Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
https://ime.calpoly.edu/graduate-programs/
The Master of Science in Industrial Engineering program offers a rigorous and flexible graduate education designed to prepare students for impactful careers in advanced industrial engineering practice, applied research, and academic scholarship. The program curriculum empowers students to build technical expertise across core industrial engineering domains, including operations research, data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, information systems, supply chain management, human factors and ergonomics, and quality engineering. The program integrates advanced coursework with hands-on experiences in statistical modeling, dynamic simulation, data-driven analysis, and system optimization to help students apply theory to real-world challenges and develop practical problem-solving skills. With both thesis and project options available, students can tailor their culminating experience to pursue in-depth research or engage in broader applied and technical exploration aligned with their professional goals. The program prepares graduates for successful careers across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, supply chain, aerospace, defense, consulting, and technology, or for pursuing doctoral studies.
Requirements for Admission
Students apply via Cal State Apply and must submit a transcript, personal statement, resume, and three letters of recommendation. GRE is not required.
International Students must meet all the standard eligibility criteria and demonstrate proficiency in English (English Proficiency Exam Requirements)
Prerequisites: Applicants should have completed a four-year college course of study and hold a bachelor’s degree in any engineering or related discipline such as the mathematical, physical, or computer science disciplines, from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association. For students without BS in industrial engineering, a maximum of 8 units of remedial classes can be taken at Cal Poly by conditionally classified graduate students. The expectation is that you will work with the IME Department graduate coordinator to determine which classes you will need to take in order to progress through the graduate classes. Taking undergraduate classes as remedial classes before applying does not guarantee admission.
Minimum GPA: Students must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. Exceptions will be considered if the applicant is in the top 25% of his/her graduating class.
Application due date: Applications are accepted for Fall enrollment only. Please see Graduate Student Dates and Deadlines for application deadlines.
Advancement to Candidacy
Completion of at least 6 units of graduate coursework with cumulative and higher ed GPA of 3.0 or higher and an approved culminating experience proposal.
Culminating Experience
- Thesis Option: The student's thesis topic must be approved by their thesis defense committee, consisting of three committee members from the faculty. Both an oral defense and a written thesis are required. After approval by the thesis committee, it is reviewed by the Graduate Education Office and published in Digital Commons.
- Project Option: The graduate project must be approved by the student's graduate advisor.
A blended program provides a potentially accelerated route to a graduate degree, with simultaneous conferring of both Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Students in the blended program are provided with a transitional process whereby they can progress from undergraduate to graduate status. Students are required to complete all requirements for both BS and MS degrees.
Blended Options
For the Blended MS in Industrial Engineering, acceptable undergraduate degrees are:
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BS Industrial Engineering + MS Industrial Engineering
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BS Manufacturing Engineering + MS Industrial Engineering
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BS Materials Engineering + MS Industrial Engineering
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BS Mechanical Engineering + MS Industrial Engineering
Units Double Counted
The blended programs allow the double counting of up to 6 course units toward the master’s degree requirements. Only specific 4000 & 5000 level course units may be double counted. Double counted units must be approved by the Graduate Programs Coordinator.
Students cannot double count senior project units, as well as units of courses that do not have rigorous assessment methods.
Requirements for Admission for the Blended Program
Students should contact the IME Department Graduate Coordinator or visit the IME website for details on the application.
- Prerequisites: must be a current BS student in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Materials Engineering. Students must have completed all lower division classes and the GWR prior to transitioning to graduate status.
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Timeline for admission: The Blended MS program has admissions fall and spring semesters. Students should apply near the beginning of the semester before their planned undergraduate graduation (e.g., Students scheduled to complete their undergraduate program in Spring would apply early in Fall semester). Please see the MS Industrial Engineering website for specific deadlines and more details.
- Application materials: refer to the MS Industrial Engineering website for more details.
Program Learning Objectives
- Summarize and synthesize state-of-the art knowledge in a selected topic in the field of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.
- Apply scientific methods and analytical tools to conduct industry-based or applied research projects, including problem articulation; hypothesis formulation; data collection, management, and analysis; implementation and dissemination of results.
- Make informed, data-driven engineering decisions that integrate principles of economics, sustainability, and systems thinking.
- Communicate technical information effectively through written and oral formats, tailored to diverse audiences and professional settings.
- Evaluate and apply professional and ethical principles to address the societal, organizational, and environmental implications of industrial engineering decisions.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| IME 5503 | Applied Statistical Methods in Engineering 1 | 3 |
| IME 5507 | Graduate Seminar | 2 |
| IME 5541 | Advanced Operations Research | 3 |
| IME 5545 | Advanced Simulation | 3 |
| IME 5565 | Predictive Data Analytics for Engineers | 3 |
| Culminating Experience | ||
| Select from the following: | 4-6 | |
| Project | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Approved Technical Electives | ||
| Select any 4000-5000 level IME courses | 10-12 | |
| Total Units | 30 | |
- 1
Not open to students with credit in IME 3326 or IME 3327. If not eligible for credit, take an additional 3 units of Approved Technical Electives at the 5000-level.