BS/MS and BS/ME in Industrial Engineering

4. BS/MS and BS/ME IE Program Requirements and Administration

4.1 BS/MSIE Admission / Curriculum / Graduation Requirements

4.1.1 MS Advisory Committee
4.1.2 BS/MSIE Plan of Study

4.2 BS/ME Admission / Curriculum / Graduation Requirements

4.2.1 ME Advisor
4.2.2 BS/ME Program Description and Plan of Study

4.2.2.1 BS/ME in Industrial Engineering (IE) Plan of Study (Official RIT Code - EIEA)
4.2.2.2 BSIE/ME in Engineering Management (EM) Plan of Study (Official RIT Code - EIEC)
4.2.2.3 BSIE/ME in Systems Engineering (SE) Plan of Study (Official RIT Code - EIED)

4. BS/MS and BS/ME IE Program Requirements and Administration

These combined degree offerings are only available for students who are currently matriculated in the undergraduate ISE program. Over and above the fact that students are able to complete their Bachelor and Master degrees in an accelerated manner, these dual programs offer a unique opportunity for outstanding undergraduate students to pursue. The combination of these programs provides a synergy that allows students to apply their learning between programs. For example, these programs will allow students to work through the thesis or capstone project process, that includes experiences that undergraduate students are not typically well-versed in, while completing undergraduate coursework (e.g., problem definition of ill-defined problems). Students can then apply these experiences towards some of their higher-level undergraduate courses (e.g., engineering design, project design), that require some of the same skills, and obtain a better understanding and appreciation for these undergraduate courses.

At least eighteen quarters of full-time study would be required in the combined degree program, including at least 14 quarters of academic study, plus the co-op requirement. In the combined program, students typically begin their co-op requirement in the summer of their 2nd year, as opposed to their 3rd year, and they only complete four co-op blocks, as opposed to five blocks. However, during the four co-op blocks they would still need to complete a minimum of 48 weeks of co-op experience.

During the first two years, the BS curriculum is followed. The quarter-by-quarter sequence of required courses for the various graduate programs (i.e., BS/MS or BS/ME) are shown below. Although the program can be completed in 5 years, students typically take one or 2 additional quarters to complete the program requirements (e.g., thesis).

Time Limits for Completion of BS/MS and BS/ME Degree Requirements

Students admitted to the BS/MS or BS/ME dual degree programs are required to complete all requirements for both degrees by the end of the spring quarter of Year 6.

If it is anticipated that the dual degree requirements will not be met by the end of the spring quarter of Year 6, the student has the following options:

• The student can be certified with the BS degree.
• The student can be certified with the BS degree and apply for formal admission to the MS or ME programs. (Acceptance is not guaranteed and if accepted additional coursework will be required.)
• The student can apply for a one-quarter extension (Summer of Year 6) in which the student should submit to the Graduate Program Coordinator the following items prior by the end of the winter quarter in Year 6:

1. Student letter requesting extension of the BS/MS or BS/ME degree completion that states the reasons for not completing degree for certification in the spring of Year 6.
2. Students signed thesis proposal
3. Student's progress report on the thesis work completed including a current draft of their thesis
4. Timetable for completion of the thesis deliverables

The Graduate Program Coordinator and the ISE Department Head will meet with the student's advisor and/or committee and will decide whether an extension will be granted. There will be no consideration for extensions beyond summer of Year 6 except for circumstances that are CLEARLY beyond the student's control, such as a medical emergency or hospitalization, and when it is clear that a BRIEF (not to exceed one quarter) extension will allow the student to complete both degrees.

[ Back to top ]

4.1 BS/MSIE Admission / Curriculum / Graduation Requirements - (Official RIT Code - EIEB)

Students should formally apply to this combined program during their 3rd year, although students should attempt to co-op in the summer after their 2nd year if they have an interest in the program. Decisions with regard to admission to the BS/MS program with be based on the following: a minimum 3.4/4.0 cumulative GPA, 3 letters of recommendation from faculty, and an interview with the ISE Department Head. There will be no exceptions for late admittance after the fall quarter of the 4th year. A 3.0/4.0 cumulative GPA must be maintained throughout the program.

[ Back to top ]

4.1.1 MS Advisory Committee

The formation of the MS advisory committee is critical to the timely completion of the MS degree. Once admitted to the program, the ISE Department Head will serve as the initial advisor for the BS/MS degree. No later than end of the Winter quarter of the 4th year, the student must form an advisory committee as follows. (Note that 1 thesis credit hour can be taken during the Winter quarter to allow a student dedicated time to identify a thesis topic and arrange the advisory committee.)

Step 1. The student should initiate the formation of their committee by selecting a primary thesis advisor from among the ISE Faculty based upon the student's interests and the agreement of the new advisor. In the event that the thesis topic is interdisciplinary, the student may select a second primary advisor from among RIT faculty within or outside of the ISE Department. These two individuals would then serve as co-advisors to the student.

Step 2. The student should then, in conjunction with their advisor, form a thesis committee. Generally, the committee should be comprised of at least three individuals including the advisor. At least two ISE faculty members should serve on the thesis committee. The remainder of the committee may consist of RIT faculty or faculty or industrial personnel from outside RIT. The ISE faculty will approve the committee membership. Once the committee is formed, the student should submit written notification, signed by all committee members, to the ISE department.

Note: In the unlikely event that the need arises for a student to change the composition of their committee, the student should submit written justification signed by all previous committee members to the ISE Department and previous committee members. The student should follow Steps 1 and 2 to re-form their committee.

[ Back to top ]

4.1.2 BS/MSIE Plan of Study

Prior to taking any courses that the student plans to count toward the MS degree and no later than the end of the Winter quarter of the 4th year, the student's Plan of Study must be mapped out with and approved by the student's MS advisory committee using the appropriate plan of study form in Appendix A. An approved plan of study must be submitted to the Graduate Program Coordinator to be placed in the department file.

The BS/MS program counts 16 credit hours towards both the BS and MS programs (i.e., 'double-count') and requires 225 credit hours. Thus, for the BS/MS degree the student must:

• Perform at least 4 co-op blocks totaling a minimum of 48 weeks
• Complete all required coursework for BS degree
• Complete the following coursework for MS degree:
• 4 approved Professional Electives (PEs - done as part of BS degree, credit counted towards both degrees, courses must be 700-level or above)
• 5 graduate courses
• A minimum of six courses in Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Complete 3 quarters of graduate seminar (0303-800)
• Complete 9-credit hour thesis (0303-890). See Section 7 about Thesis requirements.

BS and MS degrees in industrial engineering will be awarded upon successful completion of the approved undergraduate program consisting of 196 credit hours and graduate program consisting of a minimum of 45 quarter credit hours including a 9-credit hour thesis. As indicated above, 16 credit hours are counted towards both the BS and MS programs (i.e., 'double-counted').

Due to the breadth of the BSIE program at RIT, the course breadth requirements for the traditional MSIE degree do not apply to the BS/ME IE degree.

[ Back to top ]

4.2 BS/ME Admission / Curriculum / Graduation Requirements

Students should apply to this combined program during their 3rd year. Decisions with regard to admission to the BS/MS program with be based on the following: a minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative GPA and an interview with the ISE Department Head. There will be no exceptions for late admittance after the fall quarter of the 4th year. A 3.0/4.0 cumulative GPA must be maintained throughout the program. There is a strict 6-year limit for the full completion of the BS/ME program which begins the first quarter that the student is enrolled at RIT.

4.2.1 BS/ME Advisor

The student's undergraduate advisor for the BS degree will serve as the advisor for the dual BS/ME degree. Any changes to the advisor must be requested through the ISE Department.

[ Back to top ]

4.2.2 BS/ME Program Descriptions and Plan of Study

Prior to taking any courses that the student plans to count toward the ME degree and no later than the end of the Winter quarter of the 4th year, the student's Plan of Study must be mapped out with and approved by the student's advisor using the appropriate plan of study form in Appendix A. An approved plan of study must be submitted to the Graduate Program Coordinator to be placed in the department file.

4.2.2.1 BS/ME in Industrial Engineering (IE) Plan of Study (Official RIT Code - EIEA)

The BS/ME program counts 16 credit hours towards both the BS and ME programs (i.e., 'double-count') and requires 228 credit hours. Thus, for the BS/ME IE degree the student must:

• Perform at least 4 co-op blocks totaling a minimum of 48 weeks
• Complete all required coursework for BS degree
• Complete the following coursework for ME degree:
• 4 approved Professional Electives (PEs - done as part of BS degree, credit counted towards both degrees, courses must be 700-level or above)
• 7 graduate courses
• Complete capstone and final four credit hours of degree by either:
• Serve as a project leader for a multidisciplinary senior design team for two quarters with a grade requirement of B or better in both Multidisciplinary Senior Design I and II, and
  - Register for 0303-778 Leadership Capstone (0 credit),
  - Take one additional graduate level course (700-level or above),
  - Students are encouraged to take Design Project Management (0303-735) for preparation as a project leader
  
  or
• Successfully complete the four credit-hour capstone course (0303-779)
• At least 7 courses out of the total of 12 courses must be ISE courses (0303)

BS and ME degrees in industrial engineering will be awarded upon successful completion of the approved undergraduate program consisting of 196 credit hours and graduate program consisting of a minimum of 48 quarter credit hours including a engineering capstone. As indicated above, 16 credit hours would be counted towards both the BS and ME programs (i.e., 'double-counted').

Due to the breadth of the BSIE program at RIT, the course breadth requirements for the traditional MEIE degree do not apply to the BS/ME IE degree.

[ Back to top ]

4.2.2.2 BSIE/ME in Engineering Management (EM) Plan of Study (Official RIT Code - EIEC)

The BSIE/ME in Engineering Management uses a blend of IE courses and courses from the College of Business to focus on the management of the engineering and technological enterprise. It combines technological expertise with managerial skills. Each student develops a program of study, in conjunction with their advisor, that contains up to four courses from the College of Business to complement the engineering course work. A sample plan of study for the BSIE/ME in Engineering Management is shown below.

The BSIE/ME in Engineering Management counts 16 credit hours towards both the BS and ME programs (i.e., 'double-count') and requires 228 credit hours. For the BSIE/MEEM degree, the student must:

• Perform at least 4 co-op blocks totaling a minimum of 48 weeks (students typically start co-op in the summer after their 2nd year)
• Complete all required coursework for BS degree
• Complete the following coursework for ME degree:
• 4 approved Professional Electives (PEs - done as part of BS degree, credit counted towards both degrees, courses must be 700-level or above)
• 7 graduate courses
• Complete capstone and final four credit hours of degree by either:
• Serve as a project leader for a multidisciplinary senior design team for two quarters with a grade requirement of B or better in both Multidisciplinary Senior Design I and II, and
  - Register for 0303-778 Leadership Capstone (0 credit),
  - Take one additional graduate level course (700-level or above);
  - Students are encouraged to take Design Project Management (0303-735) for preparation as a project leader
  
  or
• Successfully complete the four credit-hour capstone course (0303-779)
• At least 7 courses out of the total of 12 courses must be ISE courses (0303)
• Up to 4 of the total of 12 courses can be from the College of Business.

The BSIE/MEEM dual degree would be awarded upon successful completion of the approved undergraduate program consisting of 196 credit hours and the approved graduate program consisting of a minimum of 48 quarter credit hours including a 4-credit hour capstone. As indicated above, 16 credit hours would be counted towards both the BS and ME programs (i.e., 'double-counted').

[ Back to top ]

4.2.2.3 BSIE/ME in Systems Engineering (SE) Plan of Study (Official RIT Code - EIED)

As defined by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), "Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems. It focuses on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle, documenting requirements, and then proceeding with design synthesis and system validation while considering the complete problem: Operations, Performance, Test, Manufacturing, Cost & Schedule, Training & Support, and Disposal. Systems Engineering integrates all the disciplines and specialty groups into a team effort forming a structured development process that proceeds from concept to production to operation. Systems Engineering considers both the business and the technical needs of all customers with the goal of providing a quality product that meets the user needs."

The BSIE/ME in Systems Engineering counts 16 credit hours towards both the BS and ME programs (i.e., 'double-count') and require 228 credit hours. For the BSIE/MESE degree, the student must:

• Perform at least 4 co-op blocks totaling a minimum of 48 weeks (students typically start co-op in the summer after their 2nd year)
• Complete all existing coursework for BS degree, substituting some graduate-level coursework for associated undergraduate coursework (i.e.,0303-701, 0303-710, 0303-716, 0303-729).
• 4 approved Professional Electives (PEs - done as part of BS degree, courses must be 700-level or above)
• Complete the following coursework for ME degree:
• 5 additional required systems engineering courses (i.e., 0303-760, 765, 758, 784, and either 750 or 757)
• 2 approved systems engineering-related electives
• Complete capstone and final four credit hours of degree by either:
• Serve as a project leader for a multidisciplinary senior design team for two quarters with a grade requirement of B or better in both Multidisciplinary Senior Design I and II, and
  - Register for 0303-778 Leadership Capstone (0 credit),
  - Take one additional graduate level course (700-level or above);
  - Students are encouraged to take Design Project Management (0303-735) for preparation as a project leader
  
  or
• Successfully complete the four credit-hour capstone course (0303-779)

The BSIE/MESE dual degree would be awarded upon successful completion of the approved undergraduate program consisting of 196 credit hours and the approved graduate program consisting of a minimum of 48 quarter credit hours including a 4-credit hour capstone. As indicated above, 16 credit hours would be counted towards both the BS and ME programs (i.e., 'double-counted').

[ Back to top ]