Doctoral program · Rossin College
PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering
The PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Lehigh University’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science takes about four to six years, requires 48 credits with a master’s degree or 72 with a bachelor’s, and guarantees financial support to admitted students for the entire duration of the program.
- Degree awardedDoctor of Philosophy in Industrial and Systems Engineering
- DepartmentIndustrial and Systems Engineering
- Typical time to degree4–6 years (typical)
- Credit hours48 minimum
- Fall deadlineDecember 15
- GRENot required
- Application fee$50 USD
Overview
What the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering is
The Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) PhD program is comprehensive in scope for students interested in pursuing research at the cutting edge of the discipline.
The program emphasizes a vibrant perspective on the next generation of data science, providing students with the knowledge base and research skills that are necessary to mine and analyze high-volume data using state-of-the-art optimization and stochastic modeling techniques.
The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering maintains the authoritative program detail — see the department page.
Research
Research directions
Doctoral research in the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering spans 6 areas published by the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
- Mathematical optimization
- Stochastic models and optimization
- Data science and machine learning
- Applied operations research
- Quantum computing optimization
- Uncertainty quantification and complex systems
Research groups and programs
Lehigh ISE FACET Program
Future Academic Career Experiential Training.
Degree requirements
What the doctorate requires
Minimum 48 credits entering with a master’s; at least 72 credits entering with a bachelor’s. Lehigh publishes the following complete set of requirements.
- Credit hours
A minimum of 48 credit hours if entering with a master’s degree; at least 72 credit hours if entering with a bachelor’s degree.
- Coursework
A set of core and elective (non-core) PhD-level courses.
- Advisor
Acquire an advisor from among the program faculty members.
- Qualifying examination
Pass a Qualifying Examination conducted by a committee of program faculty members.
- Reviews
Pass a Performance Review conducted by the program faculty and a Program Review conducted by the ISE Director of Graduate Studies. Annual progress reports are submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies.
- Doctoral committee
Form a doctoral committee satisfying the Rossin College requirements.
- Dissertation proposal
Pass a Dissertation Proposal Defense conducted by the doctoral committee, then receive Admission to Candidacy for the Doctorate from the college and complete paperwork indicating passage of the General Examination.
- Dissertation and defense
Pass a Dissertation Defense conducted by the doctoral committee. A dissertation is required for the PhD program.
Curriculum
Core and required courses
| Code | Course | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| ISE 401 | Convex Analysis | Convex analysis for optimization and duality. |
| ISE 402 | Operations Research Models and Applications | Applied operations research models. |
| ISE 406 | Fundamentals of Optimization | Linear, discrete, and convex optimization. |
| ISE 407 | Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing | Numerical analysis and scientific computing. |
| ISE 411 | Networks and Graphs | Theory, modeling, and computation for networks. |
| ISE 414 | Uncertainty Quantification | Principles and methods for managing uncertainty. |
| ISE 417 | Continuous Optimization | Nonlinear optimization theory and methods. |
| ISE 418 | Discrete Optimization | Theory and algorithms of discrete optimization. |
| ISE 422 | Quantum Computing Optimization | Quantum computing applied to optimization. |
| ISE 426 | Optimization Models and Applications | Operations research via mathematical programming. |
| ISE 429 | Probability and Stochastic Processes | Probability and stochastic processes for models. |
| ISE 444 | Optimization Methods in Machine Learning | Optimization behind machine learning models. |
| ISE 456 | Conic Optimization | Modeling, theory, and algorithms for conic problems. |
Funding
Financial support
Admitted students are guaranteed financial support for the entire duration of the program (subject to successful performance).
- PhD applications submitted by December 15 are considered for financial aid.
- Financial aid for Lehigh’s graduate programs consists mainly of fixed-rate federal student loans through the Office of Financial Aid.
- Loan eligibility requires enrollment at least half-time — six credits during the academic year, three credits in summer.
- Emergency loans and grants are available through the Graduate Life Office.
Admissions
How to apply
Applications for admission — all semesters, all levels — are completed online. Applications open September 1; PhD applications for fall admission are due December 15 for financial aid consideration.
What to submit
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts (with English translation for international applicants)
- Statement of purpose / essay
- Letters of recommendation (typically three)
- Résumé or CV
- Application fee of $50 USD
Industrial and Systems Engineering requirements
- Deadline: The annual deadline for applications is December 15.
The GRE is not required or considered for any Rossin College graduate program.
English proficiency minimums
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | Overall 81 (old scale) / 4 (new scale); Speaking 22/4, Writing 20/4, Reading 20/4, Listening 16/4 |
| IELTS | Overall 6.5; Speaking 6.5, Writing 6, Reading 6.5, Listening 6 |
| Duolingo English Test | Overall 125; Speaking 125, Writing 120, Reading 125, Listening 110 |
| Cambridge | Overall 176; Speaking 176, Writing 169, Reading 176, Listening 169 |
| Pearson (PTE) | Overall 68, with 53 or higher on each band |
Scores expire two years from the test date. MyBestScore and One Skill Retake formats are not accepted. Waivers are available for applicants who are citizens or permanent residents of an English-speaking country, earned a U.S. degree with two or more years of in-person study, earned a degree taught in English in an English-speaking country, or studied or worked full-time in an English-speaking country for two or more years within the last five.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Which department at Lehigh offers the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering?
The PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering is offered by Lehigh University’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, within the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Full program detail, faculty and current requirements are maintained on the department’s own page: https://engineering.lehigh.edu/ise/academics/phd
How long does the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering take?
4–6 years (typical).
How many credits does the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering require?
Minimum 48 credits entering with a master’s; at least 72 credits entering with a bachelor’s.
Do I need a master’s degree to apply to the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering?
No. Students enter the program with either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree, and the credit requirement differs accordingly: minimum 48 credits entering with a master’s; at least 72 credits entering with a bachelor’s.
Is the GRE required for the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering?
No. The GRE is not required or considered for any P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate program. Scores may be submitted but may not be reviewed.
What is the application deadline for the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering?
The annual deadline for applications is December 15. At the college level, PhD applications for fall admission are due December 15 for financial aid consideration, and applications open September 1.
How much is the application fee?
The application fee is $50 USD. Applications for admission at all levels are completed online through Lehigh’s graduate application portal.
Is funding available for PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering students?
Admitted students are guaranteed financial support for the entire duration of the program (subject to successful performance).
What research areas can I work in as a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering student?
Research directions published by the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering: Mathematical optimization; Stochastic models and optimization; Data science and machine learning; Applied operations research; Quantum computing optimization; Uncertainty quantification and complex systems.
What is the qualifying examination for the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering?
Pass a Qualifying Examination conducted by a committee of program faculty members.
What English proficiency scores are required?
International applicants must meet Lehigh’s minimum scores: TOEFL iBT overall 81 (old scale) or 4 (new scale); IELTS overall 6.5; Duolingo English Test overall 125; Cambridge overall 176; or Pearson (PTE) overall 68. Scores expire two years from the test date. Waivers are available in defined circumstances.
Where is the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering based?
The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering is located in Harold S. Mohler Laboratory, 200 West Packer Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015-1582, on Lehigh University’s campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Who do I contact about the PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering?
Joyce Gabay, jlg222@lehigh.edu is the graduate contact for the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. The department can be reached at ise@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-4050. General Rossin College graduate enquiries go to engineering@lehigh.edu.
Contact
Talk to the department
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Graduate contact
Joyce Gabay · jlg222@lehigh.edu
Address
Harold S. Mohler Laboratory
200 West Packer Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18015-1582
Phone and email
(610) 758-4050
ise@lehigh.edu
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
19 Memorial Drive West
Bethlehem, PA 18015
engineering@lehigh.edu
More from the department
- Industrial and Systems Engineering PhD program
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
- ISE PhD Program Quick Guide (PDF)
- ISE PhD Program Rules and Procedures (PDF)
- ISE research directions
- Meet an ISE graduate student
- Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) Course Listing
- Rossin College Graduate Student Handbook