General Background & Requirements

1. General Background and Requirements

1.1 Admission Requirements
1.2 Graduate Assisantships
1.3 Graduation Requirements

This packet contains a brief overview of graduate study options offered by the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). Those wishing additional information are encouraged to contact Dr. Michael E. Kuhl, Graduate Program Coordinator, at mekeie@rit.edu or (585) 475-2134, Dr. Jacqueline R. Mozrall, Department Head, or Ms. Marilyn Houck, Senior Staff Assistant, at (585) 475-2598.

1. General Background and Requirements

The IE discipline centers on the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, material, information, equipment and energy. IE uses the specialized knowledge and skills in the mathematical, physical, computer and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems. The overarching goal of IE is the efficiency and optimization of the enterprise, regardless of whether the activity engaged in is a manufacturing or a service-related industry. Industrial engineers draw on a variety of skills in the academic study areas of applied statistics/quality, ergonomics/human factors, operations research/simulation, manufacturing, and systems engineering.

The ISE Department offers several different degree options to meet the diverse interests of students seeking to continue their engineering education:

• Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (MSIE)
  Official RIT Code - EIER
• Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering (MEIE)
  Official RIT Code - EIEG
• Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering (MESE)
  Official RIT Code - EIES
• Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (MEEM)
  Official RIT Code - EIEM

There are also accelerated dual degree programs, which combine the undergraduate degree (BSIE) with each master degree program listed above (e.g., BS/MS, BS/MEIE, BS/MESE, BS/MEEM). These programs have different credit hour/degree requirements that are described in detail in Sections 3 and 4. There is also an accelerated dual degree offered jointly with business (BSIE/MBA) that is described in Section 5, and an accelerated dual degree offered jointly with the Center for Quality and Applied Statistics (BSIE/MSAS) the is described in Section 6.

Part-time students typically take eight credit hours (two courses) per quarter and normally complete the program in six academic quarters spread over two years. Full-time students may finish sooner, depending upon course scheduling and availability. Most courses are offered Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday from 4 to 6 PM, 6 to 8 PM, or 8 to 10 PM, with some Master of Science courses offered during the day.

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1.1 Admission Requirements

Admission to the ISE Graduate Program is determined based on the full evaluation of the application and accompanying material including undergraduate degree program, transcript, and GPA, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (if required), letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose. The GRE is required for all students applying to the MS program. For students applying to one of the dual degree programs, please refer to the corresponding section of this manual for specific admission requirements.

Although applications may be submitted at any time, to be sure that your application will receive full consideration for admission to RIT in the fall quarter of the next academic year, the following deadlines should be observed:

Application Timeline for Fall Quarter:
January 15: All application materials must be received
March 1: Notification of admission decision/graduate assistantship decision

The general entrance requirements consist of a BS degree in engineering, mathematics or science, and a minimum equivalent cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00/4.00. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 paper-based (213 computer-based) is required for students required to take the exam. For students with a BS in Math or Science (Physics, etc.) but without an engineering degree, some bridge coursework in the basic engineering sciences may be necessary prior to full admission into one of the programs. Students with a Bachelor's degree from a Technology program, with a very high GPA, may be permitted to pursue a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering at RIT under the following conditions:

• They will be required to have completed the RIT undergraduate courses below (or equivalent) with an overall grade point average of 3.00 or higher.
• These courses do not carry any graduate credit and are in addition to the credits needed for the MS or ME degree. Equivalent courses at other schools may be substituted. There may be other undergraduate courses that are needed in order to prepare the student for specialization in specific areas.
• A student is expected to complete a substantial portion of the set of courses below before submitting an application for admission to the MS or ME program in ISE.

Students may not sign up for additional coursework if they have an outstanding "I" (incomplete) grade for an earlier course. Extensions for "I" grades beyond the normal two quarters allowed by Institute guidelines must be approved by the program director. Approval is not automatic. The extension will only be granted once, and only for compelling reasons.

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1.2 Graduate Assistantships

Application for Graduate Assistantships can be made by checking the appropriate box on the RIT Graduate School Application indicating interest in an assistantship. Applications received before January 15, will be given priority for assistantships to be awarded for the following academic year. Only full-time MS students will be considered for assistantships. Departmental graduate assistantships may be awarded to new students for the current academic year on a competitive basis that depends on the current graduate student population, the number of applicants, and the strength of the graduate student application. Graduate assistantships awarded to new students are only guaranteed for the designated enrollment date. If a student elects to defer admission, the student must reapply for a graduate assistantship. Graduate assistantships for continuing students will be evaluated on a quarterly basis, these assistantships will be awarded on a competitive basis based on progress toward the degree including courses taken, GPA, progress toward thesis, endorsement of advisor, and performance of current assistantship duties. Departmental support for graduate students is limited to two years from the start of enrollment.

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1.3 Graduation Requirements

The MS degree will be awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 45 credit hours that is equivalent to 9 courses and a 9-credit hour thesis. All MS students are also required to complete at least 3 quarters of graduate seminar (0303-800). The ME degrees will be awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 48 quarter credit hours that is equivalent to 12 courses and the engineering capstone (0303-779).

In accordance with Institute policy, all graduate programs must be completed within seven years after taking the first graduate course(s) that apply to the program. Exceptions to the seven year rule require a petition to the Institute with an explanation as to why the student was unable to complete the program within seven years. Approval is not automatic.

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