This is a named option course-based program within the Industrial and Systems Engineering MS.

By examining, designing, testing, and evaluating products, environments, and how people interact with them, Human Factors and Health Systems Engineering professionals can create productive, safe, and satisfying environments for humans, and apply industrial and systems engineering tools and approaches to specific health care problems.

Is This Program Right for You?

The demand for engineers who can combine a concern for the human component with traditional engineering principles is great. The Human Factors and Health Systems Engineering program provides students content from physical ergonomics, cognitive ergonomics, macroergonomics, and broad issues in health care, including long-term care, prevention, quality improvement, health care financing, and system evaluation.

This program considers human reliability, psychomotor capabilities, and human characteristics in equipment, as an important aspect of equipment design is human-computer interaction. Engineers are concerned with the complex physical relationships between people, machines, job demands, and work methods, design, work quality, and assessment of skill. Also important are organizational issues such as management approaches, job design, participative problem solving, psychological stress, job satisfaction, performance effectiveness, product/service quality, and quality of work life.

Effective model building requires strong systems analysis skills. While skill in manipulating statistical and mathematical models is essential to an industrial engineer’s success, the health systems engineer must also be able to initiate resolutions to strategic problems using knowledge of how organizational decisions are made.

See the Learning Outcomes for this program.

If you have questions, please contact COE Grad Admissions at iegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu; Subject Line: IE Grad Admissions and I Sy E. Seniors please contact Pam Peterson, prpeterson@wisc.edu.

Admissions

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 September 1
Summer Deadline The program does not admit in the summer.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Not required.
English Proficiency Test Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241.
Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) n/a
Letters of Recommendation Required 3

Deadlines

Please submit all application materials by the fall deadline to ensure full review of your application. Applications submitted after the fall deadline through March 15 will be reviewed if complete and will be considered for admission by the department if space is available. To check if space is available, please email: iegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu.

Admission

Applicants must first meet all of the requirements of the Graduate School. 

  • Applicants must also meet department specific requirements as outlined below:
    • BS degree in engineering or related area or equivalent
    • Mathematical Statistics Course (for example, STAT 312 Introduction to Theory and Methods of Mathematical Statistics II or I SY E 210 Introduction to Industrial Statistics)
    • International degree-seeking applicants must prove English proficiency using the Graduate School's requirements.
  • The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for this master's program. If GRE scores are submitted, they will not be used in admission decisions.

UW-Madison Student Applicants Only

UW–Madison undergraduate students applying to this program must submit an unofficial UW transcript.

UW-Madison Industrial and Systems Engineering (I SY E) Student Applicants Only

Three letters of recommendation are NOT required for students completing their Industrial Engineering bachelor’s degree at UW. Please note that the application system will still require you to list three individuals as recommenders. You are welcome to list Sinan Tas, Pam Peterson, and Amanda Smith to bypass this requirement.

How to Apply

  1. Fill out an online application through the Graduate School website.
  2. 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.
  3.  Submit a Statement of Purpose with your online application.  In this document, applicants should explain why they want to pursue further education in Industrial and Systems Engineering. 
  4. English Proficiency Exam Information: If you have your scores sent to UW-Madison, they will be available online to all departments to which you have applied. See Graduate School Requirements for more information.
  5. GRE Exam Information: The Industrial Engineering graduate program does not require the GRE for this program. If GRE scores are submitted, they will not be used in admission decisions.
  6. Electronically submit one copy of your unofficial transcript with your application.  Unofficial copies of transcripts are required for review. Official copies are required for admitted applicants. Please do not send transcripts or any other application materials to the Graduate School or gradadmission@engr.wisc.edu.
  7. Upload your resume in your application.
  8. Pay the Application Fee: Information about the application fee may be found in the Graduate School FAQs. Fee grants are available through the conditions outlined by the Graduate School.

Do not send materials/documents to the department or Graduate School until you are recommended for admission. All documents should be uploaded with your application.

Questions

Check out the Admissions FAQ or contact us at iegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu.

Funding 

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.

Program Resources

Tuition information for this program is available here. Beginning in the fall semester of 2021, resident and resident reciprocity students are eligible for a tuition scholarship. Details here.

Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.

Additional Resources

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 four credits during the fall and spring semesters and two 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.

On This Page

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

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

Named Option Requirements

Mode of Instruction

Face to Face Evening/Weekend Online Hybrid Accelerated
Yes No No No Yes

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement 30 credits
Minimum Residence Credit Requirement 16 credits
Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244.
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement 3.00 GPA required.
Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203.
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

Of the required credits, all must be numbered 300 or higher; at most, 6 credits may be numbered 300-399, and at least 15 must be at the graduate level. At least 18 credits must be in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department (I SY E), and at least 16 credits must be taken as a graduate student in residence at UW-Madison. A total of at most 6 credits from independent study (e.g.,I SY E 699), research (e.g., I SY E 790), and internship/co-op (I SY E 702) courses may satisfy degree requirements.

Below is a typical curriculum for those pursuing an MS in Industrial Engineering with the course options in Human Factors and Health Systems Engineering. Please note the Human Factors and Health Systems Engineering program is a customizable program and students should work out other course options with their faculty advisor.

Fall Potential Courses

I SY E 313 Engineering Economic Analysis3
I SY E/​PSYCH  349 Introduction to Human Factors3
I SY E 417 Health Systems Engineering3
I SY E/​M E  512 Inspection, Quality Control and Reliability3
I SY E 515 Engineering Management of Continuous Process Improvement3
I SY E/​PSYCH  549 Human Factors Engineering3
I SY E 601 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering1-3
I SY E 602 Special Topics in Human Factors3
I SY E 606 Special Topics in Healthcare Systems Engineering1-3
I SY E/​PHARMACY  608 Safety and Quality in the Medication Use System3
I SY E/​PSYCH  653 Organization and Job Design3
I SY E 699 Advanced Independent Study1-5

Spring Potential Courses

I SY E 313 Engineering Economic Analysis3
I SY E/​PSYCH  349 Introduction to Human Factors3
I SY E 417 Health Systems Engineering3
I SY E/​M E  512 Inspection, Quality Control and Reliability3
I SY E 555 Human Performance and Accident Causation3
I SY E 562 Human Factors of Data Science and Machine Learning3
I SY E/​B M E  564 Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics3
I SY E 575 Introduction to Quality Engineering3
I SY E 601 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering1-3
I SY E 602 Special Topics in Human Factors3
I SY E 606 Special Topics in Healthcare Systems Engineering1-3
I SY E/​PHARMACY  608 Safety and Quality in the Medication Use System3
I SY E/​B M I  617 Health Information Systems3
I SY E/​B M E  662 Design and Human Disability and Aging3

 Summer Potential Courses

I SY E 313 Engineering Economic Analysis3
I SY E/​PSYCH  349 Introduction to Human Factors3
I SY E 516 Introduction to Decision Analysis3
I SY E 575 Introduction to Quality Engineering3
I SY E 601 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering1-3
I SY E 602 Special Topics in Human Factors3
I SY E 606 Special Topics in Healthcare Systems Engineering1-3
I SY E 699 Advanced Independent Study1-5
I SY E 702 Graduate Cooperative Education Program1-2

Other Department Suggested Courses

NURSING 761 Health Program Planning, Evaluation, and Quality Improvement3
POP HLTH/​SOC  797 Introduction to Epidemiology3
POP HLTH/​I SY E  875 Cost Effectiveness Analysis in Health and Healthcare3
POP HLTH 876 Measuring Health Outcomes3
OTM 451 Service Operations Management3
OTM 753 Healthcare Operations Management3
OTM 770 Sustainable Approaches to System Improvement4
B M I 773 Clinical Research Informatics3
B M I/​COMP SCI  576 Introduction to Bioinformatics3
B M I/​COMP SCI  776 Advanced Bioinformatics3
COMP SCI/​ED PSYCH/​PSYCH  770 Human-Computer Interaction3
E M A 601 Special Topics in Engineering Mechanics1-3
M H R 412 Management Consulting3

Policy

Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.

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.

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions

With program approval, students may transfer no more than 9 credits of graduate course work from other institutions. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

UW-Madison students completing their bachelor’s degree in the Industrial and Systems Engineering department may transfer up to 6 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above toward the degree with prior program approval. Undergraduate credits earned at other institutions may transfer. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Per Graduate School: Advisor policy, every graduate student MUST have a faculty advisor. Students in this program will be advised by the department's Director of Professional Masters Programs. The 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 is highly recommended.

Time Limits

This program is designed to be completed in 16 months. Students who have an undergraduate degree from UW-Madison can typically complete the program in 12 months. Internship and co-operative (co-op) work experiences are an optional component to this degree. The program must be completed within 24 months for students who plan to include internship or co-op work experiences during their program. The ISyE department does not guarantee availability of internship or co-op positions.

The student is required to meet their academic advisor during their first semester to discuss and obtain approval of the course plan for the remainder of their program. In situations where the student cannot finish the program in 24 months due to exceptional circumstances, the exception must be requested by the student and approved by the student’s academic advisor and the academic affairs committee.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

Grievance Procedures: Industrial and Systems Engineering

If a graduate student feels unfairly treated or aggrieved by faculty, staff, or another student, the University offers several avenues to resolve the grievance. Student’s concerns about unfair treatment are best handled directly with the person responsible for the objectionable action. If the student is uncomfortable making direct contact with the individual(s) involved, they should contact the advisor or the person in charge of the unit where the action occurred (program or department chair, section chair, lab manager, etc). Many departments and schools/colleges have established specific procedures for handling such situations; check their web pages and published handbooks for information. If such procedures exist at the local level, these should be investigated first. For more information, see the College of Engineering Policies and Procedures. The Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs provides overall leadership for graduate education in the College of Engineering (CoE), and is a point of contact for graduate students who have concerns about education, mentoring, research, or other difficulties.

Procedures for handling graduate student grievances against ISyE faculty, staff, or students:

  1. The student is encouraged to speak first with the person toward whom the grievance is directed to see if a situation can be resolved at this level.

  2. Should a satisfactory resolution not be achieved, the student should contact the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs, to discuss the grievance. The Associate Chair will facilitate problem resolution through informal channels and facilitate any complaints or issues of students. The first attempt is to help students informally address the grievance prior to any formal complaint. Students are also encouraged to talk with their faculty advisors regarding concerns or difficulties, if necessary. University resources for sexual harassment, discrimination, disability accommodations, and other related concerns can be found on the UW Office of Compliance website.

  3. If the issue is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student can submit the grievance to the Grievance Advisor, which may be either the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs or the Department Chair, as chosen by the student. The grievance should be submitted in writing, within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.

  4. On receipt of a written complaint, the Grievance Advisor will form a faculty committee that will review the complaint and gather further information as necessary from the filer of the complaint and other parties involved (including the party toward whom the complaint is directed).

  5. The faculty committee will determine a decision regarding the grievance. The Grievance Advisor will report on the action taken by the committee in writing to both the student and the party toward whom the complaint was directed within 15 working days from the date the complaint was received. 

  6. At this point, if either party (the student or the person toward whom the grievance is directed) is unsatisfied with the decision of the faculty committee, the party may file a written appeal to the College of Engineering Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs. Either party has 10 working days to file a written appeal to the School/College.

  7. Documentation of the grievance will be stored for at least 7 years. Significant grievances that set a precedent will be stored indefinitely.

  8. The Graduate School has procedures for students wishing to appeal a grievance decision made at the school/college level. These policies are described in the Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures - Grievances & Appeals.

Other

Policies on Program Transfer

  • It is not allowed to transfer between the Human Factors and Health Systems Engineering and MSIE research-option programs.
  • If a student currently in another graduate program wants to transfer to the course option MSIE they should follow the general application procedure for the course option MSIE program along with submitting an Add/Change of Program, Plan or Named Option Request online through the Graduate School.

Graduate Assistant Positions

Students are strongly discouraged to pursue positions as Project Assistants, Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants during their time in this program, as the rigor and accelerated nature of this program may not accommodate those work time commitments. Students in this program will not receive the tuition remission that is typically part of the compensation package for a graduate assistantship.

Continuing to the PhD Program

  • Admission and successful completion of the MS program does not imply admittance to the PhD program. Students wishing to take the PhD qualifying exam must first be admitted to the PhD program.
  • MS students wishing to continue to the PhD program must have their admission to the PhD program recommended by an Industrial and Systems Engineering faculty member with tenure home in Industrial and Systems Engineering who is willing to serve as the student’s PhD advisor. The admission of such students will then be evaluated by the associate chair for graduate affairs or admissions committee using the same evaluation process as for all PhD program applicants.
  • To apply to the PhD program, log in to MyUW, click on Graduate Student Portal, and then click on Add/Change Programs. Select the information for the program for which you are applying.

For additional information, please contact iegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu.

Professional Development 

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

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

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

Phone: (608) 263-1992

The UW Writing Center provides free 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 better, more confident writers.

People

Professors

Laura Albert 
Oguzhan Alagoz
John D. Lee
Jeffrey Linderoth
Kaibo Liu
James Luedtke
Ranjana Mehta
Robert Radwin
Raj Veeramani

Doug Wiegmann
Shiyu Zhou (Chair)

Associate Professors

Alberto Del Pia
Tony McDonald
Gabriel Zayas-Cabán

Assistant Professors

Dan Li
Carla Michini
Yonatan Mintz 
Hantang Qin
Andi Wang
Qiaomin Xie

Teaching Professors

Amanda Smith

Teaching Faculty

Hannah Silber
Sinan Tas
Tina Xu

Lecturers

Terry Mann

Undergraduate Advisors

Michele Crandell
Missy Moreau

Jamie Utphall

Graduate Program Coordinator

Pam Peterson

See also Industrial and Systems Engineering Faculty Directory.