Last Updated: 02/26/2026 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date

The Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in six semesters after you earn your MS degree. However, if you follow the direct path from BSIE to Ph.D., you may complete the program in eight semesters. Therefore, you should carefully plan your coursework and research timeline.

Qualifying Exam

The program includes several major examination and dissertation requirements. First, you must complete the Qualifying Exam.

The written Qualifying Examination QE evaluates whether you have the skills and integrated knowledge to complete the Ph.D. successfully. In addition, the exam assesses your potential for advanced research. Recently, the ISE faculty revised the exam to use a more focused area based structure. As a result, the number of exam areas has been reduced. For example, the Supply Chain and Logistics and Systems Analytics and Optimization areas have merged into SCL SAO.

You will complete the following requirements for the QE:

• You will take one exam in Advanced Manufacturing, Human Factors and Ergonomics or SCL/SAO. Therefore, choose the area that best matches your research interests.
• Each area determines its own exam format.

Timing of the Qualifying Exam

You should plan to take the Qualifying Exam QE within your first year in the Ph.D. program. Therefore, begin preparing early in your coursework. Each year, the Director of Graduate Programs DGP appoints a coordinator for each subject exam. Typically, this coordinator taught the background course during the previous year.

The coordinator updates the exam review materials and compiles the exam. In addition, the coordinator may ask other faculty to review the exam as needed. As a result, a faculty member is available to answer questions during the exam and coordinate grading.

Exam Administration and Grading

Before the QE, you will receive an identification number to use instead of your name. This process ensures blind grading. For take home exams, the DGP sends your submitted files to the coordinator. Therefore, you must remove any identifying information from file titles and contents.

Coordinators evaluate each question and may consult other faculty as needed. Then, they assign grades for each subject exam. The DGP oversees scheduling, locations and communication of results.

The DGP and exam coordinators form the examination committee. After reviewing subject grades, the committee determines your overall result, which may be High Pass, Pass or Fail. If your performance is marginal, the committee may assign a Conditional Pass. In that case, they will define required conditions and a verification process.

Retake Policy

You have two opportunities to pass the QE. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may retake the entire exam the following year. However, if you do not pass on your second attempt, you will be terminated from the ISE Ph.D. program.

Advanced Manufacturing Area Exam

ISE PRO TIP: The Advanced Manufacturing Area Exam follows a revised format guide. However, minor details may change from year to year. For example, the number of days allowed for take-home portions may vary. Therefore, you should confirm the current format with the area faculty before the exam.

In general, the exam evaluates your depth of knowledge in Advanced Manufacturing. In addition, it assesses your ability to apply concepts to research problems. Because expectations may be updated, review all guidance carefully. By clarifying requirements early, you can prepare effectively and approach the exam with confidence.

Courses

You must take at least one approved course in three of the four sub-areas. Therefore, plan your coursework early with your advisor. The four sub-areas include Additive Manufacturing, Bio-manufacturing, Automation and Micro/Nano Manufacturing.

• For Additive Manufacturing, you may take ISE 517 Fundamentals of Additive Manufacturing or MAE ISE 789 Metal Additive Manufacturing.
• For Bio-manufacturing, you may take ISE 589 Intro to Biomedical Design and Manufacturing or ISE 589 Intro to Manufacturing of Sustainable Food Proteins.
• For Automation, you may take ISE 716 Automated Systems Engineering.
• For Micro/Nano Manufacturing, you may take ISE 718 Micro/Nano Scale Fabrication and Manufacturing.

Exam Format

The exam includes a five day take home portion and a 45 minute oral exam. During the oral exam, you will give a 12 minute overview presentation followed by questions.

You will answer research oriented questions related to automation, additive, biomedical and micro/nano manufacturing. However, you must answer three of the four questions.

These questions will test your ability to:

• conduct a literature review of a state of the art product, process, system or method.
• Develop a clear hypothesis and testing plan.
• Analyze an advanced manufacturing problem and propose a systematic solution using appropriate tools.
• Describe expected outcomes and explain their implications.

Human Factors and Ergonomics Area Exam

Courses

The Human Factors and Ergonomics HFE Area Exam covers four required topics and courses. Therefore, you should complete the following coursework before taking the exam.

• ISE 540 Human Factors in Systems Design
• ISE 544 Occupational Biomechanics
• ISE 7XX Advanced Topics in Human Systems which you select
• One appropriate course in Statistical Experimental Design, which you should confirm with HSE faculty

Exam Format

The exam includes a five-day take-home portion and an oral exam. At the beginning of exam week, each HSE faculty member provides one essay question. Then, you will have five days to prepare and submit your written responses.

Each faculty member evaluates the quality of your response to their question. After you submit your essays, you will complete an oral presentation within one week. During this presentation, faculty members may ask follow up questions about your work.

SCL/SAO Area Exam

Supporting Courses

The SCL SAO Area Exam is based on five supporting courses. Therefore, you should review the content from each course carefully.

You are responsible for material covered in both of the following courses:

• ISE 505 Linear Programming
• ISE 760 Applied Stochastic Models in Industrial Engineering

In addition, you must choose one of the following courses for examination:

• ISE 537 Statistical Models for Systems Analytics in Industrial Engineering
• ISE 723 Production Planning, Scheduling and Inventory Control
• ISE 754 Logistics Engineering

Exam Format

The exam format depends on the content area and the responsible faculty. Typically, instructors from the most recent course offering determine the format. As a result, the exam may be a four-hour classroom exam or a take-home exam. Each exam is offered on a separate day. Therefore, confirm the format and schedule with faculty in advance.

Preliminary Exam

The primary purpose of the Preliminary Oral Exam is to evaluate your dissertation proposal. In addition, the committee determines whether your research objectives are reasonable and achievable.

At its discretion, the committee may also question you on material from the QE or your minor area. This is especially likely if your earlier written performance was marginal. In that case, the committee may schedule a separate session for additional questions.

During the exam, the committee evaluates several key issues. For example, they consider whether your literature review identifies a clear gap in the technology. They also assess whether your proposed problem and research objectives address that gap. In addition, they examine whether the problem is structured for a workable solution.

Furthermore, the committee considers whether your proposed approach can solve the problem. They evaluate whether your background prepares you to complete the work. They also determine whether the scope is reasonable or should be narrowed. Finally, they decide whether the research merits recommendation for the doctoral degree.

You should take the Preliminary Oral Exam within twelve months of passing the QE.

Ph.D. Dissertation

Your dissertation must be an original work that contributes to the industrial engineering literature. Therefore, you should aim to produce research that advances knowledge in your field. In addition, publication of your work is expected and strongly encouraged.

Before you schedule your Preliminary Oral Exam, you must prepare a dissertation proposal for your committee. This proposal should clearly describe the problem you plan to study. It must also include a literature review, research objectives, a proposed solution approach and a detailed research plan. By organizing these elements carefully, you can present a focused and achievable project.

The Final Oral Defense evaluates the methodology you used and the conclusions you reached. During this exam, your committee will assess whether your results align with those reported in your dissertation. Therefore, ensure your written document and oral presentation are consistent and well supported.

ISE PRO TIP: ISE 899 Doctoral Dissertation Preparation does not count toward your degree requirements. You should take this course only after you complete all other requirements to maintain continuous registration.