Master of Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering

Program Overview

The Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering (IMSEI) Institute was established in 1984. IMSEI provides multidisciplinary graduate-level education and practical training opportunities in the theory and practice of integrated manufacturing systems engineering at the master’s level. IMSEI focuses on providing a manufacturing presence and a programming environment in the College of Engineering where faculty, graduate students, and industry can engage cooperatively in multidisciplinary graduate education, basic and applied research, and technology transfer in areas of common interest related to modern manufacturing systems technology. The objective of the MIMSE program is to offer students with traditional discipline backgrounds in engineering and the physical sciences an opportunity to broaden their understanding of the multidisciplinary area of manufacturing systems. Core areas of concentration are offered in manufacturing systems, logistics, mechatronics, and biomanufacturing.

The Master of Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering (MIMSE) distance education program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in engineering or the physical sciences. It is a 33-credit-hour degree program that does not require a thesis or on-campus residency. A final oral examination is required.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an engineering or related discipline. The discipline does not have to be engineering but it must have a strong engineering/mathematical curriculum.
• An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
• GRE scores are required but may be waived for online students.
• English Proficiency: TOEFL or IELTS scores (no more than two years old) are required for international applicants unless they have successfully (cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher) completed at least one year of full-time study in a degree program at a regionally accredited four-year US College or university. The Graduate School also accepts Duolingo English Test examination results. A minimum score of 110 is required for full admission to NC State.
• Three letters of recommendation from persons able to comment on the applicant’s qualifications for graduate study.

Find out more about admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

• You need to complete nine lecture courses (27 credits) at the 500 or 700 level. Additionally, you must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and complete six credits of project work (IMS 675). This totals 33 credits.
• You can focus on suggested areas like Advanced Manufacturing, Logistics, Manufacturing, and Mechatronics. However, other concentrations are possible with program approval.
• You must finish all degree requirements within six years. Except during summer sessions, you need to stay enrolled in at least one course each fall and spring semester until you graduate. If needed, you can request a leave of absence for two semesters with a valid reason.
• You must also write a formal technical report about your internship results. Afterward, you will pass a final oral examination where you defend your report to an advisory committee of three faculty members. Finally, submit your completed report to the IMSE office.

Find out more about degree requirements.

Course Registration

It is preferable to seek admission to the MIMSE program as soon as possible to ensure integration into the advising process. However, a person does not have to be admitted to a degree program to enroll in an online credit course. Prior to applying to Graduate School, a qualified individual may enroll in Engineering Online courses as a Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student. The NDS classification is designed for individuals who wish to undertake academic work but who are not currently admitted to a degree program. If the student is admitted to the MIMSE program, a maximum of twelve hours taken as an NDS student or from another institution may apply toward the 33 credit hour requirement. Students register for online courses through Engineering Online. Those who wish to take only a few courses and not pursue a degree do not need to apply for formal program admission to NC State University. However, students who wish to earn the MIMSE degree must formally apply for admission to the Graduate School. When completing the online application, please be sure to select the “Distance Track” version of the degree.

To register for an Engineering Online course, complete the registration form on the Engineering Online website. Students cannot register through the University MyPack Portal system for Engineering Online courses.

Course Offerings

A list of distance education courses available for each semester can be found on the Engineering Online website. Full-time employed individuals may only enroll in two online courses per semester. It is highly recommended that new students enroll in only one course during their first semester.

For a list of distance education courses approved for the fall, spring or summer semester, visit the Engineering Online website.

Course Logistics

Online courses are the same as on-campus courses in terms of content, requirements and academic rigor. On-campus class lectures are captured, digitized and placed on the Internet for distance students to access at any time and from any location. Students must, however, follow the on-campus class schedule in terms of submitting homework and taking exams. Course assignments, lecture notes, and handouts are made available to distance students on the course website. All in-class exams must be proctored.

Contact Information

• For more information about the MIMSE program available online, contact:
  Dr. Michael Kay
  Director of IMSEI and Associate Professor
  Telephone: 919.515.2008
  Email: kay@ncsu.edu
  Department website: https://www.imsei.ncsu.edu
• For more information about the registration process, course offerings and course logistics, contact:
  Dr. Linda Krute
  Director of Distance Education Programs
  College of Engineering
  Telephone: 919.515.5440
  Email: linda_krute@ncsu.edu
  Engineering Online website: https://www.engineeringonline.ncsu.edu