Industrial Engineering, PhD
Advanced research in industrial engineering is finding solutions for tomorrow’s toughest technological problems, providing national and global organizations with the innovation, optimization, and designs needed for success in a competitive market. For those who are passionate about research, eager to solve complex problems, and interested in making significant academic and industry contributions, the PhD program in Industrial Engineering is the right fit for you.
Program overview
The industrial engineering PhD program develops the student’s ability to pursue independent and original research in industrial engineering and relevant fields and to teach both oral and written communication of the results of their research to the scientific community and key stakeholders. Students can pursue research in the following core areas:
- Machine Learning and AI
- Quantum Computing
- Human Factors
- Logistics, Transportation, and Supply Chain Engineering
- Manufacturing Systems
- Energy and Environment
- Healthcare
Concentrations
Students pursuing their graduate degree in industrial engineering have several concentrations to choose from including:
- Energy Science and Engineering
- Engineering Management
Why Study Industrial Engineering at UT?
As a PhD student in the program, you’ll be working alongside world-class faculty who are internationally recognized for excellence in research and teaching. While working on advanced research, the learning experience will be enhanced by close ties with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 Nuclear Security Complex. The department actively interacts with many on-campus centers, including the Reliability and Maintainability Center, the Center for Transportation Research, the state’s Institute for Public Service, the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, and many others, giving students the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge facilities and equipment for breakthrough research.
What can you do with a PhD in Industrial Engineering after graduation?
A PhD in industrial engineering provides advanced knowledge and skills with opportunities to pursue careers in a number of industries like academia, industry, government, and more. Many engineers with a PhD will continue their career in academia, working as a teaching or research professor, postdoctoral researcher, or principal investigator. Others will go on to become scientists in the field, operations research analysts, technical consultants, project managers, or even startup founders.
Featured Courses
Below are some of the courses that students in our program can choose to take. For a list of courses, visit the Graduate Catalog.
IE 567 Introduction to Quantum Algorithms
Introduces fundamental quantum computing topics such as entanglement and gate-based quantum computation. These topics will be integrated to study quantum algorithms and their applications, including solving linear systems of equations, simulating molecules, and solving combinatorial optimization problems.
IE 602 Nonlinear Optimization
Kuhn-Tucker theory in nonlinear programming, solution procedures for constrained and unconstrained nonlinear programs, search techniques, quadratic programming, duality and sensitivity analysis.
IE 608 Advanced Optimization via Simulation
Advanced topics in optimization via simulation with applications to areas of business and industry with focus on healthcare systems and supply chain and logistics: agent-based modeling and simulation, system dynamics, and discrete event simulation.
IE 611 Integer Programming
Theoretical foundations of Integer Programming and its application to optimization problems, including branch-and-bound, cutting planes, polyhedral analysis, and complexity.
Related Programs
Check out a list of related programs to look into based on your interest in industrial and systems engineering:
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