College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

Master of Science in Industrial Technology

  1. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

    The curriculum of the Industrial Technology program is a discipline associated with implementing, operating, and continuously improving systems of machines, materials and processes, as well as financial, human and energy resources. The discipline emphasized the integration of technological management knowledge with leadership skills to help manufacturing/processing industries to achieve desired goals efficiently and with appropriate concern for the environment, ethics, quality and human diversity.

    The function of the program is to continuously improve the managerial and technical knowledge of individuals by transferring and sharing the most recent technology and practices through cooperative efforts with industry, government and other educational institutions. The program encourages research and problem solving, while providing services to the public, business and industrial sectors.

    The Master of Science in Industrial Technology will provide a broad-based program to prepare individuals for (1) technical management positions in business and manufacturing firms and (2) teaching and administrative positions in applied technology. The program provides a technology-based core of advanced courses in management of technology, materials and processes, manufacturing systems, communication concepts, visual presentation and research methodology. The selection of elective courses in industrial technology, engineering, business and /or education will depend on the individual’s educational and career objectives.

    The individually tailored program will provide an opportunity for students to gain a broader technological expertise, stronger research orientation, and stronger business, oral and written communication skills. Each of these competencies is needed in both industry and education.

  2. ADMISSION CRITERIA AND PREREQUISTES
    1. Admission Criteria

      There are specific admission requirement. These should be completed prior to beginning the Master of Science in Industrial Technology course work. However, with special permission from the Departments’ Graduate Coordinator, a maximum of 9 units may be allowed toward the degree while admission requirements are being completed. Essentially, the requirements include completing an information sheet, explaining in 500 words or less the reason for pursing a master’s degree, submitting GRE verbal and quantitative scores, and three graduate program letters of recommendation. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is requires.

      International students must complete the TOEFL examination with a score of 535. Program course requirements and experiences mandate that each candidate be proficient in both oral and written communication skills.

    2. Admission Prerequisites

      The Master of Science in Industrial Technology assumes preparation equivalent to a CSU undergraduate major in industrial technology or technology education. Students who have not completed a degree in the above majors or who have not completed the required prerequisites or equivalent courses are to do so prior to enrolling in courses to be applied towards the mater’s program:

      Required prerequises or equivalent:

      IT 52 Electricity and Electronics
      IT 74 Manufacturing Processes
      IT 92 Industrial Safety Management
      IT 102 Industrial Computer Concepts and Applications
      IT 114 Industrial Materials
      IT 115 CAD Principles and Methods
      Math 11 or DS 73 Statistics

      Recommended courses:

      IT 104 Product Design
      IT 117 Quality Assurance
      IT 118 Production Operations
      IT 137 International Quality Standards
      IT 148 Project Management and Control

      PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

      15 units       Core
      12 units       Electives
        3 units      Thesis or project (IT 299 Project or IT 299 Thesis)
      30 units       TOTAL

      Course Work Characteristics

      The graduate courses in industrial technology emphasize theoretical and applied principles relating to industry, technology and managerial strategies. These courses contribute to the background needed in solving practical industrial problems. All students will take course work in management of technology and innovation, research methodology, advanced materials and processes, communication concepts and visual presentations and advanced manufacturing systems.

      Industrial technology candidates pursing technology management careers will select elective course work in such areas as computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) Computer Process Control Systems, information systems management, Computer Networking Systems Management and quality systems management.

      Industrial technology students pursing a teaching career will select elective course work in the areas as CIM concepts, production operations, computer numerical control, advanced CAD applications, counseling, administrative organization, instructional planning and evaluation and secondary school curriculum.

      Service to the part-time student

      The program is designed to accommodate part-time students who are employed full-time. This will be accomplished by offering most graduate courses in the late afternoon or evening.

      COURSE/UNIT REQUIREMENTS:

      1. Total units required for degree:

        A minimum of 30 units required with at least 21 units of specified 200 level courses and either project or thesis work.

      2. Required and elective courses:

        All students must complete 15 units of common core courses. Under the direction of a graduate adviser, students will focus their individualized programs on 12 units of electives. Three units of thesis or projects will complete the program of study.

      Graduate Core Units
      IT 223   Management of New Technology
      IT 280   Research Methodology
      IT 282   Advanced Communication Concepts and Visual Presentations
      IT 283   Advanced Materials and Processes
      IT 285   Advanced Manufacturing Systems
          Total
      3
      3
      3
      3
      3
      15

      Electives

      In consultation with a graduate advisor, select 12 units from the following list of courses in industrial technology, engineering, business or education. One of the four courses selected must be a 200 level course. Courses in independent study can also be included in the degree to provide a means for in-depth study in a specialized area.

      Industrial Technology Courses

      IT 112   Industrial Process Control System I      3
      IT 116   Applied Visual Programming      3
      IT 127   Vehicle Design and Development      3
      IT 131   Automated Systems I      3
      IT 133   Industrial Process Control Systems II      3
      IT 134   Computer-Aided Manufacturing Systems I      3
      IT 147   Advanced CAD Application      3
      IT 156   Automated Systems II      3
      IT 158   Computer Networking I      3
      IT 163   Computer Networking II      3
      IT 177   Computer-Aided Manufacturing Systems II      3
      IT 284T   Topics in Industrial Technology      3
      IT 290   Independent Study   1-3
          Other IT courses approved by an adviser  

      Engineering courses

      IE 112   Statistical Design of Experiments   3
      IE 114   Facilities Engineering   3
      IE 125   Human Factors in Engineering and Design   3
      IE 130   Production and Inventory Control   3
      IE 170   Engineering Management   3
          Other engineering courses approved by an advisor    

      Business Courses

      HRM 150   Administration of Personnel   3
      IS 160   Management Information Systems   3
      LOG 136   Introduction to Procurement   4
      Mgt. 127   First-Line Supervision   3
      Mgt. 128   Problems in Small Business Management   3
      Mgt. 129   Introspection to Entrepreneurship   3
      MBA 201   Accounting and Information Systems   3
      MBA 210   Seminar in Regulatory and Ethical Environment of Business   3
          Other engineering courses approved by an advisor   3

      Education Courses

      Coun 174   Introduction to Counseling   3
      EAD 261   Managing Educational Organizations   3
      ERF 272   Instructional Planning and Evaluation   3
      CTET 225   Integration of Technology Across and Curriculum   3
          Other education courses approved by an advisor    
      Thesis or Project - IT298 or IT 299                                            3

      A thesis or project is an integral aspect of the 30-unit program.  Students will conduct original research on a topic of concern in industrial technology and reports as a concluding experience.

  3. EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FACILITIES

    The Department of Industrial Technology has some of the best facilities in the United States. These facilities provide an excellent environment for conducting research. Reference material with the department and at the University Library provides very good resources for aiding in conduction research.

  4. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

    Career opportunities are in:

    Technical Management:

    Fleet Service Manager
    Manufacturing Engineering Manager
    Transportation Manager
    Plant Engineering Manager
    Production Operations Manager
    Production Planning Analyst
    Quality Engineer Manager
    Technical Documentation Manager
    Technical Marketing Manager
    Technical Systems Manager
    Training Manager
    Computer Networking Administrator

    Teaching Profession:

    Public Schools
    Community Colleges
    Private and Technical Schools
    Four-year university, teaching Industrial Technology programs