Master's students following Plan B are not required to write a theses but must choose either a graduate project or expanded course work. A graduate project, under supervision of a professor, would be in the student's particular area of interest or speciality and would demonstrate the student's ability to define, organize, and follow through on a small research investigation. The project requires both oral and written reports. Facilities for decision support systems, facilities design and expert systems are undergoing expansion. Arrangements can also be made for graduate students to use the research facilities of other University departments.
Research is sponsored by industry and government agencies.
Examinations Each candidate for a Master's degree must pass an oral comprehensive examination. The examination covers subject matter related to the candidate's area of specialization and any other material which the examining committee thinks is pertinent. General Applicability of the Program The Master's degree program in Industrial and Management Engineering is appropriate for persons who hold baccalaureate degrees in areas other than Industrial Engineering and who desire to qualify for industrial management positions in minimum time. The program is particularly suited to electrical, mechanical, chemical, and civil engineers who are well qualified in their areas but desire a broader understanding of operational and managerial problems in order to enhance their performance and promotability in industry. The same line of reasoning can be applied to students who hold baccalaureate degrees in mathematics, the physical sciences or even business.