PhD in Industrial Engineering Overview

The Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at UMass Lowell empowers students to tackle complex systems challenges through advanced research in areas like data analytics, human factors and operations optimization. Working closely with expert faculty, students develop innovative solutions that improve efficiency, safety, health and sustainability across industries. Graduates are equipped to lead transformative change in industry, government, and academia.

Focus your degree with one of the following concentrations:Ěý

  • Analytics and Operations 
  • Ergonomics and Safety
  • Health System Engineering
  • Manufacturing and Automation

For complete program details and course descriptions, please visit the Academic Catalog.

For program-specific questions and to connect with our current students, please contact the Doctoral Graduate Coordinator.

For students entering Fall 2024 and Beyond.
Students must satisfy the following doctoral core requirement:
Core Courses (4 three-credit courses)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
IENG.5010Advanced Deterministic Modeling & Analysis3
IENG.5020Advanced Stochastic Modeling & Analysis3
IENG.5050Industrial Automation3
BMEN.5300Ergonomics and Work3
Concentration
Six (6) courses from the following area of concentration. See below.

Doctoral Dissertation

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
IENG.7530Doctoral Dissertation/Industrial Engineering3
IENG.7560Doctoral Dissertation/Industrial Engineering3
IENG.7590Doctoral Dissertation/Industrial Engineering3


Analytics and Operations Concentration Courses
Course #Course NameCr.
IENG.5040Manufacturing Systems3
IENG.5030Advanced Manufacturing Processes3
IENG.5070Facilities Planning & Material Handling3
IENG.5060Simulation3
IENG.5080Advanced Human-Machine Systems Design3
IENG.5090Directed Study1-3
IENG.7510Advanced Projects in Industrial Engineering3
BMEN.5310Occupational Biomechanics3
MECH.5710Quality Engineering3
MECH.5740Design for Reliability3
MECH.5750Industrial Design of Experiments3
MATH.5910Linear Statistics Modeling and Regression3
MIST.6030Database Management3
MIST.6060Business Intelligence and Data Mining3
MIST.6150Data Engineering for Business Analytics3
MIST.6140Social and Economic Networks3
MIST.6160Advanced Data Mining3
POMS.6120Statistics for Predictive Analytics3
POMS.6220Decision Analytics3
POMS.6240Analytical Decision-Making Tools3
POMS.6210Advanced Statistics for Business Analytics3
POMS.6010Operations Management3
PLAS.5450Lean Manufacturing3


Ergonomics and Safety Concentration Courses
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
IENG.5040Manufacturing Systems3
IENG.5030Advanced Manufacturing Processes3
IENG.5070Facilities Planning & Material Handling3
IENG.5060Simulation3
IENG.5080Advanced Human-Machine Systems Design3
IENG.5090Directed Study1-3
IENG.7510Advanced Projects in Industrial Engineering3
BMEN.5310Occupational Biomechanics
3
BMEN.5320Occupational Biomechanics Lab3
BMEN.5400Occupational Safety Engineering3
BMEN.6380Methods of Work Analysis3
EECE.5560Robotics3
EECE.5510Advanced Robotics and Automation3
ENGY.5340Fundamentals of Nuclear Security and Safeguards3
ENGY.5160Radiation Shielding and Protection3
ENGY.5180Energy Technology, Economics and Policy3
ENGY.5140Chemical & Nuclear Waste3
MECH.5300Autonomous Robotic Systems3
MECH.5790Robotics3
PUBH.5100Fundamentals of Occupational Health3
PUBH.5420Human Factors3
PUBH.5510Work Environment Policy3
PUBH.5750Epidemiology & Biostatistics3
PUBH.6321Advanced Biomechanics3
PUBH.6590Cleaner Production3


Health Systems Engineering Concentration Courses
Course #Course NameCr.
IENG.5040Manufacturing Systems3
IENG.5030Advanced Manufacturing Processes3
IENG.5070Facilities Planning & Material Handling3
IENG.5060Simulation3
IENG.5080Advanced Human-Machine Systems Design3
IENG.5090Directed Study1-3
IENG.7510Advanced Projects in Industrial Engineering3
PUBH.5021Health Policy and Management3
PUBH.5060Quantitative Methods in Health Management3
PUBH.5110Health Care Finance3
PUBH.5120Operations Analysis for Quality Improvement3
BMEN.5310

Occupational Biomechanics

3
PUBH.5140Healthcare Management3


Manufacturing and Automation Courses
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
IENG.5040Manufacturing Systems3
IENG.5030Advanced Manufacturing Processes3
IENG.5070Facilities Planning & Material Handling3
IENG.5060Simulation3
IENG.5080Advanced Human-Machine Systems Design3
IENG.5090Directed Study1-3
IENG.7510Advanced Projects in Industrial Engineering3
BMEN.5310Occupational Biomechanics
3
BMEN.5320Occupational Biomechanics Lab3
BMEN.5400Occupational Safety Engineering3
BMEN.6380Methods of Work Analysis3
EECE.5510Advanced Robotics and Automation3
EECE.5520Microprocessor Systems II3
EECE.5560Robotics3
MECH.5180Signal Processing Tech3
MECH.5300Autonomous Robotic Systems3
MECH.5315Modern Control Systems3
MECH.5540Dynamic Systems and Controls3
MECH.5710Quality Engineering3
MECH.5740Design for Reliability3
MECH.5750Industrial Design of Experiments3
MECH.5790Robotics3
MECH.6690Fracture Mechanics3
PUBH.5100Fundamentals of Occupational Health3
PUBH.5420Human Factors3
PUBH.6590Cleaner Production3

Faculty Research

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty conduct research that impacts the following national needs: Energy and Sustainability, Defense and Security, Manufacturing and Industry and Engineering Education. Explore our faculty-led Research Centers and Research Labs below to learn more.

Funding Opportunities

The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department strives to provide full financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. The first two years are typically funded through a combination of Research Assistantships (RA) and Teaching Assistantships (TA) plus summer research support. Funding for subsequent years is focused on Research Assistantships (RA). 

Admissions Requirements

All applications are submitted through EngineeringCAS.

  1. An application
  2. An application fee
  3. A statement of purpose
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Official test score report  - GRE required for:
    1. Computer Engineering, MSE
    2. Electrical Engineering, MSE
    3. All Ph.D. Programs

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated. If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents log on to your application, click on “Program Materials” to update your application. Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.  

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will not need to apply via the application portal. Visit page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications will only be accepted through EngineeringCAS, an application service for graduate engineering programs. All application documents and test scores need to be submitted through EnginneringCAS.

app-fee 2. Application Fee

The application fee is $75.

3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

4. LOR Letters of Recommendation

Master's applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to provide three (3). Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. They may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. You will be asked via EngineeringCAS to provide (names and email addresses) referees during the application process and that an automated request will be sent out to your recommenders. You will be able to track the status of your recommendations and send reminders by logging back into your application.

5. TransTranscripts

Provide a complete transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor’s degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

You have two options for submitting transcripts:

  1. Self Report your transcript to EngineeringCAS. This will expedite your application review. Self-reported transcripts must correspond to the official transcript. The University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if false credentials are provided at the point of application.
  2. Send official transcripts directly to UMass Lowell, either through a secure submission or via mail to:

    University of Massachusetts - Lowell
    Graduate Admissions - GPS Center
    839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
    Lowell, MA 01854-3941

If you received your degree from UMass Lowell, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

International transcripts must clearly indicate that you have received (or will soon receive) a four-year bachelor's degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Additional information about international transcripts is available on the . *You will need to provide an official copy prior to your first semester on campus. Self-reported transcripts must correspond to the official transcript.* The University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if false credentials are provided at the point of application.

*UMass Lowell will require You to provide a copy of your Official Transcripts & Scores prior to your first semester.

6. OTSROfficial Test Score Report(s)

The following programs require the GRE for admission consideration:

  • Computer Engineering, MSE
  • Electrical Engineering, MSE
  • All Ph.D. Programs

Please have ETS send your GRE scores directly to EngineeringCAS using school code 4530.

A GRE waiver may be available to qualified master’s degree candidates. Further information can be found at GRE/GMAT/MAT Waiver Forms. You may also self-report your GRE scores.*

International Students:

English Proficiency Tests: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores are required. If you have taken the TOEFL, have ETS send your scores to EngineeringCAS (school code: B887). You may also self-report your scores. If you have taken the IELTS you may self-report your scores on the application.*

The requirements for the tests are as follows:

  • TOEFL - 79 or above
  • IELTS  6.5 or above

*UMass Lowell will require you to provide a copy of your Official Transcripts & Scores prior to your first semester.

Get more information about standardized tests.

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978-934-2390 (International Students)

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