Product Development MS
Product Development: Online
Master of science degree
Program Highlights
The master of science in product development is a leadership program designed for engineers, scientists, technical managers, and other experienced professionals who aspire to advance their careers in product innovation. The program integrates business and engineering courses consistent with cross-functional, end-to-end product development, as well as the systems perspective critical to conceive, create, launch, and support today’s complex product portfolios.
The degree program was designed by academic and industry leaders and integrates formal education with state-of-the-art research and industry best practices. Electives and a capstone project provide flexibility to tailor the program's content to specific learning objectives of students and sponsoring organizations.
Curriculum packed with high-demand skills
Competitive
New product development skills carry a salary premium and competitive advantage in the employment market.
Project Management
Demand for project management skills is growing 8%.
Leadership
Engineering leadership skills are growing 26%.
Budgeting
Budgeting is the 2nd most often requested skill in this field.
Curriculum
ISEE-781
Excellence in New Product Development
Credits 3
Success in today's competitive global economy depends substantially on a firm's ability to define, develop, and introduce outstanding new products more efficiently and effectively than its competitors. This course introduces students to best practices and attributes of world-class product development leaders and organizations. Critical success factors and inhibitors to the commercialization of complex products and systems are discussed, along with state-of-the-art methodologies, processes, and tools. Emphasis is placed on the role of the product development manager in leading product strategy, high performing product development teams, and transformational initiatives essential to competitiveness.
ISEE-771
Engineering of Systems I
Credits 3
The engineering of a system is focused on the identification of value and the value chain, requirements management and engineering, understanding the limitations of current systems, the development of the overall concept, and continually improving the robustness of the defined solution. EOS I & II is a 2-semester course sequence focused on the creation of systems that generate value for both the customer and the enterprise. Through systematic analysis and synthesis methods, novel solutions to problems are proposed and selected. This first course in the sequence focuses on the definition of the system requirements by systematic analysis of the existing problems, issues and solutions, to create an improved vision for a new system. Based on this new vision, new high-level solutions will be identified and selected for (hypothetical) further development. The focus is to learn systems engineering through a focus on an actual artifact
ISEE-772
Engineering of Systems II
Credits 3
The engineering of a system is focused on the identification of value and the value chain, requirements management and engineering, understanding the limitations of current systems, the development of the overall concept, and continually improving the robustness of the defined solution. EOS I & II is a 2-semester course sequence focused on the creation of systems that create value for both the customer and the enterprise. Through systematic analysis and synthesis methods, novel solutions to problems are proposed and selected. This second course in the sequence revisits the first sequence and views the engineering of a system through a lean perspective, as such the emphasis is on the system development process itself.
ISEE-751
Decision and Risk Benefit Analysis
Credits 3
This course addresses decision making in the face of risk and uncertainty. Various methodologies will be introduced that are useful in describing and making decisions about risks, with particular emphasis on those associated with the design of products. Students will be exposed to issues related to balancing risks and benefits in situations involving human safety, product liability, environmental impact, and financial uncertainty. Presentations will be made of risk assessment studies, public decision processes, and methods for describing and making decisions about the societal risks associated with engineering projects. Topics include probabilistic risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, reliability and hazard analysis, decision analysis, portfolio analysis, and project risk management.
ACCT-603
Accounting for Decision Makers
Credits 3
A graduate-level introduction to the use of accounting information by decision makers. The focus of the course is on two subject areas: (1) financial reporting concepts/issues and the use of general-purpose financial statements by internal and external decision makers and (2) the development and use of special-purpose financial information intended to assist managers in planning and controlling an organization's activities. Generally accepted accounting principles and issues related to International Financial Reporting Standards are considered while studying the first subject area and ethical issues impacting accounting are considered throughout.
MKTG-761
Marketing Concepts and Commercialization
Credits 3
An introduction to contemporary principles and practices of marketing. The course is structured around the process of marketing planning leading to the development of successful marketing strategies, including the commercialization of products and services in domestic and international environments. Focus is on environmental scanning techniques, setting and evaluating measurable objectives, innovating and controlling the interrelated components of product/service offering, planning and executing the marketing mix (channels of distribution, price, and promotion), and enhancing customer relationships through the delivery of customer value.
DECS-743
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Credits 3
Study of the management of operations and supply chain management. Encompasses both manufacturing and services. Topics include operations and supply chain strategy, ethical behavior, forecasting; work systems, inventory management, capacity and materials planning, lean operation, supply chain design and closed-loop supply chains, global operations, quality management, quality control, and quality improvement, project management; and current issues.
ISEE-798
Product Development Capstone
Credits 3
For the MS in Product Development (MPD) program. Students in the program must demonstrate intellectual leadership in the field of new product development. The general intent of the Capstone is to demonstrate knowledge of the integrative aspects of new product development in the context of a company-oriented problem solving project. The project should address issues of significance to multiple functions or disciplines and should draw upon skills and knowledge acquired from various courses and experiences in the program Team-based projects are encouraged. Projects must be approved in advance of registration.
Choose one of the following:
ISEE-750
Systems and Project Management
Credits 3
This course ensures progress toward objectives, proper deployment and conservation of human and financial resources, and achievement of cost and schedule targets. The focus of the course is on the utilization of a diverse set of project management methods and tools. Topics include strategic project management, project and organization learning, chartering, adaptive project management methodologies, structuring of performance measures and metrics, technical teams and project management, risk management, and process control. Course delivery consists of lectures, speakers, case studies, and experience sharing, and reinforces collaborative project-based learning and continuous improvement.
Elective
Elective
Credits 3
Admission Requirements
- Complete the graduate application.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) in engineering (or a related scientific or technical field)
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher preferred
- Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work
- Submit one professional recommendation
- Submit a current resume
- Have at least two years of experience in product development or a related business environment
- A test of English Language aptitude is required of all applicants and course registrants whose native language is not English. Applicants are exempt from submitting exams if they have worked or studied in the U.S. for the last two years or they are from countries and attended universities whose native language is English.
- Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- No graduate entrance exam is required, although candidates are welcome to support their application with results from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
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