Industrial Engineering (Twente Graduate School)

IE is concerned with the design and improvement of operational and strategic processes and integrated systems. These processes or systems provide products or services to customers or to the society at large. The design and improvement of processes and systems considers multiple goals concerning time, money, materials, energy and other resources. Several organizations and multiple stakeholders often are involved (supply chains, alliances, public-private partnerships) and governance structures can be part of design and improvement initiatives.

IE is used in a variety of fields, such as manufacturing, logistics, product development, construction, information and telecommunication, finance, energy, transportation and healthcare. The term “industrial” can be misleading; this does not mean just manufacturing. It encompasses service industries as well. It has long been known that industrial engineers have the technical training to make improvements in a manufacturing setting. Now it is becoming increasingly recognized that these same techniques can be used to evaluate and improve productivity and quality in a wide variety of service industries, as well as in the public sector.

IE is a field of engineering and one important element of its approach to the design and improvement of processes and systems is the use of quantitative methods. These are derived from fields such as operations research, management science, mathematics, economics, statistics, information systems, and engineering.

IE draws upon specialized knowledge and (analytical) skills in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences, together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design. Unlike traditional disciplines in engineering, IE addresses the role of human decision-makers and other stakeholders as key contributors to the inherent complexity of systems.

IEs are problem solvers. They work on real-world problems, combine disciplines, and develop project and process-management expertise and communication skills. IEs can have various undergraduate backgrounds in engineering and other quantitative fields. Key skills and qualities that they will need to possess are:

IE is also known as operations management, operations research, production engineering, or manufacturing engineering; a distinction that seems to depend on the viewpoint or motives of the user. In healthcare, for example, IEs are more commonly known as management engineers, engineering management, or even health systems engineers.

Programme mentor

Prof. dr. R.J. Boucherie

Programme overview

The programme consists of a division of 60 EC between core courses, equalization courses and elective courses, together with a master’s thesis project and (international) research orientation.

Core courses

Core courses which give a general overview of the research are (Mathematical Finance 5 EC and Supply Chain and Transportation Management 5 EC) and courses of a more fundamental nature (Stochastic Processes 6 EC and Discrete Optimization 6 EC).

Equalization courses

10 EC on equalization courses. These courses are offered to enable students from a variety of bachelor’s programmes to successfully complete each track.

Electives

Elective courses can be selected from a pool of common courses. Within the IE Graduate Programme courses from the programs Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering and Management, Civil Engineering and Management and Industrial Design Engineering may be selected.

International research orientation (15 or 20 EC)

International research orientation via internship or study period at international renowned institute.

Master’s thesis project (at least 30 EC)

At least 30 EC Master’s thesis project. This may be increased to 45 EC depending on the selection of core, equalization and elective courses. Research paper based on master’s thesis.