MS in Industrial & Technical Studies – 2003-05 Catalog
Graduate Programs, Orfalea College of Business
Business Bldg. (03), Room 317
805 756-1618

General Characteristics

The Master of Science in Industrial and Technical Studies (MSI&TS) program is designed to prepare students for critical "hands-on" positions in companies as operations-based facilitators. The program concentrates on developing graduates who will function successfully in technically focused industrial environments that are characterized by rapid and continual change.

The core of the program offers preparation in business-based decision tools, and technically-focused industrial processes and methods. Additional courses are taken to develop depth in a focus area that is designed to meet the student's career objectives.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSI&TS program is based upon:

(a) Successful completion of an accredited undergraduate program of study.

(b) Prior academic performance, with particular emphasis placed on performance in the last 90 quarter units (or equivalent).

(c) Achievement on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

(d) Prior work experience.

Program of Study

The MSI&TS is a 45-quarter-unit degree program with 29 units of core courses and 16 units of focus area courses.

Students can choose to focus in one of the following five areas of study:
Production Management,
Facilities Management,
Packaging Management,
Quality Management, or
Specially designed focus in Engineering,
Science, or Business

The courses that make up the 29-unit core of the MSI&TS program provide students with background information and training to:

· Utilize accounting/economics/finance-based decision tools,

· Deal successfully with the impact of science and technology on industrial processes and methods,

· Improve productivity through the use of technology,

· Commercialize changed and new technologies,

· Understand and implement the impact of technology on business strategies, and

· Deal with the human and cultural issues that arise in technically focused industrial settings.

Required core courses
BUS 501 Managerial Accounting and Managerial Economics I	5
BUS 502 Managerial Finance and Managerial Economics II	4
IT 510 Impact of Science and Technology	4
IT 512 Improving Productivity Through Technology	4
IT 514 Commercializing Technological Development	4
IT 520 Management of Technology	4
IT 527 Trends and Issues in Technology Management	4
Focus area courses Must include IT 599 Industrial & Technical Studies Thesis or Project, or advisor-approved coursework and comprehensive examination.	16
If IT 599 is not selected, a comprehensive examination must be taken within one year after completion of courses. When this deadline is not met, IT 599 must be taken to fulfill the requirement of the degree. The time limit for completion of a thesis or project is three years.
Students are required to select at least three courses from one of the following focus areas plus a sufficient number of advisor approved electives (if necessary) to yield a total of 16 units.
Production Management
BUS 472, 487; GSB 583; IME 555, 580, 575; IT 410, 428, 445, 522; 599
Facilities Management
BUS 479, 480; IT 411, 451, 453, 454, 522, 599
Packaging Management
GRC 437; IT 408, 435, 409, 599
Quality Management
BUS 487; IME 430, 431, 440; IT 403, 599
Specially Designed Focus
At least three advisor-approved electives must be selected to develop depth in an engineering, science, or business focus area (4,4,4), and IT 599
Students without sufficient prior academic technical training will be required to complete 15 units of approved courses prior to submitting a Formal Study Plan. This requirement is in addition to the 45-unit degree requirement.
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