Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing

Advanced, Smart, and Digital Manufacturing

The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering offers the Master of Science in Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing to meet the growing demand for engineers, researchers, and scientists trained in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies.

The advent of the Industrial Internet of Things, additive manufacturing (3D printing) of parts and electronics, advanced materials with unique properties, and efficient manufacturing processing methods is transforming manufacturing operations to what is referred to as advanced manufacturing. Advanced manufacturing focuses on developing innovative technologies to create existing and new products by leveraging novel emerging materials, advanced processes, information, automation, computation, sensing, artificial intelligence, and digitalization.

Through a curriculum focused on advanced, smart, and digital manufacturing, the MS in Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing prepares students to be researchers for development of advanced manufacturing technologies and leaders for managing advanced manufacturing enterprises.

The program is open to students with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or equivalent field. This degree program offers students an opportunity to either train for industry jobs with coursework and co-op experience or prepare for a doctoral program through coursework and research experience.

Innovative Curriculum

Three key curriculum components of the MS in Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing program are advanced, smart, and digital. These are among the top 10 most promising advanced technologies transforming the global manufacturing industry, according to the U.S. ranking of the Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index (2016). Within these areas, students learn cutting-edge technologies, including courses on the Internet of Things, intelligent manufacturing, data analytics engineering, robotics, materials engineering, nano and microscale manufacturing, and additive manufacturing.

Advanced manufacturing includes conventional manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and nanomanufacturing. Conventional manufacturing covers metal removal, forming, casting, and particulate processes. Additive manufacturing covers topics such as 3D printing of parts using different approaches. Nanomanufacturing includes conventional fabrication as well as printing of micro and nano devices and design and creation of multifunctional materials using automation and scalable processes.

Smart manufacturing focuses on factory automation, process monitoring and control, diagnostics, prognostics and maintenance, cloud-enabled manufacturing, and Industrial Internet of Things for manufacturing performance assurance.

Digital manufacturing leverages real-time data analytics and control systems, advanced high-fidelity models, networked data, and computation for seamless interoperation of cyber and physical assets in manufacturing facilities.

In smart and digital manufacturing, all entities, including people, parts, products, equipment, systems, suppliers, and logistics and transportation systems are connected to achieve enterprise-level efficiency.

Interdisciplinary Program

An interdisciplinary program with a focus in mechanical and industrial engineering, courses build upon the principles and knowledge in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, computer science, robotics and controls engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and business administration.

Flexible Options

Students can complete the master's degree by pursuing one of the three tracks: coursework option, project option, and thesis option.

More Details

The Master of Science in Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing is designed to meet the growing demand for engineers, researchers, and scientists trained in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies. The Industrial Internet of Things, additive manufacturing (3D printing) of parts and electronics, advanced materials with unique properties, and efficient manufacturing processes transforms manufacturing operations into advanced manufacturing.

• Innovative curriculum focused on advanced, smart, and digital manufacturing prepares students to be researchers for the development of advanced manufacturing technologies and leaders for managing advanced manufacturing enterprises. Advanced, smart, and digital are among the top 10 most promising technologies transforming the global manufacturing industry, according to the U.S. ranking of the Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index (2016).
• Learn cutting-edge technologies, including courses on the Internet of Things, intelligent manufacturing, data analytics engineering, robotics, materials engineering, nano and microscale manufacturing, and additive manufacturing.
• Pursue robust research opportunities through Northeastern’s research centers and institutes, including the George J. Kostas Nanoscale Technology and Manufacturing Research Center, the National Science Foundation Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing, and the Advanced Nanomanufacturing Cluster for Smart Sensors and Materials.
• Either train for industry jobs with coursework and co-op experience or prepare for a doctoral program through coursework and research experience. Northeastern is ranked No. 1 in internships/co-ops, and is an R1 research institution. Northeastern has partnerships with national research labs that are involved in advanced manufacturing research, and has industry collaborations with GE, IBM, Raytheon, Dell EMC, Flex, Northrop Grumman, and Analog Devices.
• Interdisciplinary program is focused in mechanical and industrial engineering and builds upon the principles and knowledge in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, computer science, robotics and controls engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and business administration.
• Complete the master's degree by pursuing one of the three tracks: coursework option, project option, and thesis option.

• Completed online application form
• $75 application fee
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• GRE is not required for terms starting during the 2021-2022 or the 2022-2023 academic years
• Statement of purpose
• Resumé
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for international applicants

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

• Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
  • C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • IELTS Academic
  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

Graduates of the MS in Advanced and Intelligent Manufacturing program can become engineers at high-tech companies or managers at government agencies, or pursue PhD degrees in advanced manufacturing at U.S. universities. Career opportunities are available in key sectors such as aerospace, automotive, computers, manufacturing, chemical processes, electronics, materials, controls, instruments, and power and energy systems.

The fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, is transforming manufacturing operations to advanced manufacturing by extending digital technology with interconnectedness using the Internet of Things, access to real-time data, and cyber-physical systems. Globally, nine out of 10 companies are investing in digital factories*, and various U.S. federal agencies have collectively created the National Network for Manufacturing and Innovation Institutes (NNMII), referred to as Manufacturing USA, to invest in innovative advanced manufacturing technologies. Northeastern is a member of five NNMIIs. At the same time, according to Talent Board, there is a severe shortage of people trained in advanced manufacturing, with 50% to 75% of people applying to positions unqualified, and there is a greater than 30% shortage of engineers, researchers, and scientists.

• 1.Create your application

  Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.

• 2.Submit all required materials

  Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.

• 3.Check your application status

  Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.