Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering
The PhD in Industrial Engineering program focuses on engineering systems development, encompassing areas like analytics, human factors, and operations research. Its aim is to address the need for expert researchers and instructors in the Philippines, bridging disciplines to solve real-world challenges.
This program stands out by offering a holistic approach, catering to diverse student backgrounds, and aiming to produce top-tier scholars and professionals. It incorporates Industry 4.0 and sustainability training, enabling independent research and offering multiple completion pathways. Ultimately, it equips graduates with the skills to solve engineering problems using advanced research methods and frameworks, deepening their understanding of complex industrial systems.
ADMISSION PROCESS
3.0 PhD in IE Tracks
Option A: Straight MS-PhD Track
This track is for those admitted to the program with any bachelor’s degree with Undergraduate Thesis, Feasibility Study or Research-Based Special Project with RRL.
Option B: Regular PhD Track
This track is for those admitted to the program with a master’s degree from a related discipline with or without a thesis/dissertation.
Option C: PhD by Research
This track is for those admitted to the program with a Master’s Degree from a related discipline with thesis/dissertation and with significant research experience (at least 2 primary authored publication in reputable peer-reviewed journals or conferences, endorsed by the Program Committee, in the past five (5) years)
3.1. NGSE Online Application Portal
The applicant fills out the NGSE application form.
3.2. Search for a Program Adviser
The applicant must contact a potential program adviser based on their research interests. The applicant must prepare and send via e-mail the following requirements:
- Letter of Intent (similar to NGSE Admission Essay)
- Research Topic/Abstract
- Curriculum Vitae
- The applicant shall have until the end of the application period for a Program Adviser to accept him/her as an advisee.. Please refer to the IE Department website for the list of PhD Advisers.
3.3. Adviser Acceptance
If a Program Adviser accepts a student as an advisee, the student must then accomplish an Adviser Acceptance Form and submit it to the NGSE as part of the requirements for admission.
3.4. Wait for Admission Decision from the NGSE
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
4.1. Admission
Admission into the program shall require satisfaction of pertinent standard University and College/NOSE requirements as approved by appropriate bodies.
4.1.1. Assignment of a Program Adviser
Students seeking admission shall apply to a specific Faculty member, affiliated with the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, as a potential Program Adviser subject to the endorsement and/or assignment of the Program Committee. Only when a Faculty member has accepted the applicant can the applicant proceed with the standard admission process of the University. The early assignment of a mentor will help accelerate the identification of the student’s research direction and progress towards dissertation. The program adviser can be the student’s research adviser.
4.1.2. Approval of a Program of Study
A Program of Study must be prepared by the applicant with guidance from the Program Adviser. The endorsement and/or approval of the Program of Study may be done during the same meeting when the Program Adviser is endorsed and/or assigned.
4.1.3. Minimum Requirements for Admission
The minimum requirements for admission are as follows.
4.1.3.1. Degree Requirements
| Option A Straight MS-PhD | Option B Regular PhD | Option C PhD by Research |
|---|---|---|
| Any Bachelor’s degree with Undergraduate Thesis, Feasibility Study or Research-Based Special Project with RRL | A Master’s degree from a related discipline with or without a thesis/dissertation | A Master’s degree from a related discipline with a thesis/dissertation |
4.1.3.2. Previous Research Experience Requirements
Requirements for previous research experience per track are summarized in Table 2.
Table 2: Previous Research Experience Requirements Per Track
4.1.3.3. Recommendation Letters
Recommendation from at least two (2) former professors or mentors to establish intellectual capacity, psychological readiness, and aptitude towards post baccalaureate studies and research;
4.1.3.4. Language Proficiency
Language proficiency If the applicant’s baccalaureate institution’s main medium of instruction is not English, the applicant is required to have a certification passing an English language proficiency test recognized by the University;
4.1.3.5. Health Certificate
Health certificate and other additional and special admission requirements imposed by the Office of the University Registrar and the Program Committee of the implementing institution, duly approved by the Program Committee.
4.1.3.6. Diagnostic Exam
For all tracks, the applicant must show proficiency in the following course topics by passing the diagnostic exam or equivalency application subject to the approval of the Program Committee according to the rules of the University. Additional refresher courses may be included in the Program of Study as non-credit courses.
For the Straight MS-PhD track the following course topics will be required² :
- College Statistics (e.g. IE 27 Probability and Statistics for Engineers / Stat 101 Elementary Statistics, or its equivalent)
- Industrial Materials and Processes (e.g., IE 21 Industrial Materials and Processes or its equivalent)
- Operations Research (IE 41 Operations Research 1 or its equivalent)
- Calculus (e.g. Math 23 Elementary Analysis III, or its equivalent)
- Computational skills or experience familiar with at least one programming language (e.g. CS 11 Computer Programming! ES 26 Computer Programming or its equivalent)
For the Regular PhD and PhD by Research tracks, the following course competencies are required:
- Regression and Design of Experiments (e.g. IE 230 Statistical Design and Analysis for Engineers or its equivalent)
- Deterministic Operations Research (e.g. IE 241 Operations Research I or its equivalent)
- Production Systems (e.g. IE 231 Analysis of Production Systems or its equivalent)
- Computational skills or experience familiar with at least one programming language (e.g. CS 11 Computer Programming! ES 26 Computer Programming or its equivalent)
** The applicant is deemed admitted to the program once the Program Committee has assigned her/his Program Adviser and approved the Program of Study and finishes all refresher subjects, if any.
4.2. Retention, Residence, Transfer or Shifting
4.2.1. Retention
The program follows the graduate program retention rules of the College and University for students enrolled in a doctorate program.
4.2.2. Residence
Depending on the option, the program should ordinarily take from three (3) to four (4) years to complete.
4.2.3. Transfer/Shifting
Graduate students from any program from UP Diliman or any UP-Constituent University, may apply to shift to the program subject to the admission requirements imposed by the Program Committee. Graduate students from other higher educational institutions seeking transfer into the University must satisfy the admission requirements of the University and those imposed by the Program Committee.
4.3. Graduation and Endorsement for Awarding of PhD Degree
The following minimum conditions are imposed within the Program in addition to the existing University rules and regulations governing graduate programs.
4.3.1. Thesis (for Straight MS-PhD only)
This requirement is designed to provide a student in the Straight MS-PhD Track the opportunity to apply the concepts and frameworks learned from IE major courses to do research via the guidance of an adviser on a topic of mutual interest. A major output of this requirement is a thesis paper that can be submitted to reputable peer-reviewed journals or conferences endorsed by the PhD Program Committee. This will serve as the first paper publication requirement of the Straight MS-PhD Track.
4.3.2. Comprehensive Exam (for Straight MS-PhD only)
The student shall take a comprehensive exam after finishing all master’s level major courses. The exam will be based on the university rules and guidelines for administration.
4.3.3. Qualifying Exam
The student shall take a qualifying exam after finishing all PhD core courses. The exam will be based on the university rules and guidelines for administration. Exemption may be given to students who excelled in PhD core courses, subject to the approval of the Program Committee.
4.3.4. Candidacy Exam
A comprehensive review of literature will be required and presented orally by the student to his or her proposed dissertation panel. This exam can be scheduled together with the Qualifying Exam (in the case of the students under Straight and Regular PhD Tracks). The candidacy exam will be administered based on standard University Guidelines. Passing the Candidacy Exam admits the student to candidacy for the PhD degree.
4.3.5. Dissertation Proposal Defense
This milestone ensures that the student has acquired an adequate level of expertise in generating a sound proposal to solve a given engineering problem in IE. The dissertation topic defense may be held during the first 9 units of the dissertation course. The topic proposal manuscript must first be endorsed by the Readers and the Research Adviser before the candidate is allowed to present. The Dissertation Panel may require another Topic Defense only in the case of a significant change in research direction/topic, and/or change of a Program/Research Adviser.
4.3.6. Published Papers
Published papers prove the PhD student’s ability to satisfactorily publish his/her works as a novel contribution to the field. The main requirement is the
acceptance/publication of paper(s) related to the dissertation work (at least 2 out of 3 published works) in reputable peer-reviewed journals or conferences endorsed by the Program Committee during the student’s residence in the program. Paper submission is also required where the student must show that the paper was successfully submitted to ajoumallconference for review. The student must be the first author in all of the publications. Table 3 shows the summary of publication requirements per Option. In addition, patents are also accepted in lieu of papers based on the equivalency included in Table 3.
Table 3: Summary of Publication Requirements³
The Program Committee shall maintain a white list of such acceptable journals and conference proceedings to be made available to all the faculty members of the Program Committee. Such listing may be subject to revision as the Program Committee sees it fit and/or according to the endorsement of the Program Committee.
4.3.7. Dissertation Final Defense
This tests the PhD candidate’s ability to satisfactorily defend his/her works as novel surrounding an Industrial Engineering problem inclusive of its implication to the field. The dissertation topic defense is held during the last 3 units of the dissertation course. The Dissertation manuscript must first be endorsed by the Readers and the Adviser before the candidate is allowed to present. The minimum number of panel members will follow the Faculty Manual, or more as required by the Program Committee. The dissertation manuscript format must follow the requirements of the Program Committee according to the nature of the dissertation topic.
4.4. Graduation and Endorsement for Awarding of MS Degree (through Straight MS-PhD Track Only)
In cases where the student is not able to or would not like to continue the straight MS-PhD track, the student may opt to pick up an MS IE degree as long as the student successfully completes the following requirements. The following minimum conditions are imposed within the Program in addition to the existing University rules and regulations governing graduate programs. In addition, the student must be the one to initiate the process of the getting the pickup degree by submitting a request letter addressed to the Program Committee.
4.4.1. Master’s Thesis
The student has successfully defended his/her master’s thesis and submitted the required documentation.
4.4.2. One Accepted/Submitted Manuscript Paper
The student has at least one (1) Manuscript Paper ready from the thesis for submission/or accepted in reputable peer-reviewed journals or conferences endorsed by the PhD Program Committee.
4.4.3. Coursework
The student has completed all of the following identified coursework:
4.4.3.1. IE 230, IE 231, IF 241, IE 296, IE 300
Primary authored publication (at least 2 out of 3 are related to the dissertation work) in reputable peer-reviewed journals or conferences
and
4.4.3.2. Elective Courses (at least 15 units)
4.4.4. Passed the Comprehensive Exam (as discussed in 4.3.2)
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
IE 330 Advanced Statistical Methods for Industrial Engineering. Advanced statistical analysis of univariate and multivariate data for industrial engineering research.
(Pre-req: IE 230 Statistical Design and Analysis for Engineers or its equivalent.)
IE 350 Sustainable Production Systems. Principles, models, and methods for design and analysis of sustainable production systems.
(Pre-req: IE 231 Analysis of Production Systems or its equivalent course and LE 241 Operations Research I or its equivalent course.)
IE 371 Computational Methods for Industrial Engineering. Design, development and deployment of state-of-the-art computational algorithms to solve various industrial engineering problems.
(Pre-req: COI.)
IE 395 Directed Studies in Industrial Engineering. Conduct of directed, specific research, preparation and submission of scientific manuscript for peer-review and publication.
(Stip: Must be taken three times, total of 12 units for the duration of the program.).
IE 399 Research Methods in Industrial Engineering. Analysis of the current and innovative research methods in IE including development of skills for effective dissemination of scientific knowledge and research results and discussion of updates on state-of-the art IE topics.
(Stip: Must have taken or is taking atleast one Ph.D. in LE core course for Straight MS-Ph.D. and Regular Ph.D. Tracks; Must be taken on the first semester of the program for Ph.D. by Research.)
QUALIFIED ELECTIVE COURSES
IE 351 Life Cycle Assessment I. Theories, tools, and principles for performing life cycle assessment.
(Pre-req: COI.)
IE 352 Life Cycle Assessment II. Study of advanced LCA methods databases and software and discussion of policies related to LCA.
(Pre-req: IE 351 Life Cycle Assessment I for PhD IE students; IE 351 Life Cycle Assessment I and ES 201 Advanced Mathematical Methods in Engineering I or its equivalent for non/PhD IE students.)
IE 397 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering. State-of-the-art and upcoming concepts, theories and frameworks of IE.
(Pre-req: COI.) (Stip: May be taken up to three times, provided the subject titles are different.)
CULMINATING COURSE
IE 400 PhD Dissertation. Research work on an approved dissertation topic; paper writing, submission, and/or revisions; Dissertation defense.
(Pre-req: IE 399 Research Methods in Industrial Engineering) (Stip: May be taken one time or in parts (e.g. 3, 6, or 12 units per sem.))
PROGRAM OF THE STUDY
| Course Classification | Straight MS-PhD | Regular PhD | PhD By Research |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Courses | • IE 230 Statistical Design and Analysis for Engineers (3) • IE 231 Analysis of Production Systems (3) • IE 241 Operations Research I (3) | None | None |
| PhD Core Courses | • IE 330 Advanced Statistical Methods for Industrial Engineering (3) • IE 371 Computational Methods for Industrial Engineering (3) • IE 350 Sustainable Production Systems (3) • IE 399 Research Methods in Industrial Engineering (3) | • IE 330 Advanced Statistical Methods for Industrial Engineering (3) • IE 371 Computational Methods for Industrial Engineering (3) • IE 350 Sustainable Production Systems (3) • IE 399 Research Methods in Industrial Engineering (3) | • IE 395 Directed Studies in Industrial Engineering (12 units) • IE 399 Research Methods in Industrial Engineering (3) |
| Qualified Electives | Choose from list* (24) | Choose from list* (15) | None |
| Comprehensive Exam | Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Qualifying Exam | Required | Required | Not Required |
| Candidacy Exam | Required | Required | Required |
| Masters Culminating Courses | • IE 296 Graduate Seminar (1) • IE 300 Thesis (6) | ||
| Dissertation Proposal Defense | Required | Required | Required |
| Publication Requirements | • 2 Accepted or Published Papers • 1 Submitted Paper | • 1 Accepted or Published Paper • 2 Submitted Papers | • 3 Accepted or Published Papers |
| Dissertation | • IE 400 (12 units) | • IE 400 (12 units) | • IE 400 (12 units) |
| Dissertation Final Defense | Required | Required | Required |
| Total | 64 Units | 39 Units | 27 Units |
*Qualified Electives
- IE 351 Life Cycle Assessment I, 3u
- IE 352 Life Cycle Assessment II, 3u
- IE 397 Special Topics in Industrial Engineering, 3u
- Al 321 Machine Learning for Sequential Data, 3u
- Al 322 Reinforcement Learning, 3u
- Al 351 Machine Learning in Natural Language Processing, 3u
- IE 242 Operations Research II, 3u
- IE 243 Advanced Methods and Standards, 3u.
- lB 245 Advances in Production Systems, 3u.
- IE 251 Engineering Economic Analysis, 3u
- IE 252 Advanced Operations Research, 3u
- IE 255 Facilities Systems Design
- IE 271 Information Systems Engineering, 3u.
- IE 272 Data Engineering, 3u.
- IE 273 Design of Analytics Systems, 3u.
- IE 281 Systems Simulation, 3u.
- IE 298 Special Problems, 3u.
- Al 201 Artificial Intelligence, 3u
- Al 221 Classical Machine Learning, 3u
- Al 222 Advanced Machine Learning, 3u
- Al 231 Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) 3u
- EgyE 231 Energy Economic and System Evaluation, 3u
- EnE 203 Introduction to Environmental Engineering, 3u
- Any creditable graduate-level course that has been recommended for
approval by the adviser and the Program Committee; provided that all
course prerequisites have been satisfied.