The Industrial Engineering PhD program prepares students for extensive research and careers in academia, industry and government while providing a broad knowledge of industrial engineering.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering is intended for a student with a bachelor's or master's degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related discipline.
The PhD program is designed to produce highly skilled researchers with both broad knowledge of industrial engineering and in-depth knowledge of specialty fields for careers in academia, industry, and government. The program allows a candidate to thoroughly study some aspect of industrial engineering through faculty expertise in research areas such as management systems, systems simulation and modeling, operations research, quality systems engineering, interactive simulation and training systems, systems engineering, and human systems engineering, human-computer interaction, and ergonomics.
The Industrial Engineering program is structured to support the emergence of Central Florida as a national center of high technology as well as supporting the diverse service industries in the region and throughout the nation.
In the Industrial Engineering PhD program, students may be able to individually craft their programs of study and select their courses to focus in one or more of the following research areas for their dissertations:
Human Systems Engineering/Ergonomics:
As technology has become more sophisticated, the need to design for the human user has become more difficult, yet even more important. Human engineering and ergonomics assist in ensuring that as technology advances, the abilities, limitations, and needs of humans are considered in the system design. This not only supports the needs of the user, it also optimizes the efficiency and usability of the system designed. Traditionally, ergonomics has been associated with biomechanical issues and work measurement and performance issues in physical system design, as well as occupational and industrial safety. The broader focus of human engineering encompasses those issues as well as incorporating the reaction and effectiveness of human interaction with systems, both physical systems and virtual systems such as computer-based models.
Research in the Human Systems Engineering and Ergonomics area provides students with the necessary knowledge in human engineering and ergonomics to effectively design tasks, industrial systems, and work environments that maximize human performance, safety, and overall productivity.
Interactive Simulation and Training Systems:
The Interactive Simulation and Training Systems research within the Industrial Engineering MS program focuses on providing a fundamental understanding of significant topics relative to simulation systems and the requirements, design, development, and use of such systems for knowledge transfer in the technical environment. Courses in this area address the evolving and multiple discipline application of interactive simulation by providing a wealth of electives to support development of individual student interests and talents. In conjunction with UCF's Institute for Simulation and Training, industrial organizations involved in simulation in the Central Florida region, military organizations, and other governmental organizations, ISTS research in the MS program provides exposure to both military and commercial interactive simulation and training systems.
The emphasis is on the application and development of interactive simulation and training systems to meet various requirements including, but not limited to: simulators, skill trainers, organizational learning systems, computer and web-based interactive simulation systems and other novel interactive simulation efforts. Courses in the interactive simulation and training systems area prepare individuals with an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, education, psychology, mathematics or other related disciplines for careers in simulation, focusing particularly on the interactive simulation and training systems industries.
Management Systems/Engineering management:
The Management Systems/Engineering Management research focuses on providing the knowledge for improving organizational systems. Engineering Management focuses on effective decision-making and successful project delivery in engineering and technological organizations. With technological advancements comes a new level of organizational complexity. As a result new knowledge is needed to help the technical organization understand how to improve. The Management Systems/Engineering Management studies and research in the Industrial Engineering program are intended for individuals of all engineering disciplines. Research and coursework focus on a systems view of engineering problems related to the management of complex industrial, military, government, and social systems.
Operations Research:
The Operations Research courses in the Industrial Engineering MS program uses mathematics and computer-based systems to model operational processes and decisions in order to develop and evaluate alternatives that will lead to gains in efficiency and effectiveness. Drawing on probability, statistics, simulation, optimization, and stochastic processes, Operations Research provides many of the analytic tools used by industrial engineers as well as by other analysts to improve processes, decision-making, and management by individuals and organizations. Research in this area is ideal for students who have an undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, or science. The knowledge in these courses build on an undergraduate Engineering, Mathematics, or Science degree to develop a strong modeling and analytical capability to improve processes and decision-making.
Quality Systems Engineering:
The Quality Systems Engineering research in the Industrial Engineering MS program focuses on providing the knowledge for improving product and process quality in manufacturing and service industries. Quality Systems Engineering provides both the quantitative tools for measuring quality and the managerial focus and organizational insight required to implement effective continuous improvement programs and incorporate the voice of the customer. The Quality Systems Engineering courses builds on an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering or a closely related discipline to provide the necessary knowledge to plan, control, and improve the product assurance function in government, military, service, or manufacturing organizations.
Simulation Modeling and Analysis:
The Simulation Modeling and Analysis research and studies in the Industrial Engineering MS program focus on providing a fundamental understanding of the functional and technical design requirements for simulation in manufacturing and service industries. Research in this area is based on a systems modeling paradigm and provides coding and development capability in the context of a broader systems framework. Significant exposure to design and analysis aspects is a core element of the track. The Simulation Modeling and Analysis research and coursework prepare individuals with an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a closely related discipline for careers in simulation, focusing particularly on using simulation as an analysis and design tool for the manufacturing and service industries.
Systems Engineering:
Intelligence is being infused into everyday systems, processes and infrastructure that enable physical goods to be developed, manufactured, bought and sold. These same systems also facilitate the movement and delivery of global products and services that support worldwide markets such as finance, energy resources, and healthcare systems.
With these technological advancements, comes a new level of complexity as organizations struggle to integrate systems, processes and data feeds. As a result, the demand for systems engineering and related skills is expected to grow significantly.
Systems engineers design and implement computer systems, software, and networks, including defining complex system requirements, and determining system specifications, processes and working parameters.
The Systems Engineering studies and research in the Industrial Engineering MS program are intended for individuals of all engineering disciplines. Research and coursework focus on a systems view of engineering problems related to the management of complex industrial, military, government, and social systems.
The Industrial Engineering PhD program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. If a student holds a master's degree, the student must complete at least 27 credit hours of required coursework, in addition to 15 credit hours of dissertation.
Of the total coursework taken, 27 hours must be formal course work exclusive of independent study and 15 credit hours must consist of dissertation research (EIN 7980). All remaining hours are determined with a faculty adviser and approved by the department. Details about this program are located in the Industrial Engineering PhD Handbook.
Total Credit Hours Required: 72 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
This program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-CECS-Industrial-Engineering-PhD.pdf.