New track at Watson College addresses need for engineering management
Classes and projects prepare students for a variety of industries
As baby boomers continue to retire from the workforce, the next generation of leaders and supervisors is required in engineering fields.
A new academic track for graduate students at Binghamton University’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science will address that need.
The Department of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering now offers a master’s degree in engineering management. Classes and projects prepare students for a variety of industries, from manufacturing, energy, transportation, healthcare and information systems to scientific research, military and government operations.
“We have seen immense demand in this area globally, and engineering management is consistently a very popular major among students,” said Distinguished Professor and SSIE Chair Mohammad T Khasawneh. “Our department is very pleased to help meet this demand, both satisfying student requests and meeting the changing needs of industry.”
An engineering manager is expected to lead research and development teams to discover new processes, ensure sound methodology, check the technical accuracy of the team’s work, and manage a project’s budget and timeline effectively.
“The engineering management track within the Industrial and Systems Engineering master’s program prepares students with strong technical and project management skills,” said Professor Sarah Lam, the ISE graduate director.
“This track opens up opportunities for career advancement. It requires seven core courses and electives, and it can be completed in one year. Students have the flexibility to complete the engineering management track with a thesis, a final project or a coursework-only option.”
The new Watson program is designed for engineers who want to become leaders without losing their foundation in engineering. It focuses on leadership and management skills and their direct relationship to engineering process improvement, project management, effective communication and innovative solutions.
A graduate student with advanced engineering management skills can enter the marketplace with the tangible credentials and intangible leadership qualities to help push their career forward.
“This track caters to engineering students with a keen interest in advanced concepts concerning leadership and management within technical and complex teams, departments and organizations,” said SSIE Associate Professor Yong Wang. “It offers students an in-depth comprehension of the engineering and management skills required to excel in their future roles, create new possibilities, and evolve into respected and capable engineering leaders, strategic planners and decision-makers in today’s intricate systems and global economy.”