The Master of Science in industrial and systems engineering is designed to offer students the skills and tools they need to excel in the advanced techniques and concepts needed to analyze and improve manufacturing and service systems. Students will use advanced mathematics and scientific tools to design, improve and optimize human-technology systems while also improving research and reporting skills. The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers an M.S. degree with a major in industrial and systems engineering. Students may choose to pursue the degree culminating in a thesis (to develop research abilities in industrial and systems engineering), or in a project (to prepare for advanced practice in industrial and systems engineering). Industrial and systems engineers are employed in a broad variety of organizations, including manufacturing industries, utilities, transportation, health care systems, financial institutions, and all levels of government agencies. Students with a baccalaureate degree in engineering or science or other disciplines are encouraged to consider graduate study in industrial and systems engineering.