Industrial Engineering (Graduate Program)

For information regarding the UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM, click here.  

Program Overview

Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering that is concerned with the development, improvement, implementation and evaluation of integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information, equipment, energy, materials, analysis and synthesis, as well as the mathematical, physical and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems or processes. It encompasses specialized knowledge and skills in the physical, social, engineering, and management sciences, such as human and cognitive sciences, computer systems and information technologies, manufacturing processes, operations research, production, and automation. The industrial engineer integrates people into the design and development of systems, thus requiring an understanding of the physical, physiological, psychological, and other characteristics that govern and affect the performance of individuals and groups in working environments.

Industrial engineering (IE) at LSU is a unique academic program in Louisiana, bringing together in one program, opportunities for students in ergonomics and occupational health, information technology, and production/manufacturing systems, and to develop skills in traditional industrial engineering activities. The program relies on rigorous mathematical and logical approaches to theoretical and practical problem solving, with extensive use of computers and industrial-class software for optimization of integrated processes and systems. The graduate programs in industrial engineering develop skills to tackle immediate challenges across multiple industries and provide a basis for graduates to advance professionally. While building wide knowledge of industrial engineering, students can focus on several areas including Ergonomics and Human Factors, Healthcare, Supply Chain Systems, and Information Technology Engineering. Graduates have the ability to identify, design, and execute industrial engineering projects and research, and they pursue careers in academia, research, industry, and government. Industrial Engineering faculty members’ expertise are in human factors and ergonomics, supply chain, operations research, process improvement and information technology. The program has a formal program leading to the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and PhD in Industrial Engineering. Students may also pursue master’s and doctoral programs in engineering science, with specialization in industrial engineering.

Administration

Admission to Industrial Engineering

Students wishing to pursue studies leading to a graduate degree must first apply to the Graduate School. The LSU General Catalog provides specific information regarding the requirements and conditions of admission. In general, the student who wishes to enroll for graduate study must have earned a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university. Although there are no restrictions regarding the major area of study pursued in the baccalaureate program, graduates of curricula outside the program area will be required to satisfy prerequisite requirements in the program area. This prerequisite work will not carry graduate credit, but is intended to satisfy deficiencies. The number of courses required will depend on the student’s background and preparation; such requisite courses may have pre-requisites that need to be fulfilled prior to enrolling in those courses. To that end, the MSIE Program does not have pre-requisites in terms of admission to the program.

All applicants for admission to the IE and Engineering Science Graduate Programs are required to present satisfactory scores on the aptitude portion (quantitative + verbal sections) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) before admission can be granted. The Graduate School can provide further information on the GRE. Generally, only those students who have at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average overall and 3.00 on the last 60 hours in their undergraduate courses and satisfactory GRE scores will be admitted. However, cases may be considered on an individual basis considering grades in the junior and senior years and GRE scores. In rare cases, applicants may be granted probationary admission, and they must then satisfy the Graduate School and departmental requirements for satisfactory progress or be dropped from the program. See section on “Satisfactory Progress” for more details. Non-degree seeking students may be admitted as “Non-matriculated” students if they qualify for admission to courses.

English Requirements

All applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed their degree requirements at an accredited U.S. college or university are required to submit their scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Graduate School has minimum requirements for TOEFL scores depending on which version of the TOEFL test is taken. International students whose native language is not English must have a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper based test, a 213 on the computer-based test, or a 79 on the Internet-based test, an IELTS score of 6.5; or PTE score of 59.

Additionally, international students must take the LSU Comprehensive English Language Test after arrival on campus and before registration. If the test results indicate a deficiency in English, the student will be required to register for appropriate English language courses. International graduate assistants (teaching, service, or research) must complete ENGL 1051 during their first semester unless a waiver is granted as a result of interview with the English Department. Repeated registration of such courses may be required until the student can demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English.

As deciding on admissions and assistantships as well as taking care of visa formalities take considerable time, potential students are advised to apply as early as possible, usually six to nine months in advance of the semester in which they wish to enroll. 

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available to some students. Support may be available through the department in the form of research or teaching assistantships. To ensure consideration for financial aid, all application materials should be submitted in accordance with deadlines established by the LSU Graduate School. Research assistants take active part in research activities and projects as directed by relevant faculty members advising the assistants. Research assistantships are negotiated and eventually offered through direct discussions between the student and faculty members.

Some departmental/programmatic assistantships are available for qualified students and are awarded each semester, based on programmatic needs and student qualifications. Except in unusual cases, no master’s candidate will be awarded a departmental/programmatic assistantship for more than four semesters. A doctoral candidate may be awarded a departmental/programmatic assistantship for up to six semesters. Faculty who have funded research projects provide additional assistantships for participating graduate students. Faculty members also recommend students for fellowships and stipends when these become available.

Facilities

The Industrial Engineering (IE) Computer Laboratory, used for computer lab instruction and open use by IE students, is equipped with 48 computers. Software includes Microsoft Office Professional, Visio, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, AutoCAD, Simio (factory simulation), Lingo (optimization), SAS, Minitab, MATLAB, Maple, Visual Studio.NET (C++, C#, VB, ASP), Java, and many other applications supporting IE coursework. The lab is supported by a bank of twelve servers providing support of coursework in development of information systems, Web application systems, eCommerce systems, and client/server support for project management and simulation courses.

The Human Factors Laboratory offers and supports training and research in safety engineering, human factors, and ergonomics by providing laboratory space and computing equipment. Two laboratories supporting human factors and safety, the Work Evaluation Laboratory and a Human Factors Laboratory, provide students with the appropriate tools and environment for research in the areas of biomechanics, work environment design, cognitive ergonomics, and control systems. Some of the available research equipment includes a treadmill, 2-D and 3-D Motion Analysis System (Ariel performance analysis system), force platform, 8 Channel Wireless EMG System, Dual Axis Goniometers, GPM Anthropometer, Computerized Exercise Machine, C-Motion - Motion Analysis Software, Human CAD Software, 3D Static Strength Prediction Program, Deltatrac metabolic monitor), human musculoskeletal models, vibration meter, and the like. The Safety Laboratory allows hands-on demonstrations of industry safety equipment in addition to simulation software for modeling petrochemical control room operations.

The Systems Integration Laboratory is used for research and instruction in the integration, automation, and control of process and discrete-part manufacturing systems with particular emphasis on the application of information technologies to these systems. The Systems Integration Lab has twelve workstations. Equipment includes three Allen Bradley PLC with modules for digital and analog I/O and thermocouple measurement; AC and DC motor controllers; a four-axis motion controller; servo and stepper motors and other actuators; high speed data acquisition and control boards; a remote national instruments data acquisition fieldpoint unit, digital and analog sensors and instrumentation, a visual inspection system, and networking equipment for use in laboratory instruction. Software available includes WonderWare and Lookout SCADA software, Labview Development Suite (virtual instrument development), Visual Studio.NET, Java, SAS, Lingo, ARENA, and Rockwell Software RSLogix Ladder Logic programming, AutoCAD, Matlab, and numerous other application and development packages.

Graduate Faculty

(check current faculty listings by department here)

Fereydoun Aghazadeh (M) • Human Factors Engineering, Construction Ergonomics, Work Physiology, Occupational Biomechanics, Safety Engineering
Craig M. Harvey (M) • Human Factors Engineering, Safety Engineering, Human Computer Interaction, Usability Engineering
Laura Ikuma (M) • Ergonomics/Human Factors, Safety, Work Measurement and Design, Healthcare, Psychosocial Factors
Hyun Jeon (6A) • Manufacturing and Service Systems, Applied Probability, Queuing Theory, Simulation Production Scheduling, and Energy and Power Models.
Gerald Knapp (M) • NLP, text & data analytics, Information Systems and Technology, Systems Integration, Maintenance Management, Reliability Engineering
T. Warren Liao (M) • Soft Computing, Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Distribution, Lean Six Sigma, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Data Mining.
Isabelina Nahmens (M) • Quality Engineering and Management, Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management, Healthcare Systems Engineering, and Offsite Homebuilding
Bhaba Sarker (M) • Production and Manufacturing Systems Engineering: Production Planning & Control, Flexible/Cellular Manufacturing Systems, Material Handling, Scheduling, Location Theory, JIT Inventory Systems, Warehouse Logistics and Distribution, Lean Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Military Logistics, Renewable Energy Systems, and Applied Operations Research.

Programs

• Healthcare Analytics Graduate Certificate
• Healthcare Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate

• Industrial Engineering, M.S.I.E.

• Industrial Engineering, Ph.D.