Manufacturing Engineering

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Program Director: Michael Greenstein

In recent years, much has been written about how to improve the productivity, profitability and competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers, which have introduced many new approaches. The first wave of these centered on improving competitiveness by improving quality and reducing inventory and cycle time by focusing on design, introducing product-realization processes, and applying specific new methods such as Total Quality Management, Just-in- Time/Total Quality Control, new productioncontrol systems, lean manufacturing and activity-based costing.

Polytechnic’s program emphasizes these methods and supports them through courses in robust design and the design of experiment techniques. As for production, Polytechnic offers courses in computer integrated manufacturing and modern methods of production control such as Goldratt’s synchronous manufacturing. Success in applying these new methods depends upon winning acceptance for their use. Thus the program addresses specifically how to overcome cultural barriers through courses in managing the human side of technological change and developing high-performance teams. Currently U.S. industry is focusing attention on reducing variability in production, thereby improving asset use and, hence, profitability and customer satisfaction. Polytechnic offers new courses in production science that specifically address these issues.

The department’s comprehensive program in manufacturing engineering concerns this array of new methods, which are applicable generally and thus portable.

This program is interdisciplinary and suitable for full-time students, working professionals with responsibilities in manufacturing, and for those who plan to enter manufacturing after completing the master’s program. Because hands-on experience is so important, the program often arranges for full-time students and part-time students who do not work full time to do internships with companies and apply their course work. Fulltime students can complete the MS program, including an internship, in one year.

Goals and Objectives

The objectives of the MS program in Manufacturing Engineering include helping its students to:

• Develop expertise in methods used in a wide variety of industries to increase profitability and competitiveness by improving quality, cycle time, design and production in factories and supply chains;
• Develop expertise in computer-based programs used throughout industry to analyze problems and improve performance, including simulation, linear programming, project management, facility planning, and production planning and control;
• Cultivate a broad knowledge base by selecting a concentration of courses in manufacturing engineering and related fields that suit career needs; and
• Obtain hands-on experience through internships in local industry.

Certificate Programs

The certificate programs are for professionals with work experience. A certificate program requires five courses, which are selected based on individual needs. Applicants for a certificate program must hold a bachelor’s degree. Upon completing the sequence with a B average or better, the student receives a certificate. Students who are later admitted to study for a master’s degree usually are able to apply all certificate course credits toward the master’s degree. If students have taken the equivalent of any required courses as an undergraduate, they must work with their adviser to select substitute courses. Additional information is available from the department. The certificate programs are listed below.

Programs

• Manufacturing Engineering, M.S.

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