Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (Manufacturing and Supply Chain Engineering)

This Master programme combines the core disciplines of Industrial Engineering and Operational Research. Industrial Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with analysing, designing and optimising complex operational systems. The set of the mathematical tools these engineers rely on for designing operational systems is known under the term Operations Research.

Master's Programme
2 year 120 credits
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
English
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About the programme
Programme summary
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After graduation

What

The master’s programme combines the disciplines of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research into a single study programme.

Industrial Engineering (IE) is the engineering domain that deals with analysing, designing, and optimising complex operational systems, with the aim of improving their effectiveness and efficiency, and thus increasing their productivity in a sustainable manner. A unique feature of IE is the consideration of the human element as a crucial factor in these systems.

Operations Research (OR) is the domain that studies mathematical models, both deterministic and stochastic, and a wide range of simulation and optimisation techniques. For an IE engineer, these OR tools are essential in designing and managing operational systems.

The combination of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research thus creates an engineering profile that can play a key role in various industries. Some pertinent application domains include Industry 5.0, connected robotics, sustainable smart cities. The IE/OR programme effectively prepares students for taking up leading roles in manufacturing and service industries worldwide, by thoroughly training them in technical principles of the design, planning and control of systems.

Remarks

The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FEA) offers most of its Master’s Programmes in Engineering in English. This underlines the faculty's international ambition, as well as the importance of international education and multiple language skills for students.

For whom

The admission requirements vary. Depending on your preliminary training, you are either able to enrol directly, or there are additional requirements.

Structure

The programme consists of a general module, main subject modules, elective courses, and a master dissertation. The general module contains 36 credits of courses that cover the core competences of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.

Students choose among two main subject modules, with 30 credits of specialist courses in distinct application domains. The main subject Manufacturing & Supply Chain Engineering Engineering focuses on analysing, optimizing, and designing systems in production and logistics, e.g., from the detailed time and methods study of an operator at a semi-automated workstation in a plastic recycling facility to the strategic network study of a global supply chain chain of electrical cars assembled in Belgium using components sourced from 3 different continents. The main subject Transport & Mobility Engineering focuses on analysing, optimizing, and designing systems that move people and goods around, from the detailed analysis of road traffic at an intersection to the development of sustainable intermodal mobility services that integrate public and private transport.

Through 30 credits of elective courses, students can further deepen and/or broaden their knowledge and skills in technical and non-technical subjects. As part of the electives, students can obtain a minor in either Artificial Intelligence or Automotive Production Engineering, two domains closely related to Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.

In the Master Dissertation, covering the final 24 credits of the two-year programme, students perform academic research using OR tools to tackle challenging IE problems in manufacturing, supply chain, transport or mobility.

Labour Market

Companies in all branches of industry, public services, and scientific research are eager to recruit IE/OR engineers. They have the skills to lead the continuous day-to-day improvement of systems that create products and services, but also to innovate and develop new products and services. IE/OR engineers are typically recruited as production manager, business analyst, project manager, supply chain consultant, etc. and usually quickly grow into senior technically specialised roles, or management positions.