Engineering Management (PSM)

Summary

The program is designed to prepare students with the scientific and technical training necessary to advance and excel in industry, while simultaneously developing highly valued business skills. The program is characterized by the "manufacturing-plus" curricula, combining rigorous graduate study in manufacturing with coursework in management, communication, and other professional skills that are in high demand. The program focuses on written and verbal communication skills, leadership, and team-building required in professional settings. Instead of a thesis, a collaborative research project is required. The program is recognized by the Commission on Affiliation of Professional Science Master's Programs (PSM Commission). 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Professional Science Master's

Major Credits

32

Total Credits

32

Locations

Mankato

Edina

Career Cluster

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

Program Requirements

Common Core

Technical communication course designed specifically for STEM industry professionals or students in PSM programs; emphasis on development of technical communication skills and expertise needed for business- and industry-specific documents and presentations for internal or external audiences.

Prerequisites: none

A study of the optimal relationship between value and function of products and the cost and availability of resources. Topics include valuation, appraisal and capital budgeting, cost minimization, depreciation and economics worth, rates and rate bases, original and reproduction costs, and engineering economics.

Prerequisites: none

Basics of Lean Manufacturing in industry, with emphasis on application of concepts. Students will learn the principles of Lean Manufacturing and how they can benefit a business.

Prerequisites: none

Advanced Project Management presents in-depth topics in the management process of prioritizing, planning, staffing, managing, and directing projects. Both people skills and advanced management tools will be addressed, along with advanced project evaluation techniques.

Prerequisites: none

Basics of Six Sigma from an industrial perspective. Emphasis is on practical application of concepts. Upon completion of course, the student will be familiar on a working level with Six Sigma tools leading to Green Belt certification level.

Prerequisites: none

Research/Methods Course(s)

This course emphasizes the following topics: Factorial designs, robust parameter design, Taguchi methods in Technology and product development, and other design and analysis topics.

Prerequisites: none

Restricted Electives

MBA Electives - Choose 6 Credit(s).

This course provides an understanding of the role of statistics related to the gathering and creation of information used in business decision making. Data analysis concepts covered include hypotheses testing, ANOVA, multiple regression, time series analysis, and chi-square tests.

Prerequisites: none

The course develops and integrates principles and ideas from economic and business and applies them to managerial decision making and policy formulation within a firm.

Prerequisites: none

The course will cover a range of topics, including the strategic management of human resources, job analysis, hiring, performance appraisal, training and development, compensation, as well as labor relations.

Prerequisites: none

The MBA MIS course integrates contemporary technology concepts with an emphasis on the managerial aspects of information systems. A review of contemporary technology examines data management, analysis, modeling, and design, and data communications, and networking in the most recent generation of technology. Project and change management, and information systems policy and strategy emphasize the managerial aspects of information systems. Project and change management examines how systems and technologies are implemented. It includes consideration of project planning, scheduling, and budgeting, as well as consideration of the change management required to implement projects, MIS policy, and strategy examines the IS project portfolio from the view of the senior IS executive and from the view of the business executive. It shows students how policy and strategy considerations affect every aspects of IS and, conversely, how IT transforms organizations, and indeed, the very nature of business.

Prerequisites: none

This course will focus on an area of study that attempts to explain, predict, control, and increase understanding of human work behavior in organizations both in the U.S. and internationally. Using a variety of techniques, students will learn about the nature of people as well as how individual and group behavior is influenced by organizational factors. The intent is to use various theories and principles to help diagnose and solve organizational problems. The goal is to more effectively manage in today's environment so employees are engaging in ethical, creative, and productive behaviors on the job. Learning tools include some lecture/discussion active learning groups, original readings, exercises, projects, cases, library research and presentations.

Prerequisites: none

This course addresses the concepts, techniques, and technology necessary to manage and control operations in services and manufacturing. The emphasis is on operations strategy, project management, quality management, and supply chain management.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to provide students with the theory and practical applications to diagnose organizational problems and to develop appropriate interventions and solutions to those problems. Students also use theory to guide practice in designing and implementing successful organizational change. These activities require students to use research and data analysis skills to gather data to learn about organizations.

Prerequisites: none

Unrestricted Electives

Manufacturing Electives - Choose 6 Credit(s).

Planning and control of plant resources in globally competitive manufacturing environments. Approaches to manufacturing problems related to design integration, production scheduling, staffing, plant layout, material flow, and inventory issues are examined.

Prerequisites: none

Investigation of work place design and environmental stress from heat, noise, vibration, repetitive motion, and illumination in personal machine systems and human-machine interaction.

Prerequisites: none

Fundamentals of logistics: control of materials, material handling, WIP, finished goods, costs of logistics. Theory and step-by-step procedures are used to analyze logistic systems, packaging and transportation, including global logistics.

Prerequisites: none

This course is focused on quality assurance systems, management philosophies, methodology, function and impact of quality systems in manufacturing operations. Development and application of statistical process control tools.

Prerequisites: none

This course covers replacement analysis, depreciation, income taxes, break even & risk analysis and capital budgeting during the life cycle of an engineering project. Advanced concepts in project management such as resource planning and project closure are also taught.

Prerequisites: none

This course covers the statistical properties, acceptance sampling, as well as the design, implementation, and operation, of various statistical quality control schemes including those based on Shewhart, and cumulative sum control charts. Methods appropriate for conducting a capability study will also be covered. The role of quality in process improvement will be examined, as well as statistical models useful in quality control.

Prerequisites: none

An advanced modeling course which emphasizes the study of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), related software and tools to support modeling, analysis, and simulation of mechanisms. Emphasis is on body, joint definition, static, kinematics, and dynamics analysis, and results visualization.

Prerequisites: none

A study of modern manufacturing processes. The recent developments in manufacturing affect everyone in the factory, from the designers and manufacturing engines to the machine operators. New technologies, automation, the use of the computers in design, process control, and inspection create complex industrial or plant environment.

Prerequisites: none

This course includes the following topics: Advanced CNC programming, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), flexible automations, robotics, and programmable logic controllers. Extra lab time is required.

Prerequisites: none

Selected manufacturing topics. May be repeated for credit with different topics, with advisor's approval.

Prerequisites: none

Manufacturing work experience in an area pertinent to the student's objective. Registration required prior to beginning employment.

Prerequisites: none

Capstone Course

An integral part of every Professional Science Masters degree, regardless of field, is the Capstone, develop a workforce project, produce a written report, and present it as an oral report.The capstone project is developed and supervised collaboratively by faculty and employers, and evaluated or graded by faculty with input from the employer. For a student who is not already employed, a semester-long internship with a private firm or public agency is established. The intent of the Capstone is to integrate the practical application of scientific and professional knowledge, behavior, and skills.

Prerequisites: none

Policies

Students seeking admission to the PSM in Engineering Management program must be admitted to the College of Graduate Studies and Research and in addition must have completed an undergraduate degree in management/finance/marketing, or a STEM field, or a related area.