This is a named option within the Industrial Engineering MS.

The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers this Master of Science (MS) industrial engineering degree with a named option in Research. This degree program takes approximately two years to complete. This program has a significant research component, giving students valuable hands-on research experience with mentoring by faculty in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.

The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering focuses on four main research areas:

Operations Research, Optimization, and Analytics
Health Systems Engineering
Human Factors and Ergonomics
Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial AI

All students are mentored by the world-class faculty in the industrial and systems engineering department at UW–Madison. For a list of industrial and systems engineering faculty along with faculty research interests, please visit our faculty directory. For more information on research areas see our page on research in Industrial and Systems Engineering.

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 1
Spring Deadline This program does not admit in the spring.
Summer Deadline December 1
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) 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

NOTE: These admissions requirements are only relevant for the MS-Industrial Engineering-Research named option. You can find the admissions requirements for the Human Factors and Health Systems and the Systems Engineering and Analytics named options on their respective pages. 

This program offers admitted applicants 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 enable admitted applicants 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. Admitted applicants 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 Requirements

Application deadlines are strictly enforced and ALL application materials including transcripts, English proficiency 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 department and Graduate School requirements for admission, and if you feel you meet the necessary criteria for applying, please do so.

  1. Applicants must first meet all of the requirements of the Graduate School. 
  2. Applicants must also meet department specific requirements as outlined below:

Note: Depending on applicant background, applicants may be deficient in up to two prerequisite courses.

Application Steps

  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 ISyE and discuss which UW faculty members they would be interested in doing research with during their graduate study. 
  4. English Proficiency Scores: International degree-seeking applicants must prove English proficiency using the Graduate School's requirements. Please note: Exam information must be valid at start date of the semester that you are applying for (nonexpired).
  5. GRE Exam Information: The program requires the GRE exam be taken by prospective students as part of the application. Note there are no specific scoring guidelines for the exam as the GRE is only one part of consideration for admission into the program. Please note: Exam information must be valid at start date of the semester that you are applying for (nonexpired).
  6. Electronically submit one copy of your unofficial transcript with your application.  If admitted, official transcripts of all undergraduate and previous graduate work are required. Unofficial copies of transcripts will be accepted for review. 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: Submission must be accompanied by the one-time application fee. It is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (Master Card or VISA) or debit/ATM. By state law, this fee can only be waived or deferred through the conditions outlined here by the Graduate School.

Note: Please do not send materials/documents to the Department or Graduate School until you are recommended for admissions. 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

Graduate Assistantships

For information specific to graduate assistantships within the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, please consult the department's graduate program handbook.

Financial Assistance

If you choose to attend UW–Madison and plan to pursue funding on your own, the following sites could be very helpful:

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 the 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 No

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

I SY E courses 118
I SY E 790 Master's Research and Thesis3-6
or I SY E 890 Pre-Dissertator's Research
Electives with advisor approval6-9
Total Credits30
1

I SY E 699 Advanced Independent Study may not be used to meet degree credit requirements. Students may count up to 3 credits of I SY E 702 Graduate Cooperative Education Program

2

At most 3 credits of I SY E 702 Graduate Cooperative Education Program, may be applied to meet the credit requirements.

Students may choose to specialize in one of the below research areas. The program recommends working with your faculty advisors to answer any questions and to form a plan of study.

Operations Research, Optimization, and Analytics1

Highly Recommended Courses
I SY E 516 Introduction to Decision Analysis3
I SY E/​COMP SCI/​E C E  524 Introduction to Optimization3
I SY E/​COMP SCI/​MATH/​STAT  525 Linear Optimization3
I SY E 620 Simulation Modeling and Analysis3
I SY E 624 Stochastic Modeling Techniques3
Other Suggested Courses
I SY E 412 Fundamentals of Industrial Data Analytics3
I SY E/​COMP SCI/​MATH  425 Introduction to Combinatorial Optimization3
I SY E/​M E  512 Inspection, Quality Control and Reliability3
I SY E 517 Decision Making in Health Care3
I SY E 575 Introduction to Quality Engineering3
I SY E 603 Special Topics in Engineering Analytics and Operations Research1-3
I SY E 612 Information Sensing and Analysis for Manufacturing Processes3
I SY E 604 Special Topics in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management1-3
I SY E/​MATH/​OTM/​STAT  632 Introduction to Stochastic Processes3
I SY E 645 Engineering Models for Supply Chains3
1

These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

Health Systems Engineering1 

Highly Recommended Courses
I SY E 417 Health Systems Engineering3
I SY E 517 Decision Making in Health Care3
I SY E 606 Special Topics in Healthcare Systems Engineering1-3
I SY E/​POP HLTH  703 Quality of Health Care: Evaluation and Assurance1-3
Other Suggested Courses
I SY E 412 Fundamentals of Industrial Data Analytics3
I SY E 515 Engineering Management of Continuous Process Improvement3
I SY E 516 Introduction to Decision Analysis3
I SY E 575 Introduction to Quality Engineering3
I SY E/​PHARMACY  608 Safety and Quality in the Medication Use System3
I SY E 601 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering1-3
I SY E 602 Special Topics in Human Factors 23
I SY E 603 Special Topics in Engineering Analytics and Operations Research1-3
I SY E 615 Production Systems Control3
I SY E/​B M I  617 Health Information Systems3
I SY E 620 Simulation Modeling and Analysis3
I SY E 624 Stochastic Modeling Techniques3
I SY E/​M E  643 Performance Analysis of Manufacturing Systems3
I SY E/​M H R  729 Behavioral Analysis of Management Decision Making3
I SY E 555 Human Performance and Accident Causation3
I SY E/​POP HLTH  875 Cost Effectiveness Analysis in Health and Healthcare3
B M I/​COMP SCI  576 Introduction to Bioinformatics3
B M I 773 Clinical Research Informatics3
B M I/​COMP SCI  776 Advanced Bioinformatics3
OTM 753 Healthcare Operations Management3
ED PSYCH 711 Current Topics in Educational Psychology1-3
NURSING 761 Health Program Planning, Evaluation, and Quality Improvement3
POP HLTH/​SOC  797 Introduction to Epidemiology3
POP HLTH 876 Measuring Health Outcomes3
PSYCH 610 Design and Analysis of Psychological Experiments I4
PSYCH 710 Design and Analysis of Psychological Experiments II4
STAT/​F&W ECOL  571 Statistical Methods for Bioscience I4
STAT/​B M I  641 Statistical Methods for Clinical Trials3
1

These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

2

Topics vary for this course. Obtain advance approval from your faculty advisor.

Human Factors and Ergonomics1 

Highly Recommended Courses
I SY E/​COMP SCI/​DS  518 Wearable Technology3
I SY E/​PSYCH  549 Human Factors Engineering3
I SY E 552 Human Factors Engineering Design and Evaluation3
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 601 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering 21-3
I SY E 602 Special Topics in Human Factors3
I SY E/​B M E  662 Design and Human Disability and Aging3
I SY E 699 Advanced Independent Study1-5
I SY E/​PSYCH  854 Special Topics in Organization Design1-3
I SY E/​PSYCH  859 Special Topics in Human Factors Engineering1-3
I SY E 961 Graduate Seminar in Industrial Engineering1-3
CIV ENGR 679 Special Topics in Transportation and City Planning3

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 pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

2

Topics vary for this course. Obtain advance approval from your faculty advisor.

Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial AI1

Highly Recommended Courses
I SY E 412 Fundamentals of Industrial Data Analytics3
I SY E 415 Introduction to Manufacturing Systems, Design and Analysis3
I SY E/​M E  510 Facilities Planning3
I SY E/​M E  512 Inspection, Quality Control and Reliability3
I SY E 515 Engineering Management of Continuous Process Improvement3
I SY E 575 Introduction to Quality Engineering3
I SY E 601 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering 21-3
I SY E 603 Special Topics in Engineering Analytics and Operations Research1-3
I SY E 604 Special Topics in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management1-3
I SY E 605 Computer Integrated Manufacturing3
I SY E 612 Information Sensing and Analysis for Manufacturing Processes3
I SY E 615 Production Systems Control3
I SY E/​M E  641 Design and Analysis of Manufacturing Systems3
I SY E/​M E  643 Performance Analysis of Manufacturing Systems3
I SY E 645 Engineering Models for Supply Chains3
STAT/​M E  424 Statistical Experimental Design3
1

These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

2

Topics vary for this course. Obtain advance approval from your faculty advisor.

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

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

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

Credits are not allowed for the graduate residence credit requirement, but students can transfer up to 6 credits from another institution or numbered 300 or above from the undergraduate career completed at UW-Madison toward the graduate degree credit requirement. Transfer credits from other institutions must be equivalent to the rigor of UW-Madison courses numbered 300 and above. The 50% graduate coursework requirement can only be met by courses numbered 700 or above. 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 the Graduate School: Advisor policy, every graduate student MUST have a faculty advisor. Graduate students should always seek advice from their advisor and other faculty in their interest area prior to enrolling for courses.

If pursuing a thesis option, students should discuss forming a committee with their advisor, if needed.  Refer to the Graduate School: Committees (Doctoral/Master’s/MFA) policy.

Credits Per Term Allowed

Enrollment of 12 credits or less recommended.  (Full time status considered 8-12 credits).

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

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.

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

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-Industrial and Systems Engineering, Research named option 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 the department 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. 

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

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.