The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers opportunities for graduate study leading to the master of science and the doctor of philosophy degrees in industrial and systems engineering.
The Department offers three distinct master of science programs. The Master of Science in Industrial Engineering with no named option is a research program designed for students wishing to conduct research during their program. The two course-based named option programs in the MS-IE, Human Factors and Systems Engineering M.S. and Systems Engineering and Analytics M.S., are accelerated programs that can be completed in one full year of study and are designed for students wishing to pursue a career in industry or government.
The department also offers a graduate/professional certificate in Patient Safety. This certificate is an interdisciplinary effort between the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, Department of Medical Physics, and Department of Population Health Sciences.
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. |
| Fall Deadline | December 15 |
| Spring Deadline | This program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | December 15 |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency). |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
NOTE: These admissions requirements are only relevant for the M.S. research program. You can find the admissions requirements for the Human Factors and Health Systems and the Systems Engineering and Analytics programs on their respective pages.
The UW–Madison graduate program in industrial and systems engineering offers students extraordinary opportunities to pursue a course of study that is customized to the student's interests and ambitions, under the auspices of the foremost experts in their field, in one of the top-ranked industrial and systems engineering departments.
The flexible graduate curricula enables students to tailor their degree program to suit their particular needs and career objectives. Concentration areas in industrial and systems engineering includes: Decision Sciences and Operations Research, Health Systems Engineering, Human Factors and Ergonomics, Manufacturing, and Product Systems and Quality Engineering. Students also have opportunities to take graduate courses in any other departments at UW–Madison, which has a comprehensive set of top-ranked graduate and professional programs.
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
- Fall: Dec. 15th
- Reentry applicants: July 15 (fall); must consult with I SY E faculty advisor prior to reapplying
- Additional reentry information
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 applications as to their potential for admission—please review both the I SY E 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.
- Applicants must also meet department specific requirements as outlined below:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Mathematical Statistics course (for example STAT 312)
- Computer Programming course
- Three introductory courses in Industrial Engineering, such as: I SY E 313, I SY E 315, I SY E 320, I SY E 323, I SY E/PSYCH 349, I SY E 415, I SY E 417
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for this master's program in I SY E. Please visit here for more information on taking the GRE exam. Please note: Applicants should plan to take their exam by December 1 to allow scores to be sent and processed.
Note: Depending on applicant background, applicants may be deficient in up to two prerequisite courses.
APPLICATION STEPS
- Fill out an online application through the Graduate School website and pay the application fee.
- 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.
- 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 the 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 the start date of the semester that you are applying for (nonexpired).
- GRE Exam Information: The IE graduate program does require the GRE exam be taken by prospective students as part of the application but note there are no specific scoring guidelines for the exam as the GRE is only one part of the consideration for admission into the program. Exam information must be valid at the start date of the semester that you are applying for (nonexpired). Please note: Applicants should plan to take their exam by Dec. 1st to allow scores to be sent and processed.
- Electronically submit one copy of your official transcript with your application. Unofficial copies of transcripts will be accepted for review but official copies are required for admitted students.
NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT SEND MATERIALS/DOCUMENTS TO THE I SY E 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 iegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu.
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 processes related to funding.
Program Resources
Financial Assistance
Please note that most funding is available for Ph.D. students and there is limited resources for M.S. students. International students must prove one year of funding before requesting assistance.
If you choose to attend UW–Madison and plan to pursue funding on your own, the following sites could be very helpful:
To Apply For Ta or grader position
Application Process:
Teaching assistant and grader positions are appointed each semester. New TAs must submit an application each semester in order to be considered. If you currently are a TA in Industrial and Systems Engineering, you do not need to complete an application each semester.
The number of positions is limited, and the application process is highly competitive. Priority is given to those with current positions who are in good standing and would like to continue teaching. Only after these positions are filled do we look at other applicants. The number of new positions available each semester is generally low, especially in the spring. While this should not deter you from applying, please keep it in mind when planning for the semester.
The department will consider graduate students from other departments only when there are no qualified applicants from the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Expected timing for appointments:
Appointments for teaching assistants are generally made in August for the fall semester and in early December for the spring semester. Grader appointments are appointed along a similar timeline, but often a few weeks later.
Once hired:
Students hired into a TA position are required to attend the New Educator Orientation (NAO) training in late August. For more details, please see this website.
Speaking requirements for international students:
All international students applying for teaching assistant positions must meet the UW–Madison Graduate School’s requirement for spoken English BEFORE they can be considered as a TA. This requirement can be fulfilled in two ways:
- Pass the SPEAK—you can register for the SPEAK test through Aaron Webster in Room 3180 ME, aaron.webster@wisc.edu.
- Receive a 26 or higher on the speaking portion of the TOEFL test (or equivalent). Provide a copy of your score to Aaron Webster in Room 3180 ME, aaron.webster@wisc.edu
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
MODE OF INSTRUCTION
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Evening/Weekend: These programs are offered in an evening and/or weekend format to accommodate working schedules. Enjoy the advantages of on-campus courses and personal connections, while keeping your day job. For more information about the meeting schedule of a specific program, contact the program. Online: These programs are offered primarily online. Many available online programs can be completed almost entirely online with all online programs offering at least 50 percent or more of the program work online. Some online programs have an on-campus component that is often designed to accommodate working schedules. Take advantage of the convenience of online learning while participating in a rich, interactive learning environment. For more information about the online nature of a specific program, contact the program. Hybrid: These programs have innovative curricula that combine on-campus and online formats. Most hybrid programs are completed on-campus with a partial or completely online semester. For more information about the hybrid schedule of a specific program, contact the program. Accelerated: These on-campus programs are offered in an accelerated format that allows you to complete your program in a condensed time-frame. Enjoy the advantages of on-campus courses with minimal disruption to your career. For more information about the accelerated nature of a specific program, contact the program. |
CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | Half of degree coursework (15 credits out of 30 total credits) must be completed graduate-level coursework; courses with the Graduate Level Coursework attribute are identified and searchable in the university's Course Guide (https://registrar.wisc.edu/course-guide/). |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. |
| Other Grade Requirements | Grades of C and D received by a candidate in any graduate course will not be counted as credit toward the degree. These grades will be counted in the graduate GPA. |
| Assessments and Examinations | None. |
| Language Requirements | No language requirements. |
Required Courses
At least 3 (and at most 6) credits of I SY E 790 Master's Research and Thesis are required. I SY E 890 Pre-Dissertator's Research may be substituted for this requirement for I Sy E Ph.D. students.
At least 18 credits must be courses in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department (cross-listed courses count for this requirement).
Students choose one of the research areas below. The program recommends working with your faculty advisors to answer any questions and to form a plan of study.
More information available on our Research Page. Course Planning Grid MS (Research).
Decision Science/Operations Research Area1
Highly Recommended Courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I SY E 516 | Introduction to Decision Analysis | 3 |
| I SY E/COMP SCI/E C E 524 | Introduction to Optimization | 3 |
| I SY E/COMP SCI/MATH/STAT 525 | Linear Optimization | 3 |
| I SY E 620 | Simulation Modeling and Analysis | 3 |
| I SY E 624 | Stochastic Modeling Techniques | 3 |
Other Suggested Courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I SY E 412 | Fundamentals of Industrial Data Analytics | 3 |
| I SY E/COMP SCI/MATH 425 | Introduction to Combinatorial Optimization | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 512 | Inspection, Quality Control and Reliability | 3 |
| I SY E 517 | Decision Making in Health Care | 3 |
| I SY E 575 | Introduction to Quality Engineering | 3 |
| I SY E 612 | Information Sensing and Analysis for Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| I SY E/MATH/OTM/STAT 632 | Introduction to Stochastic Processes | 3 |
| I SY E 645 | Engineering Models for Supply Chains | 3 |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Health Systems Engineering Research Area1
Highly Recommended Courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I SY E 417 | Health Systems Engineering | 3 |
| I SY E 517 | Decision Making in Health Care | 3 |
| I SY E 601 | Special Topics in Industrial Engineering | 1-3 |
| I SY E/MED PHYS 559 | Patient Safety and Error Reduction in Healthcare | 2 |
| I SY E/POP HLTH 703 | Quality of Health Care: Evaluation and Assurance | 1-3 |
Other Suggested Courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I SY E 412 | Fundamentals of Industrial Data Analytics | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 513 | Analysis of Capital Investments | 3 |
| I SY E 515 | Engineering Management of Continuous Process Improvement | 3 |
| I SY E 516 | Introduction to Decision Analysis | 3 |
| I SY E 575 | Introduction to Quality Engineering | 3 |
| I SY E/PHARMACY 608 | Safety and Quality in the Medication Use System | 3 |
| I SY E 615 | Production Systems Control | 3 |
| I SY E/B M I 617 | Health Information Systems | 3 |
| I SY E 620 | Simulation Modeling and Analysis | 3 |
| I SY E 624 | Stochastic Modeling Techniques | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 643 | Performance Analysis of Manufacturing Systems | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 652 | Sociotechnical Systems | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 653 | Organization and Job Design | 3 |
| I SY E/M H R 729 | Behavioral Analysis of Management Decision Making | 3 |
| I SY E 555 | Human Performance and Accident Causation | 3 |
| I SY E/POP HLTH 875 | Cost Effectiveness Analysis in Health and Healthcare | 3 |
| B M I/COMP SCI 576 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3 |
| B M I 773 | Clinical Research Informatics | 3 |
| B M I/COMP SCI 776 | Advanced Bioinformatics | 3 |
| OTM 753 | Healthcare Operations Management | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 711 | Current Topics in Educational Psychology | 1-3 |
| NURSING 761 | Health Program Planning, Evaluation, and Quality Improvement | 3 |
| POP HLTH/SOC 797 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| POP HLTH 876 | Measuring Health Outcomes | 3 |
| PSYCH 610 | Statistical Analysis of Psychological Experiments | 3 |
| PSYCH 710 | Design and Analysis of Psychological Experiments | 3 |
| STAT/F&W ECOL/HORT 571 | Statistical Methods for Bioscience I | 4 |
| STAT/B M I 641 | Statistical Methods for Clinical Trials | 3 |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Area1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I SY E/COMP SCI/DS 518 | Wearable Technology | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 549 | Human Factors Engineering | 3 |
| I SY E 552 | Human Factors Engineering Design and Evaluation | 3 |
| I SY E 555 | Human Performance and Accident Causation | 3 |
| I SY E/MED PHYS 559 | Patient Safety and Error Reduction in Healthcare | 2 |
| I SY E/B M E 564 | Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics | 3 |
| I SY E 601 | Special Topics in Industrial Engineering | 1-3 |
| I SY E 610 | Design of Program Evaluation Systems | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 652 | Sociotechnical Systems | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 653 | Organization and Job Design | 3 |
| I SY E/B M E 662 | Design and Human Disability and Aging | 3 |
| I SY E 699 | Advanced Independent Study | 1-5 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 854 | Special Topics in Organization Design | 1-3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 859 | Special Topics in Human Factors Engineering | 1-3 |
| I SY E 961 | Graduate Seminar in Industrial Engineering | 1-3 |
| CIV ENGR 679 | Special Topics in Transportation and City Planning | 3 |
Various courses count as "Tools and Methods." The HFE faculty group updates the list of "Tools and Methods" courses and advisors decide which set of courses are appropriate for each student. The following are categories of "Tools and Methods": Research Methods, Statistics, Qualitative Research, Biomechanics Methods, and Psychology. Students can work with their faculty advisor for non-I SY E course work.
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Manufacturing and Production Systems Research Area1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I SY E 412 | Fundamentals of Industrial Data Analytics | 3 |
| I SY E 415 | Introduction to Manufacturing Systems, Design and Analysis | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 510 | Facilities Planning | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 512 | Inspection, Quality Control and Reliability | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 513 | Analysis of Capital Investments | 3 |
| I SY E 515 | Engineering Management of Continuous Process Improvement | 3 |
| I SY E 575 | Introduction to Quality Engineering | 3 |
| I SY E 601 | Special Topics in Industrial Engineering | 1-3 |
| I SY E 605 | Computer Integrated Manufacturing | 3 |
| I SY E 612 | Information Sensing and Analysis for Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| I SY E 615 | Production Systems Control | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 641 | Design and Analysis of Manufacturing Systems | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 643 | Performance Analysis of Manufacturing Systems | 3 |
| I SY E 645 | Engineering Models for Supply Chains | 3 |
| STAT/M E 424 | Statistical Experimental Design | 3 |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Quality Engineering Research Area1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I SY E 412 | Fundamentals of Industrial Data Analytics | 3 |
| I SY E 417 | Health Systems Engineering | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 512 | Inspection, Quality Control and Reliability | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 513 | Analysis of Capital Investments | 3 |
| I SY E 515 | Engineering Management of Continuous Process Improvement | 3 |
| I SY E 520 | Quality Assurance Systems | 3 |
| I SY E 575 | Introduction to Quality Engineering | 3 |
| I SY E 601 | Special Topics in Industrial Engineering | 1-3 |
| I SY E 610 | Design of Program Evaluation Systems | 3 |
| I SY E 612 | Information Sensing and Analysis for Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| I SY E 620 | Simulation Modeling and Analysis | 3 |
| I SY E/M E 641 | Design and Analysis of Manufacturing Systems | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 652 | Sociotechnical Systems | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 653 | Organization and Job Design | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 854 | Special Topics in Organization Design | 1-3 |
| M H R 700 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| OTM 758 | Managing Technological and Organizational Change | 3 |
| OTM 770 | Sustainable Approaches to System Improvement | 4 |
| STAT 333 | Applied Regression Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 349 | Introduction to Time Series | 3 |
| STAT 411 | An Introduction to Sample Survey Theory and Methods | 3 |
| STAT 421 | Applied Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 701 | Applied Time Series Analysis, Forecasting and Control I | 3 |
| STAT/MATH 803 | Experimental Design I | 3 |
| STAT 849 | Theory and Application of Regression and Analysis of Variance I | 3 |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Named Options (Sub-Majors)
A named option is a formally documented sub-major within an academic major program. Named options appear on the transcript with degree conferral.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Graduate Program Handbook
The Graduate Program Handbook is the repository for all of the program's policies and requirements.
Prior Coursework
Graduate Work from Other Institutions
Not allowed for graduate residence credit requirement but allowed for graduate degree credit requirement and graduate coursework (50%) requirement. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
UW–Madison Undergraduate
Not allowed for graduate residence credit requirement for master's thesis option or the Ph.D. track but allowed up to 6 credits numbered 300 level or above toward the graduate degree credit requirement for master's course option tracks but not toward the 50% graduate coursework except for 700 level or above courses. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
UW–Madison University Special
Allowed up to 15 credits numbered 300 or above toward graduate residence credit requirement and graduate degree credit requirement. If the courses were numbered 700 or above they may count toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. Coursework earned five or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
The Graduate School regularly reviews the record of any student who earned grades of BC, C, D, F, or Incomplete in a graduate course (300 or above), or grade of U in research credits. This review could result in academic probation with a hold on future enrollment or in being suspended from the Graduate School.
ADVISOR / COMMITTEE
Per Graduate School policy, every graduate student MUST have a faculty advisor. A faculty advisor provides the graduate student with academic guidance regarding their course selection and research oversight in their thesis or project. Graduate students should always seek advice from their advisor and other faculty in their interest area prior to enrolling for courses.
CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED
Enrollment of 12 credits or less recommended. (Full time status considered 8-12 credits).
Time Constraints
Master’s degree students who have been absent for five or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.
Other
n/a
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Program Resources
THE INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
An Individual Development Plan helps with self-assessment, planning, and communication:
- An IDP can help you communicate your professional development and career planning needs and intentions to others including your mentor, which can lead to helpful advice and resources.
- You can use the IDP to make sure you and your mentor’s expectations are clearly outlined and in agreement so that there are no big surprises, particularly at the end of your training.
- The current job market is challenging and research has shown that individuals who perform structured career planning achieve greater career success and satisfaction.
The onus to engage in the IDP process is on you – although your mentor, PI, or others may encourage and support you in doing so. The IDP itself remains private to you, and you choose which parts to share with which mentors. Through the IDP process, you may decide to identify various mentors to whom you can go for expertise and advice.
ENGINEERING CAREER SERVICES
Julie Rae, Assistant Director for Graduate Student Career Services
GRADUATE students in all Engineering programs
- Resumes & Cover Letters https://ecs.wisc.edu/students/resumes-and-cover-letters/
- Job Search Strategies
- Job Offers & Negotiation https://ecs.wisc.edu/students/offers-and-negotiation/
- CPT for Graduate Students https://ecs.wisc.edu/students/co-op-and-internship/
- Student appointments: Click Here to schedule an appointment with ECS.
Employer Recruitment List for Industrial Engineering Students: https://ecs.wiscweb.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/86/2017/03/IE-Employer-Recruitment-List-17-18.pdf
UW WRITING CENTER
Location: 6171 Helen C. White Hall
Tel: (608) 263-1992
The UW Writing Center provides free of charge face-to-face and online consultations that focus on a number of different writing scenarios (i.e. drafts of course papers, resumes, reports, application essays, cover letters, theses, etc). Writing Center instructors will not edit or proofread papers. Instead, their goal is to teach students to edit and proofread on their own in order to become a better, more confident writer.
- Articulates, critiques, or elaborates the theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry or schools of practice in industrial and systems engineering including areas such as decision science and operations research, quality engineering, manufacturing and health systems, and/or human factors.
- Identifies sources and assembles evidence pertaining to questions or challenges in industrial and systems engineering.
- Demonstrates understanding of the industrial and systems engineering field of study in a historical, social, or global context.
- Selects and/or utilizes the most appropriate industrial and systems engineering methodologies and practices.
- Evaluates or synthesizes information pertaining to questions or challenges in industrial and systems engineering.
- Communicates clearly in ways appropriate to industrial and systems engineering.
- Recognizes and applies principles of ethical and professional conduct.
FACULTY
PROFESSORS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS
AFFILIATE FACULTY
- Barbara Bowers
- Elizabeth S. Burnside
- Molly Carnes
- Peter Chien
- Gregory DeCroix
- Michael Ferris
- Caprice Greenberg
- Po-ling Loh
- Eneida Mendonca
- Bilge Mutlu
- David Noyce
- Kevin Ponto
- Carla Pugh
- Andrew Quanbeck
- Thomas Rutherford
- Nasia Safdar
- Mary Elizabeth Sesto
- Dhavan V. Shah
- Maureen A. Smith
- Linsey Steege
- Bruce R. Thomadsen
- David J. Vanness
- Rebecca Willett
- Stephen J. Wright
- Victor Zavala