanics |
| •human factors | •supply chain logistics |
Members of the ISE Department have access to a wide range of excellent research facilities. These laboratories support a wide range of activity and are described at the department's research laboratories website.
The Department of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering (ISE) offers graduate programs leading to degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering (IE) and Systems and Entrepreneurial Engineering (SEE), as well as (jointly with the Department of Finance) Master of Science in Financial Engineering. The ISE programs offers an approach to industrial engineering and systems engineering, engineering design, and entrepreneurial engineering that crosses disciplinary lines. The IE program is based in advanced studies that focus on operations research, optimization, supply chain management, financial engineering, quality and reliability engineering and production management, with the aim to advance modeling, simulation, analysis and decision making for complex engineering and economic systems. The SEE program is founded on the premise of dual competency in both traditional engineering and systems integration. The SEE program offers flexibility by permitting the student to select from a menu of advanced courses and take a wide range of electives to meet individual career goals. Graduates of these programs are prepared to enter academic and professional engineering positions in universities, industry, government, and private practice.
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Programs website and the Graduate College Handbook.
Entering with approved M.S./M.A. degree
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IE 599 | Thesis Research A maximum of 32 credit hours of IE 599 (or other approved thesis) may be counted toward the degree | 32 |
| IE 590 | Seminar (registration for 0 hours every term while in residence) | 0 |
| 400/500-level IE Courses | 20 | |
| STEM courses from outside of major STEM courses must be approved and be from a College of Engineering department, including ABE and CHBE (or other approved department). Excludes TE and ENG courses. | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
Other Requirements and Conditions (may overlap)
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Minimum GPA: | 3.25 |
| Minimum 500-level credit hours applied toward the degree: | 16 |
| Independent study/project design courses do not count toward 500-level requirement. | |
| A maximum of 8 hours of IE 597 (or other approved independent study/project design) may be applied toward the elective course work requirement. | |
| Ph.D. exam and dissertation requirements: | |
| Qualifying exam | |
| Preliminary exam | |
| Final exam or dissertation defense | |
| Dissertation deposit |
Entering with approved B.S./B.A. degree
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IE 599 | Thesis Research A maximum of 40 credit hours of IE 599 (or other approved thesis) may be counted toward the degree | 40 |
| IE 590 | Seminar (registration for 0 hours every term while in residence) | 0 |
| 400/500-level IE Courses | 32 | |
| STEM courses from outside of major STEM courses must be approved and be from a College of Engineering department, including ABE and CHBE (or other approved department). Excludes TE and ENG courses. | 12 | |
| Electives in consultation with advisor | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 96 | |
Other Requirements and Conditions (may overlap)
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Minimum GPA: | 3.25 |
| Minimum 500-level credit hours applied toward the degree: | 28 |
| Independent study/project design do not count toward 500-level requirement. | |
| A maximum of 8 hours of IE 597 (or other approved independent study/project design) may be applied toward the degree. | |
| Ph.D. exam and dissertation requirements: | |
| Qualifying exam | |
| Preliminary exam | |
| Final exam or dissertation defense | |
| Dissertation deposit |
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering
Graduate-level students should be able to:
- Apply theory and methodologies to areas of research that address areas within Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering.
- Effectively relate and communicate their data findings to peers, faculty and possibly peer-reviewed journals.
- Formulate and solve complex problems with ISE by applying appropriate techniques and tools.
- Write and defend a thesis that is designed with scientifically accepted methods and can be applied to improve a design or other real-world issue.
- Teach concepts critical to the discipline of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering at the university level.
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering
Admission Requirements
Applicants who have completed degree requirements in an accredited engineering program or its equivalent are eligible to apply for admission. A minimum grade point average of 3.25 (A = 4.00) for the last two years of undergraduate study is required.
Scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test are required of all applicants. Based upon the previous preparation of the student for either program, prerequisite courses may be specified by the advisor, but the credit may not be applied toward a degree.
All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores as evidence of English proficiency. Minimum admission requirements are set by the Graduate College.
Financial Aid
Qualified students may compete for financial assistance in the form of teaching/graduate/research assistantships, fellowships, grants, and tuition waiver scholarships. Under certain conditions, fellowships may be augmented by part-time assistantships. Starting in Fall 2020, Grainger Engineering PhD students in their first five years of enrollment who meet the minimum eligibility requirements are guaranteed a funded appointment for fall and spring that includes a full tuition waiver, a partial fee waiver, and a stipend.
All applicants, regardless of US citizenship, whose native language is not English and who wish to be considered for teaching assistantships must demonstrate spoken English language proficiency by achieving a minimum score of 24 on the speaking subsection of the TOEFL iBT or 8 on the speaking subsection of the IELTS. For students who are unable to take the iBT or IELTS, a minimum score of 4CP is required on the English Proficiency Interview (EPI), offered on campus. All new teaching assistants are required to participate in the Graduate Academy for College Teaching conducted prior to the start of the semester.
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering
Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering
Department Head: Jeff Shamma
Associate Head of Graduate Studies: Ramavarapu S Sreenivas
Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering website
Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering faculty
Program website
117 Transportation Building, 104 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2731
Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering email
Grainger College of Engineering
Grainger College of Engineering website
Admissions
Department of Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering Overview of Admissions & Requirements
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements