This website serves as a resource for current and prospective students to explore the courses offered within the Industrial and Systems Engineering program (course codes beginning with ISYE). This website will be a key resource for students designing their Plan of Study, as it will include the anticipated course offerings for the next academic year once they are finalized by the faculty. Faculty and staff in the ISE Department will update the website regularly to ensure it reflects the most accurate and current information.

SPRING 2025 - Undergraduate Research Program (URP) Opportunity: Healthcare Ergonomics Project – contact Dr. Nima Ahmadi (ahmadn4@rpi.edu) if interested

We are seeking a motivated undergraduate student to join an exciting research project focused on healthcare ergonomics. The selected student will gain hands-on experience in the following areas:

1. Video Evaluation:

• Analyze recorded videos of healthcare tasks to assess ergonomic practices and identify areas for improvement.
• Apply ergonomic assessment tools (e.g., RULA) to evaluate posture and motion.

2. Physiological Data Analysis:

• Work with physiological response data, such as heart rate, galvanic skin response, and pupil diameter, to examine workload and stress levels during tasks.
• Assist in processing and interpreting data collected using wearable sensors.

3. Data Management and Analysis:

• Collaborate with the project lead to organize, clean, and analyze the collected data.
• Support in creating visualizations and statistical summaries for research findings:

This position provides a valuable opportunity to develop skills in data analysis, video evaluation, and ergonomic assessment, contributing to advancements in healthcare ergonomics. Interested students should be detailed-oriented, curious, and eager to learn.

SPRING 2025 - RPI Class Schedule Troy Campus (by Subject):

ISYE 1100 Intro to Industrial and Systems Engineering (Wed 11:00 – 11:50) An introduction to industrial and systems engineering (ISE). Major elements of the ISE disciplines are overviewed in the context of operations engineering problems. Topics include deterministic and stochastic applications of operations research methods, soft computing, applications of probability and statistics, engineering economics, discrete event simulation, and decision analysis.

ISYE 2210 Production and Operations Management (Mon/Thur 2:00 – 3:20) Overview of methods used in the design and operation of production and service systems and basic cost accounting. Topics include forecasting, capacity planning, line balancing, production scheduling, staff scheduling, inventory control, just in time, time study, project planning, and discrete item cost accounting. Goal of course is to educate students in basic operations management principles and models and in discrete goods cost accounting.

ISYE 4140 Statistical Analysis (Mon/Thur 4:00 – 5:50) Review of simple and multiple regression, selection procedures, regression diagnostics, residual analysis, stepwise regression, analysis of variance, design of experiments including factorial experiments, analysis of ordinal data and nonparametric inference, basic time series models. Extensive use of statistical software. Emphasis on statistical applications to industrial engineering.

ISYE 4270 Multidisciplinary Capstone Design (Tues/Fri 10:00 – 11:50) A capstone design experience that engages students from biomedical, computer systems, electrical, industrial, materials, and mechanical engineering on teams in an open-ended engineering design problem in preparation for professional practice. With the guidance of a multidisciplinary team of faculty members and instructional support staff, students apply knowledge and skills from prior coursework. This is a communication-intensive course.

ISYE 4290/6620 Discrete Event Simulation Modeling and Analysis (Tues/Fri 2:00 – 3:50) Introduction to discrete-event simulation modeling and analysis techniques including; graphical simulation modeling approaches, animation techniques, modeling large-scale and complex systems, pseudo-random number and random variate generation, stochastic processes, input modeling (data collection, analysis, and fitting distribution), output analysis (initial bias and termination bias, variance reduction techniques), sensitivity analysis, design of experiments, interactive simulation-based decision-support systems.

ISYE 4300/6960 Complex Systems Models for Industrial and Systems Engineering (Tues/Fri 10:00 – 11:20) This course introduces simulation-based modeling methods for complex systems frequently encountered and used by industrial and systems engineers. Examples include production systems, queuing networks, communication systems, healthcare systems, supply chains, social networks, transportation systems, and financial markets. This course introduces techniques including discrete-event simulation and agent-based simulation for modeling and analyzing interdependent, interacting, and coupling variables, agents, components, and related subsystems.

ISYE 4330/6020 Design of Experiments (Tues/Fri 12:00 – 1:20) Methods of designing experiments so that statistical analysis of the resulting data will yield the maximum useful information. Testing of hypotheses; analysis of variance and covariance. Various designs, including the factorial and its modifications, incomplete blocks, Latin squares, and response surface designs are covered. Also discussed are optimality properties of design.

ISYE 4350/6350 Systems Engineering and Social Media (Wed 2:00 – 4:40) An introduction to social media analytics. Topics include obtaining and processing social media data, social network analysis, content analysis, descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics using social media, ethical aspects of social media analytics.

ISYE 4500 Stochastic Methods in Operations Research (Mon/Thur 10:00 – 11:20) This course develops an understanding of stochastic processes that evolve over time, and the ability to model, analyze, and solve optimization problems for systems that involve sequential and interrelated decisions. Course topics include Probability Theory, Markov Chains, Dynamic Programming, and Queueing Theory. The application areas include but are not limited to production and inventory systems, customer service, revenue management, and health care.

ISYE 4555 Ethical Engineer, Engineering and Technology (Mon/Thur 12:00 – 1:50) This course focuses on the morally motivated work of engineers; how they have changed the world for centuries and continue to do so.  It examines the past, present and the future of engineering through ethical reflections and knowledge based on various engineering code of ethics with particular attention to NSPE Code of Ethics. Students are invited to analyze contemporary issues in engineering, hear lectures from experts’ experiences with ethical challenges in engineering, and interview engineers in various engineering fields. Particular attention will be paid to topics of corporate social responsibility and social justice. The aim of the course is to encourage engineering student to practice moral - sensibility, - analysis skills, - creativity, - judgment skills, - decision-making skills, and - argumentation skills. 

ISYE 4960/6550 Network Flows (Mon/Thur 2:00 – 3:20) Network flow problems form a subclass of linear programming problems with applications to transportation, logistics, manufacturing, computer science, project management, and finance, and many other domains. This subject will survey some of the applications of network optimization and focus on key special cases of network optimization problems including the following: the shortest path problems, the maximum flow problems, traveling salesperson problems, and matching problems.

ISYE 6760 Integer and Combinatorial Optimization (Tues/Fri 12:00 – 1:50) Review of exact and heuristic methods for solving discrete problems, including the traveling salesman problem, the knapsack problem, packing and covering problems. Algorithm complexity and NP-completeness, cutting plane methods and polyhedral theory, branch and bound, simulated annealing, tabu search, Lagrangian duality.

FALL 2024 - RPI Class Schedule Troy Campus (by Subject):

ISYE 2530 Information and Data Systems (Mon/Thur 10:00 – 11:50) - This course covers the design and implementation of computer-based systems to support the collection, organization and analysis of data and information. Topics include theory and techniques for transforming raw data from various sources into structured and usable information; the role of information and data systems in the engineering enterprise; and approaches to interacting with computer-based information systems to support decision making.

ISYE 4210/6600 Design and Analysis of Supply Chains (Mon/Thur 8:30 – 9:50) - An overview of the principles involved in the management of supply chains with an emphasis on demand forecasting, resource planning, supply chain operations and coordination, inventory management, and network design.  The course will emphasize the theoretical aspects of these topics, with the development of quantitative approaches to aid in decision-making and managerial insights.

ISYE 4230 Quality Control (Tues/Fri 10:00 – 11:20) - The statistical approach to manufacturing quality control is emphasized. Consideration is given to the managerial implications and responsibilities in implementing the statistical approach. Topical coverage includes construction and interpretation of various control charts; special control charts (e.g., CUSUM, EWMA); graphical methods; specifications, tolerance limits, process capability indices; acceptance sampling; discussion of experimental design; and Taguchi methods of quality improvement.

ISYE 4240 Engineering Project Management (Mon/Thur 2:00 – 3:20) - Planning, controlling, and evaluating engineering projects. Use of network analysis techniques, PERT/CPM, budget control, time/cost tradeoff, time estimation, resource allocation, and resource leveling. Extensions include probabilistic models, multiple resource models, project organization, risk analysis, technical forecasting, and network theory. 

ISYE 4260 Human Performance Modeling and Support (Tues/Fri 12:00 – 1:20) - This course introduces methods, tools, and technologies for describing human performance via various types of models, and supporting this performance via tools and advanced technologies. The course is hands-on, involving student projects that investigate human performance in challenging domains as well as direct engagement with technologies for decision support.

ISYE 4270 Multidisciplinary Capstone Design (Tues/Fri 10:00 - 11:50) - A capstone design experience that engages students from biomedical, computer systems, electrical, industrial, materials, and mechanical engineering on teams in an open-ended engineering design problem in preparation for professional practice. With the guidance of a multidisciplinary team of faculty members and instructional support staff, students apply knowledge and skills from prior coursework. This is a communication-intensive course.

ISYE 4290/6620 Discrete Event Simulation Modeling and Analysis Tues/Fri 2:00 – 3:50) - Introduction to discrete-event simulation modeling and analysis techniques including; graphical simulation modeling approaches, animation techniques, modeling large-scale and complex systems, pseudo-random number and random variate generation, stochastic processes, input modeling (data collection, analysis, and fitting distribution), output analysis (initial bias and termination bias, variance reduction techniques), sensitivity analysis, design of experiments, interactive simulation-based decision-support systems.

ISYE 4360/6360 Applied Data Science Mon/Thurs 12:00 – 1:50) - This engineering course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of machine learning in a lab-like environment. The course is structured in three main parts that mimic the daily workflow of a data scientist in a real organization: (i) data preparation; (ii) machine learning algorithms; and (iii) data visualization and decision making.

ISYE 4440 Management of Engineering and Technology (Mon/Thurs 12:00 – 1:50) - The study of the link between engineering, and management. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the foundations of engineering management.  Topics covered include the concept of engineering management, its relationship to engineering, and its historical underpinnings, the traditional roles of management with particular emphasis on leadership skills. The course examines the difference between managerial vs. leadership roles in organizational settings. Furthermore, attention is given to evaluating risk, and other organizational and administrative capabilities. The ethical dimensions of the organization and the engineering community are also explored.

ISYE 4600/6610 Operations Research Methods (Mon/Thurs 4:00 – 5:20) - This course is an introduction to deterministic mathematical modeling for common decision problems in industrial and management engineering including supply chain management, production planning, and public policy. Students will learn to formulate and solve linear and integer programs, evaluate robustness of solutions via sensitivity analysis, and apply duality and other fundamental techniques in deterministic optimization.

ISYE 4960/6960 Game Theory Applications in Supply Chain Management (Tues/Fri 8:00 – 9:50) – This course intends to enable students to develop an understanding of interactions between multiple decision makers and provide a formal game-theoretical analysis. Topics that will be covered include the following: Introduction to game theory, Static games of complete information, Dynamic games of complete information, Supply chain coordination, Principal-agent models.

ISYE 6780 Introduction to Optimization (Tues/Fri 12:00 – 1:50) - Convex sets and functions, optimality conditions in nonlinear programming, Lagrangian duality, quadratic programming algorithms for nonlinear programming including Newton’s method, quasi-Newton methods, conjugate gradient methods, together with proofs of convergence.

ISYE 6900 Seminar in ISYE Research (Tues/Fri 10:00 – 11:50) - A review of active ISYE doctoral research projects and activities. Students develop a research paper or proposal under the guidance of a selected faculty adviser and present research findings in class. It is anticipated that the research paper will lead to identification of the broad area of dissertation research. The proposal should be of a quality that can be submitted to an external funding agency.

ISYE 6964 Decision Making Under Uncertainty (Tues/Fri 10:00 – 11:20) – This course introduces methods for automating the process of decision-making. Starting with the concept of probabilistic reasoning, this course will provide a foundation for a sequential decision-making framework, which can be applied in various domains including autonomous driving, exploration, and robotics. The focus will specifically be on decision making problems under state uncertainty and finally multi-agent systems. Topics include: Bayesian networks, Markov decision process, partially observable Markov decision processes, multi-agent reasoning.

SUMMER 2024 - RPI Class Schedule Troy Campus (full and part of term):

ISYE 4140 Statistical Analysis (Mon/Thur 10:30 – 12:35) – Review of simple and multiple regression, selection procedures, regression diagnostics, residual analysis, stepwise regression, analysis of variance, design of experiments including factorial experiments, analysis of ordinal data and nonparametric inference, basic time series models. Extensive use of statistical software. Emphasis on statistical applications to industrial engineering.

ISYE 4240 Engineering Project Management (Mon/Thur 1:30 – 3:35) – Planning, controlling, and evaluating engineering projects. Use of network analysis techniques, PERT/CPM, budget control, time/cost tradeoff, time estimation, resource allocation, and resource leveling. Extensions include probabilistic models, multiple resource models, project organization, risk analysis, technical forecasting, and network theory. 

ISYE 4600/6610 Operations Research Methods (Mon/Thur 4:00 – 6:05) -This course is an introduction to deterministic mathematical modeling for common decision problems in industrial and management engineering including supply chain management, production planning, and public policy. Students will learn to formulate and solve linear and integer programs, evaluate robustness of solutions via sensitivity analysis, and apply duality and other fundamental techniques in deterministic optimization.

ISYE 4961 Enhancing Critical Thinking (Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri 1:30 – 3:35) - This course will focus on developing critical thinking skills, fostering curiosity, and reducing cognitive biases to promote rational and informed decision-making. We will also discuss critical judgment skills and how inherent processes influence outcomes:  develop critical thinking skills, overcome uncritical thinking, practice critical thinking.

Explore Historical RPI Course Offerings on Quatalog

For historical course offerings from the ISE Department, please refer to the Quatalog website. By entering the course code (e.g., ISYE-6600), you can view details such as the semesters the course was offered.