At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    PhD

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: 

  • 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.

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty are actively engaged and lead several University Centers which encourage interdisciplinary research collaborations on projects that advance technology innovations.
  • Stock image related to 3D Printing
    Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Center
    A collaboration between the UMass Lowell, University of Connecticut, and Georgia Institute of Technology to create a National Science Foundation I/UCRC focused on 3D printing.
  • baseball-testing
    Baseball Research Center
    The Center is concentrating on dynamic baseball bat performance and durability using high-speed air cannons, modal techniques, finite element modeling, high-speed photography and a wide variety of other tools.
  • fields-of-wind-turbines
    Center for Wind Energy
    The center consists of 13 interdisciplinary faculty members whose research focuses on wind turbine manufacturing, reliability, energy storage, and design.
  • heroes
    HEROES
    A unique collaborative research and development center between UMass Lowell and the U.S. Army Natick MA Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC).
  • nano-woman
    Nanomanufacturing Center
    We leverage a strong plastics heritage along with industrial scale equipment to develop advanced nanomanufacturing processes, in a safe, reproducible and controlled environment.
  • Human walking on equipment at NERVE Center
    UMass Lowell NERVE Center
    The UMass Lowell NERVE Center is an interdisciplinary robotics testing, research, and training facility that evaluates robotic capabilities, human performance, and human-robot interaction.
  • Sunset Wind Turbines
    WindSTAR
    National Science Foundation supported industry-university collaboration driving down the cost of wind power.

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty remain dedicated to conducting research that impacts national needs. Our 11 faculty-run research labs provide students with the opportunity to work with state of the art equipment to advance energy and sustainability, security and defense, and manufacturing and industry, while furthering their engineering education.
  • 3D Printer. The ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND TEXTILE RESEARCH LAB is involved in the active integration of analytical modeling, experimentation, and numerical simulation to understand the behavior of fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix composites.
    Advanced Composite Materials and Textile Research Lab

    We are involved in the active integration of analytical modeling, experimentation, and numerical simulation to understand the behavior of fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix composites.
  • 4-D Textiles, printed grids on standard textile. The APPLIED SOLID MECHANICS LAB is Applying solid mechanics principles to various applications such as wind energy, composite manufacturing, flexible electronics, and textile manufacturing to improve performance, predictions, and design.
    Applied Solid Mechanics Lab

    Applying solid mechanics principles to various applications such as wind energy, composite manufacturing, flexible electronics, and textile manufacturing to improve performance, predictions, and design.
  • Low, Ambient, and High Temperature Hopkinson Bars for Polymer Testing
    Dynamic Mechanics of Materials Lab

    We study the mechanics and physics of materials, including polymers, composites, metals, and metamaterials under varied dynamic loadings and extreme environments.
  • Asst. Profs. Hsi-Wu Wong and Hunter Mack examine the reactor used in creating biofuels in the lab.
    Energy & Combustion Research Lab

    We are exploring a variety of topics ranging from alternative fuels, novel thermodynamic cycles, and combustion-assisted material synthesis.
  • An Energy Conversion Experiment. The ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY LAB primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
    Electrochemical Energy Lab

    Our primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
  • Asst. Prof. Ertan Agar conducts an electrochemical energy transport experiment. The ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY LAB's primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
    Electrochemical Energy Systems and Transport Lab

    We have an overarching goal to advance the science and engineering of flow assisted electrochemical energy systems, particularly redox flow batteries.
  • An image of a blue green background with blue circles over it.
    iComp2 Lab
    We develop ICME approaches for the analysis and optimization of advanced composites from manufacturing to failure.
  • Manufacturing Innovation and Neural Interface (MINI) Lab
    Manufacturing Innovation and Neural Interface (MINI) Lab
    The MINI Lab conducts experimental and modelling work to generate fundamental understandings of manufacturing processes.
  • Student conducts experiment in Re-Engineered Energy Lab. The RE-ENGINEERED ENERGY LAB is researching how to use solar energy and electricity to develop new types of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
    Re-Engineered Energy Lab

    We're researching how to use solar energy and electricity to develop new types of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
  • Student inspects test wind turbine blade in the research lab. The STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS & ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS LAB's research is related to analytical and experimental problems in the areas of structural and acoustic systems. The main thrust of the SDASL is to develop, employ and improve techniques to solve these problems using analytical approaches that are verified through experimental techniques.
    Structural Dynamics & Acoustic Systems Lab

    The main thrust of the SDASL is to develop, employ and improve techniques to solve these problems using analytical approaches that are verified through experimental techniques.

Funding Opportunities

UMass Lowell strives to provide financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. This includes funding through Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA) and summer research support. Assistantships are contingent upon availability and may be subject to change.

Admissions

  • Application:
  • Application Fee: $75
  • Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (max 2 pages)
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's, three (3) for doctoral applicants.
  • Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but if accepted, official transcripts are required.
  • Test Scores: Please send test scores to EngineeringCAS using school code 4530. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all Doctor of Philosophy programs and for the Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. It is accepted but not required for other master's applicants.

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed. To add documents before review, log in and select “Program Materials.”

International Applicants

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country’s national language, please submit one of the following scores:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
  • Duolingo: 115+
  • ASC English: Level 6+
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53+

For the TOEFL, please send your scores to EngineeringCAS using the school code B887.

Take the Next Step

Start your online application today!

Request More Information

Take a Virtual Tour of UMass Lowell

Launch virtual tour

Explore UMass Lowell from anywhere in the world. See the spaces where our students study, create, learn and live through a self-guided, interactive tour.

Find Graduate Resources

Questions? Contact Us!

Phone:
800-656-4723 (U.S. Students)
978-934-2390 (International Students)

Email: 
Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu