Graduate Programs in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering
The IMSE Ph.D. and M.S. graduate programs integrate operations research, data analytics, systems thinking, manufacturing, supply chain management, quality, reliability, and human-centered design — preparing graduates to model, optimize, and improve complex systems that drive performance across industries.
HOW TO APPLY
To begin your application, you will need a personal statement, transcripts and 3 references. You may also need English language test scores. While the GRE is not required, you are welcome to submit your scores. Your personal statement is the most important part of your application. It let's us understand your motivation and expectations for graduate school. We want to make sure you will be successful in our graduate program. Here are some tips for writing a good personal statement. Next, complete and submit your application through the Graduate School website.
Program Overview
Degrees Offered
We offer 2 industrial engineering degrees in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering:
- M.S. in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering
- Ph.D. in Engineering, Industrial Engineering Option
improving performance across operations and complex organizations.
Data Analytics &
Decision Science
Statistical modeling, simulation, optimization, and decision analytics for evidence-based system improvement.
Topic Leaders:
Management & Manufacturing Systems
Designing and managing operational and manufacturing processes, production systems, and supply chains using core methods.
Topic Leaders:
Inclusive Design & Human Systems Integration
Applying ergonomics, human factors and work design to build usable, safe, and efficient systems.
Topic Leaders:
Curriculum
The Industrial and Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) Graduate Manual is available for viewing, printing and downloading. Copies can also be requested from Richard Owens at richard.owens2@montana.eduor 406-994-6755.
All students (regardless of previous degree) must have a background in mathematics equivalent to M 171 (differential calculus), M 172 (integral calculus), EIND 354 (engineering probability and statistics), and some exposure to matrix algebra. Students must have prior education in computing, including programming (e.g., R, Python, SAS, Java, etc).
The following courses in industrial and management system engineering basics are recommended for graduate students entering the industrial engineering master's program without a previous degree completed in industrial engineering:
- EIND 313 (Work Design and Analysis)
- EGEN 325 (Engineering Economy)
- EIND 364 (Principle of Operations Research I)
Minimum 30 credits (19 formal, graded course credits: 9 required,10 elective,1 seminar, 10 thesis).
|
Required Courses1,2,3,4,5 |
Credit Hours |
|
|
EIND 500 |
Management & Manufacturing Systems Core Course (pick 1) |
3 |
|
EIND 510 EIND 511 |
Inclusive Design & Human Systems Integration Core Course (pick 1) |
3 |
|
EIND 554 |
Data Analytics & Decision Science Core Course (pick 1)(note: EIND 457/455/468 may be substituted) |
3 |
|
EMEC 594 |
Seminar (research methods) |
1 |
|
EIND 590 |
Master's Thesis (minimum of 10 total credits required; take 1-10 credits per term) |
10 |
|
Elective Courses within student's emphasis (maximum of 3 cr. of EIND 592 OR 598 – not both), see IMSE elective list. Additional electives at discretion of advisor/chair. |
10 |
|
|
Total Credits |
30 |
|
- EIND 575 (Research or Professional Paper / Project) may not be used as part of the Plan A MS Degree. Similarly, any course similar to EIND 575 from other departments also may not be used as part of the Plan A MS Degree.
- A maximum of three credits of EIND 592 OR EIND 598 (not both) may be applied to a Plan A MS Degree electives. EIND 592/598 cannot be substituted for other 500 level requirements (see required core courses).
- It is important for research linked to faculty funded projects that the study develops some additional research question or dataset to demonstrate independence. Moreover, it is necessary for collaborative projects (multiple students) sharing some common content that each student produce a distinct and independent written theses while clearly acknowledging areas of shared effort and collaboration.
- The final graduate plan of study must comply with Graduate School Policy including the requirement that the number of 5xx-level course credits must be equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the total graded coursework, including Thesis Research credits (590).
- In addition, MS degree candidates must also satisfy all Graduate School degree and examination requirements.For Plan A the comprehensive examination is the thesis defense.
Minimum 30 credits (30 formal, graded course credits: 9 required, 21 electives).
|
Required Courses1,2 |
Credit Hours |
|
|
EIND 500
EMAN 501 EIND 574 EIND 506 |
Management & Manufacturing Systems Core Course (pick 1)
|
3
|
|
EIND 510 EIND 511
EIND 513 |
Inclusive Design & Human Systems Integration Core Course (pick 1)
|
3
|
|
EIND 554
EIND 557 EIND 558 EIND 525 EIND 509 |
Data Analytics & Decision Science Core Course (pick 1)(note: EIND 457/455/468 may be substituted)
|
3
|
|
Elective Courses within student's emphasis (maximum of 6 cr. of EIND 592, maximum of 3 cr. of EIND 598), see IMSE elective list. Additional electives at discretion of advisor. |
21 |
|
|
Total Credits |
30 |
|
The Plan C does not require a professional paper or thesis. Plan C students are likely to either be practicing engineers or continuing students who wish to acquire credits required for professional licensure. In the first case, the students have experience in practical engineering and the concepts involved in a capstone experience. In the latter case, all senior engineering students at Montana State University have completed a senior design project that is of the same depth as most professional papers, and this is also true of practically all accredited undergraduate engineering programs. Eliminating the thesis or professional paper requirement provides students the opportunity for more coursework in an area of interest. The Plan C has no comprehensive examination. Because this is a courses-only degree that requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA, there will be no further proof of proficiency. The intent is to provide education for practicing professionals.
- A maximum of three credits of EIND 592 OR EIND 598 (not both) may be applied to a Plan C MS Degree electives. EIND 592/598 cannot be substituted for other 500 level requirements (see required core courses).
- The final graduate plan of study must comply with Graduate School Policy including the requirement that the number of 5xx-level course credits must be equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the total graded coursework.
This option allows current Montana State University Engineering Undergraduates to enroll in an Accelerated IMSE M.S. program at the same time they are finishing their B.S. Learn about an Accelerated IMSE M.S. Degree here.
Minimum 30 credits (26 formal, graded course credits: 9 required, 17 elective, 4 project).
|
Required Courses1,2,3,4 |
Credit Hours |
|
|
EIND 500 |
Management & Manufacturing Systems Core Course (pick 1) |
3 |
|
EIND 510 |
Inclusive Design & Human Systems Integration Core Course (pick 1) |
3 |
|
EIND 554 |
Data Analytics & Decision Science Core Course (pick 1)(note: EIND 457/455/468 may be substituted) |
3 |
|
EIND 575 Note #1 |
Research Project (4 credits required, take 1-3 per term, a maximum of 6 may be taken but cannot take EIND 92 or 598) |
4 |
|
Elective Courses within student's emphasis (maximum of 3 cr. of EIND 592 OR 598 – not both), see IMSE elective list. Additional electives at discretion of advisor. |
17 |
|
|
Total Credits |
30 |
|
The Plan B option substitutes a submitted journal paper or conference presentation (4-6 credits EIND 575) and additional coursework in lieu of the 10 thesis credits. This option is designed for students enroute to a PhD. Students will present their research from EIND 575 to their committee for grading during the semester taken.
- Maximum of three credits of EIND 592 OR EIND 598 (not both) may be applied to a Plan B MS Degree electives if only 4 credits of EIND 575 are taken. If 6 credits of EIND 575 are taken, the student cannot take EIND 592 or EIND 598. TO enroll in EIND 592 or 598 a short proposal of 2-5 pages is required to include scope of work approved by the student's Chair, Committee and for EIND 598 the Internship Supervisor. EIND 592/598 cannot be substituted for other 500 level requirements (see required core courses).
- It is important for research linked to faculty funded projects that the study develops some additional research question or dataset to demonstrate independence. Moreover, it is necessary for collaborative projects (multiple students) sharing some common content that each student produce a distinct and independent written paper while clearly acknowledging areas of shared effort and collaboration.
- The final graduate plan of study must comply with Graduate School Policy including the requirement that the number of 5xx-level course credits must be equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the total graded coursework.
- In addition, MS degree candidates must also satisfy all Graduate School degree and examination requirement. For Plan B, the comprehensive exam is the PhD qualifying exam or fulfilled as part of the EIND 575 research presentation.
Minimum 60 credits (23 credits 5xx-level / 6xx-level) + (19 credits from MS elective course list) + (18 credits dissertation).
Up to 24 graded credits from a prior M.S. degree may be applied toward the following PHD credit requirements under the following conditions:
- be graded course credits (e.g., not M.S. thesis or independent study credits);
- have a grade of B or higher (or equivalent); and
- Be approved by the student’s graduate committee.
The application of MS graded course credits cannot replace the requirements for EGEN 694 and ENGR 610, nor the requirement to complete a minimum of 13 additional graded course credits at Montana State University as part of the current PHD degree.
|
Requirement1,2,3
|
Courses
|
Credits
|
|---|---|---|
|
Research Seminar
|
ENGR 694 or equivalent
|
2
|
|
Mentored Student Teaching
|
ENGR 685 or equivalent
|
1
|
|
Scientific Communication & Proposal Development
|
ENGR 650
|
2
|
|
Advanced Math (pick 1)
|
EIND 554 |
3
|
|
Numerical Methods |
EIND 558
|
3
|
|
Data Analytics & Decision Science (pick 1)
|
EIND 525
EIND 509 |
3
|
|
Inclusive Design & Human Systems Integration (pick 2)
|
EIND 510 |
6
|
|
Management & Manufacturing Systems (pick 2)
|
EIND 500
EMAN 501 EIND 574 EIND 506 |
6
|
|
Additional Courses
|
*Elective Courses (see electives)
|
16
|
|
Dissertation
|
EIND 690
|
18
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
60
|
- EIND 490, EIND 492, EIND 499, EIND 575, EIND 590, and EIND 598 cannot be used towards the PhD course requirements. EIND 592 may be substituted only for one EIND 4XX level course.
- Double counting is not allowed; that is, each course can be applied only to fulfill one requirement. The final graduate plan of study must comply with Graduate School Policy, including the requirement that the number of 5xx-level/6xxx-level course credits must be equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the total graded coursework, including Research credits (590) or Professional Paper/Project credits (575).
- PhD degree candidates must also satisfy all Graduate School degree and examination requirement. The PhD Qualifying Exam is conducted every February and should be taken in the 2nd semester after PhD program entry.
| Focus area | Elective courses |
|---|---|
| Inclusive Design & Human Systems Integration |
EIND 410/411, 413, 513, 525, 592 CHTH 503 NSRG 615 |
| Management & Manufacturing Systems |
EIND 434, 458, 468, 477, 506, 509, 525, 558, 592 NRSM 421 |
| Data Analytics & Decision Science |
BMGT 405 CSCI 440 |
Funding Opportunities
Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Teaching assistantships (GTAs) involve assisting professors with the conduct of their classes, including preparation and grading. Research assistantships (RAs) provide the opportunity to work on a research grant or industry sponsored project under the direction of a faculty member. All applicants will be considered for potential financial assistance and notified in their acceptance letter.
NOTE: If you are not a Montana resident, you may be eligible for 150% of in-state tuition under the WRGP-WICHE program.
Life in Bozeman
Known for its high quality of life and regularly featured on national "Best Places" lists, Bozeman combines a vibrant downtown, walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and easy access to nearby mountains and rivers. Learn more.
For questions, contact Richard Owens, richard.owens2@montana.edu, 406-994-6755.