Honolulu, Hawaii
June 24, 2007
June 24, 2007
June 27, 2007
2153-5965
Engineering Management
14
12.644.1 - 12.644.14
10.18260/1-2--2127
https://peer.asee.org/2127
4697
Cassandra C. Elrod is doctoral student in the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering department at the University of Missouri – Rolla. She holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering Management with an emphasis in Management of Technology (2003), and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management (2004), both from UMR. Her research interests include learning styles, engineering education, and organizational behavior issues.
Ashley Rasnic is an undergraduate student in the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering department at the University of Missouri – Rolla. She is currently working on her Bachelors degree in Engineering Management with an emphasis in Industrial Engineering.
Dr. William Daughton is professor and chair of the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering department at the University of Missouri-Rolla. He has significant industrial management experience in the semiconductor industry and over 15 years of teaching experience.
Engineering Management and Industrial Engineering: Similarities and Differences
Abstract
Engineering Management is a broad and diverse field of engineering, thereby making it difficult to define exactly what the degree encompasses. At the same time, the somewhat related degree of Industrial Engineering is better understood. Some universities offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Management with an emphasis in Industrial Engineering, while others offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering with an emphasis in Engineering Management. In today’s world of competitive academia, many wonder if these degree fields are similar enough to be used interchangeably or if there is a distinct difference separating the two degrees, making it mandatory that they stay clearly separate. To be able to offer insight into these concerns, a study of academic departments will be conducted to determine how both fields are defined and what real similarities and differences exist. As part of this study, curricula from departments in both fields will also be compared to better understand the similarities and differences in these degree programs in regard to course requirements. The results of this study will be provide insight into differentiating characteristics of the engineering management degree as an aid to successfully marketing it to prospective students.
Introduction
Engineering Management is a broad and diverse field of engineering, thereby making it difficult to define exactly what the degree encompasses, with differences occurring even between degree levels. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the somewhat related degree of Industrial Engineering is better understood than the degree of Engineering Management1. Since these two fields seem to be closely related, it is not surprising to find some higher education institutions offering each of the degree programs or offering one degree program with an emphasis in the other. For example, some institutions offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Engineering Management with an emphasis in Industrial Engineering (University of Missouri – Rolla), while others offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering with an emphasis in Engineering Management (University of Wisconsin - Platteville). In today’s world of competitive academia, many wonder if these degree fields are similar enough to be used interchangeably or if there is a distinct difference separating the two degrees, making it important to clearly differentiate them.
In order to offer insight into these concerns, departments within higher education institutions offering these two degree fields will be studied to determine how both fields are defined, and what evident similarities and differences exist between them. As part of this study, curricula from departments in both fields will also be compared to better understand the similarities and differences in these degree programs in regard to course requirements. Also, in order to better market the degree field of Engineering Management, this study hopes to draw conclusions about what the common definitions/elements are so that the field can be marketed consistently to both perspective students and potential employers.
Elrod, C., & Rasnic, A., & Daughton, W. (2007, June), Engineering Management And Industrial Engineering: Similarities And Differences Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2127
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