Master’s program · Rossin College of Engineering
Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
The MS in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at Lehigh University gives engineering graduates the quantitative skills to improve how industry, business, health care and government organizations make decisions and run their operations.
- Credits30
- Typical length1.5–2 years
- DeliveryOn campus, hybrid or fully online
- Degree awardedMaster of Science
- GRENeither accepted nor reviewed
On this page
Overview
What the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research is
The field rewards people who can pick the right method for the problem in front of them. You will work across simulation, optimization, stochastic models, supply chain management, quality, automation and artificial intelligence, so you leave with a broad toolkit and practice putting it to use. Graduates are expected to keep learning throughout their careers and to make a real contribution to society.
The program suits students whose background, from earlier study or from work experience, lies in industrial engineering, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or a similar discipline.
A 30-credit degree, typically 1.5–2 years of full-time study, delivered on campus, hybrid or fully online.
Research areas
Research that keeps complex systems running
Across all of its research areas, the department’s faculty and students tackle some of the largest and most complex problems in modern operations: making sound decisions when outcomes are uncertain, coordinating supply chains and production, and turning growing volumes of data into action. Master’s students can contribute through coursework, projects and optional thesis research.
Optimization and Uncertainty
Real operations never unfold exactly as planned, and demand, delays and disruptions change the best course of action. Work in this area develops the mathematics for finding the best choice among many options, and for judging how much confidence to place in a plan when conditions are unpredictable or the system is complicated.
Focus topics: Mathematical Optimization, Stochastic Models and Optimization, Uncertainty Quantification and Complex Systems.
Data and Computation
Organizations collect far more data than people can read unaided, and the hardest planning problems strain even powerful computers. Researchers in this area apply learning from data and new computing approaches to find answers faster and to solve problems that were out of reach before.
Focus topics: Data Science and Machine Learning, Quantum Computing Optimization.
Applied Operations Research
Industry, business, health care and government all depend on systems that must be planned, scheduled and improved. Applied operations research takes the models and methods developed elsewhere in the department and puts them to work on practical problems, so that the services people rely on run more reliably and at lower cost.
Focus topics: Applied Operations Research.
Curriculum
What you study
The degree requires 30 graduate credits in three parts: 12 credits chosen from a menu of core courses, 9 further credits of 400-level ISE courses, and 9 credits of free electives that you shape around your goals. The Lehigh University Course Catalog is the official source for these requirements, which can change from year to year, so confirm your plan with your academic advisor.
- Core courses, 12 credits. Choose from courses such as Operations Research Models and Applications (ISE 402), Simulation (ISE 408), Quantitative Models of Supply Chain Management (ISE 412), Optimization Models and Applications (ISE 426), Stochastic Models and Applications (ISE 439), Game Theory (ISE 458), Logistics and Supply Chain Management (ISE 462) and Artificial Intelligence for Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (ISE 466). The menu also includes industrial automation and robotics, facilities planning, product quality, operational excellence, planning and scheduling, leadership development, an ISE project, and special topics courses.
- ISE courses, 9 credits. Take nine more credits of 400-level ISE coursework beyond the core courses.
- Free electives, 9 credits. Take nine credits of 300- and 400-level coursework. Nearly all 300- and 400-level ISE courses count, except ISE 300, ISE 304 and ISE 499. So do selected courses in data science, supply chain analytics and strategic supply management, healthcare operations management, and population health. Other courses can count with the permission of the ISE MS program director.
- Thesis option. Up to six elective credits can go to thesis research (ISE 490), culminating in a written thesis. A thesis is not required, and there is no comprehensive exam.
- Course-level rules. At least 24 of your 30 credits must be at the 300 and 400 level, with 18 of those at the 400 level. At least 18 credits must be in the major field, with 15 of them at the 400 level, and research or thesis registration can count toward the 400-level total. You need a B- or better in at least 18 credits of your program and in all 300-level courses in the major field, and courses graded C- or better count toward the degree. Courses with an ESLP or EAPC subject code, ENGR 441, ENGR 499, ENGR 492 and ENGR 496 do not count.
| Code | Course | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| ISE 402 | Operations Research Models and Applications | Operations research models and applications. |
| ISE 408 | Simulation | Discrete and continuous simulation of systems. |
| ISE 412 | Quantitative Models of Supply Chain Management | Analytical models for supply chain management. |
| ISE 424 | Industrial Automation and Robotics | Introduction to robotics technology and applications. |
| ISE 426 | Optimization Models and Applications | Mathematical programming models and analysis. |
| ISE 427 | Facilities Planning and Material Handling | Facility layout, location and material handling. |
| ISE 432 | Product Quality | Quality monitoring, control and improvement. |
| ISE 434 | Operational Excellence | Operational excellence in organizations. |
| ISE 435 | Planning and Scheduling in Manufacturing and Services | Planning and scheduling for production and services. |
| ISE 439 | Stochastic Models and Applications | Stochastic process modeling and applications. |
| ISE 458 | Game Theory | Game theory and strategic interaction. |
| ISE 462 | Logistics and Supply Chain Management | Logistics and supply chain design and management. |
| ISE 466 | Artificial Intelligence for Industrial Engineering and Operations Research | AI applications in industrial engineering and OR. |
| ISE 482 | Leadership Development | Theories and practice of leadership. |
The Lehigh University Course Catalog is the official source for degree requirements, and requirements can change from year to year. Confirm your own plan against the catalog and with your academic advisor.
Careers
Where graduates work
Industrial and systems engineering alumni apply analytical skills across a wide range of industries.
Most of our alumni work in information technology, finance, life sciences, education and manufacturing, with others in consulting and health care. Typical roles include supply chain analyst, data analyst, data scientist, software engineer, engagement manager and senior manager. Many alumni move into leadership as directors, vice presidents and chief executives, and others teach and research as professors.
Employers where our alumni most often work include:
- Amazon
- Meta
- EY
- Johnson & Johnson
- Deloitte
- JPMorgan Chase
Alumni also work at Axtria, Google, Air Products, KMK Consulting, Citi, Greenwich Biosciences, Intel, SAS and TikTok.
Based on current employers of Lehigh industrial and systems engineering alumni who graduated between 1996 and 2025. Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
Tuition and funding
What it costs, and what help is available
Base tuition for this 30-credit degree is $52,050.
- Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required.
- International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
How to apply
What a complete application needs
- Academic record
A GPA of 2.75 or equivalent. Through prior study or work experience, you should have a background in industrial engineering, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or a similar discipline.
- GRE
GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed.
- English proficiency
International applicants submit a TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge English or Pearson Test of English score that meets the College and University minimums shown in the table below.
- Application fee
$50, non-refundable.
- Deadlines
Decisions are made on a rolling basis, with deadlines of December 15 for a spring start and July 15 for a fall start.
| Test | Overall | Speaking | Writing | Reading | Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 81 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 16 |
| IELTS | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Duolingo | 125 | 125 | 120 | 125 | 110 |
| Cambridge English | 176 | 176 | 169 | 176 | 169 |
| Pearson Test of English | 68 | 53 or above on each band | |||
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the MS in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at Lehigh?
It is a 30-credit master’s degree that gives engineering graduates the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in their field of interest while meeting the needs of industry, business, health care and government. Students gain practice with a wide range of industrial engineering and operations research tools.
How many credits is the MS in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research?
30 credits: 12 credits of core courses, 9 credits of 400-level ISE courses and 9 credits of free electives.
How long does the MS in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research take to complete?
The program typically takes 1.5 to 2 years. Faster completion may be possible through academic planning with your advisor.
Do I have to write a thesis or take a comprehensive exam?
No. Neither is required. If you want research experience, up to six of your elective credits can go to thesis research (ISE 490) that culminates in a written thesis.
What courses can I choose for the core?
You choose 12 credits from a menu that includes Operations Research Models and Applications, Simulation, Quantitative Models of Supply Chain Management, Optimization Models and Applications, Stochastic Models and Applications, Game Theory, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Artificial Intelligence for Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, along with courses in automation, facilities planning, quality, operational excellence, scheduling and leadership.
What other courses count toward the degree?
After the core, you take 9 more credits of 400-level ISE courses and 9 credits of free electives at the 300 and 400 level. Most ISE courses at those levels count, as do selected courses in data science, supply chain and business, healthcare operations, and population health. The ISE MS program director can permit other courses.
What are the admission requirements?
You need a GPA of 2.75 or equivalent and a background in industrial engineering, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or a similar discipline, gained through prior study or work experience.
Is the GRE required for the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research?
GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed for any Rossin College graduate program.
What English proficiency scores do international applicants need?
The program follows the College and University standards. Minimum overall scores are 81 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on the IELTS, 125 on Duolingo, 176 on Cambridge English, and 68 on the Pearson Test of English. Each test also has minimum speaking, writing, reading and listening scores, listed in the application requirements section above.
When are applications due?
Decisions are made on a rolling basis, with deadlines of December 15 for a spring start and July 15 for a fall start.
How is the program delivered?
On campus, hybrid or fully online. Consult the program contact for the current term-by-term format.
What does it cost, and is funding available?
Base tuition is $52,050 for the 30-credit degree. Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required. International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
Which department offers this program?
The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
What do graduates earn?
Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
How do I apply?
Apply through Lehigh’s graduate application. A complete application includes transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, letters of recommendation, English-proficiency scores where applicable, and a $50 application fee. Decisions are made on a rolling basis, with deadlines of December 15 for a spring start and July 15 for a fall start.
What elective courses can I choose from?
Electives are chosen with your advisor. Courses students can choose from include Strategic Supply Management, Supply Chain Analytics, Accelerated Computing for Machine Learning, Introduction to Statistical Modeling, Statistical and Machine Learning, Ethics in Data Science, Healthcare Operations Management, and Population Health Concepts and Methods, among others. The Lehigh course catalog carries the full list.
Contact
Talk to the program
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Harold S. Mohler Laboratory, 200 West Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015-1582
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering »
General inquiries go to engineering@lehigh.edu.