Director of degree programme: Assistant Professor Jens Schmidt
Degree: Master of Science (Technology), 120 ECTS
Abbreviation: IEM

• Major (45 ECTS)
• Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)
• Minor (20 ECTS)
• Elective studies (25 ECTS)

The Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management offers three majors:

• Operations and Service Management
• Organization Design and Leadership
• Strategy and Venturing.

The degree includes a technical minor, chosen from an appropriate field of engineering. Each of these elements are described in detail in this guide. 

The Master’s Degree programme in Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) educates engineers who are capable of developing and leading technology-based businesses with an entrepreneurial mindset. The programme equips students with a systemic, solution oriented engineering mindset. The distinctive feature of IEM at Aalto University is that it combines classical industrial engineering, which emphasizes understanding and developing operational processes and complex systems, with a focus on strategic and entrepreneurial leadership. During the program students develop an integrative understanding of technology and business, a combination of theoretical understanding and a pragmatic can-do attitude, analytical capabilities to solve complex real life problems using data, people skills to build and lead organizations, diverse knowledge and experience from startups to largest corporations, and a global orientation and ambition level.

Alumni of the programme have taken expert and leadership positions in a number of different types of companies, ranging from start-ups to large multinational companies, as well as public and non-profit organizations. They have co-founded a several startups (including some of the fastest-growing companies in Europe) and have been involved in and supported some of the major strategic decisions taken by a number of multinational companies. There is an active community of alumni that is closely involved with the current generation of students and actively participates in events jointly organized by alumni, students and faculty.

An expert in the field of industrial engineering and management needs to understand the engineering processes, the technical systems and the underlying technologies and to be able to apply this understanding within the context of technology-based businesses. The skills and in-depth knowledge acquired in the programme overall and the field of the chosen major in particular combined with technical expertise acquired in the minor enable graduates to understand, develop and lead technology-based businesses. Additionally, graduates must be able to follow and critically analyze the development as well as to independently conduct scientific research in the field of the chosen major and/or a field of engineering or technology.

The overall objectives and targeted learning outcomes of the programme are as follows:

• Provide students with an integrative understanding of technology and business which combines a strong theoretical foundation with applicable skills and a pragmatic can-do attitude to enable them to develop and lead technology-based businesses.
• Provide students with in-depth knowledge of the field of the major, which provides a particular perspective on developing and leading technology-based businesses.
• Provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to follow the scientific development within the field of the chosen major and/or minor as well as to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods independently, which also provide a solid basis for scientific postgraduate education.

The more detailed learning objectives concerning the field of major and minor are described separately for each major and minor as well as for each course that is part of the chosen major or minor.

The knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods independently are mainly acquired in the major studies. The research assignment and the master’s thesis have a central role in developing the knowledge and skills needed to engage in scientific postgraduate education.

Each student's major and minor are confirmed in the Personal Study Plan.

In order to support graduation in 2 years, it is important to recognize the critical path. Students are encouraged to choose their major before the 1st year starts. Thereby, the first autumn emphasizes the compulsory courses of the major enabling the research assignment already in the first spring (or the 2nd autumn). The research assignment is a prerequisite for starting the master’s thesis. Although the intensive work takes place in the 2nd spring, preparations for the master’s thesis should gradually start in the beginning of the second year. The choice and timing of the optional and integrative courses of the major should support the progress in the critical path.

During the 1st autumn, students should choose their minor (whether the choice is restricted of free). In the planning and scheduling of studies, students should take into consideration quotas, prerequisite knowledge and the suggested sequence for the courses in the minor. The sooner the choice of the minor is made; the more possibilities a student has to level the overall workload without delaying the graduation. Likewise, planning of a semester in a foreign university becomes easier.

The last element in making the personal study plan is choosing the electives. 

Professor in charge: Kari Tanskanen
Extent: 45 credits
Code: SCI3049

Operations and service management covers issues from operations strategy to efficient execution of operations that are at the core of successful technology-based businesses. Theserange from configuring appropriate resources and processes into a production system that best contributes the organization’s goals and competitive advantage to managing the production system in order to provide the best match with demand and supply. The major in operations and service management builds on the generic principles on operations management but emphasizes novel ways of encountering the challenges and utilizing the opportunities related to creating and transforming technology-based business.

Advanced production systems cross organizational borders and utilize external resource networks effectively in global scale. Business models have developed beyond the conventional manufacturing-focused forms into service systems and project or solution business. As technological, social or organisational innovations emerge, resources and processes in production systems should be vigorously re-configured for improved performance from customers’, network partners’ and society’s perspective. Sustainability, effectiveness and efficiency are all important elements of performance. Consequently, the major in operations and service management focuses on operations strategy, management of operations in inter-organizational systems, as well as the life-cycle management of production systems and their offerings to clients. Industrial service systems, project business framework, and integration of digital technologies into operations are central contextual themes.

Learning objectives and career paths

The students majoring in operations and service management attain comprehensive understanding of modern operations and service management practices and the underlying theories. The specific learning objectives are:

• Ability to plan and control operations in a multi-firm context
• Ability to configure and manage resources and processes in inter-organizational relationships
• Ability to analyse the performance of and the risks related to modern production systems through the relevant life cycle
• Ability to manage value in production systems according to the requirements of the dynamic business environments.

Operations Management is a wide field with a lot of diverse career paths. Operations manager is just one typical entry position, which may gradually lead to an executive role, such as COO (Chief operating officer), in a larger organization. Because managing operations means getting the right things done, it is excellent training for general management duties and it gives capabilities to run a new venture, as well. There are also several fields of specialization in operations management enabling diverse positions in a variety of organizations already in the beginning of the career. Furthermore, expert positions in consulting, research or educational organisations are possible.

Compulsory courses 25–27 credits:

Integrative courses in the field of the programme, 10 credits *: 

^{*) Consider pre-requisites and possible quotas when selecting integrative courses.
Note: Only one Research Assignment is allowed in the major!}

Optional courses 8–10 credits

Choose 8–10 credits from the list of optional courses. These courses are listed below thematically. Some courses overlap multiple themes and may appear more than once.

^{**) if this course has been completed for Bachelor's degree, it cannot be included in major studies.} 

Professor in charge: Marina Biniari
Extent: 45 credits
Code: SCI3094

The major in organization design and leadership focuses on issues of organizational design, motivation and leadership that are critical to the creation and transformation of technology-based businesses. The central question addressed is how companies can grow and prosper while at the same time preserving their adaptability, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset. The success of any organization depends on the potential of its people and its capabilities to maintain a purpose-driven organization. Therefore, to be able to renew themselves companies need to unleash and develop their human potential by enabling teams and individuals to self-organize (as opposed to just executing decisions made by top managers) and pursue collective action to seize entrepreneurial opportunities.

The major draws on theoretical perspectives from the social and behavioural sciences as well as from humanities to develop an understanding how teams and companies can build high-performing cultures, how they can motivate and lead their people, and how they can create, motivate, and lead change both in business and in society through various forms of organizing. It addresses topics such as motivation and human potential; organizational design and culture; change and development; knowledge and talent management; collaboration and social interaction; formation and management of agile teams; and agile and transformational leadership as critical success factors for creating and transforming technology-based organizations.

Learning objectives and career paths

Students majoring in organization design and leadership develop knowledge and skills about designing organizations and motivating individuals that are important in dealing with change and renewal, and they are able to apply these skills in the context of both early-stage startup and transformational business settings. The specific learning objectives are:

●    Ability to design and develop adaptive and creative organizations, which includes:

●    Organizing and leading change in organizational context

●    Enabling entrepreneurial behaviour within organization

●    Building an adaptive, ethical, and empowering organizational culture

●    Ability to activate the knowledge and talent embedded in the organization, which includes:

●    Motivating autonomous but pro-social behavior

●    Organizing teamwork, collaboration and work practices that foster collective action and change

●    Unleashing and developing inherent human potential

●    Designing processes to capture and utilize knowledge

A major in organization design and leadership provides knowledge, competences, and capabilities that enable entry and progression in a wide range of areas of expertise. Typical entry positions after graduation are in business development functions, consulting (in particular regarding change management), development of knowledge work practices, and functions that enable and support the development of human potential.  

Compulsory courses 25 credits:

Integrative courses in the field of the programme, 10 credits*:

^{*) Consider prerequisites and possible quotas when selecting integrative courses.
Note: Only one Research Assignment is allowed in the major!}

Optional courses

Choose 10 credits from this list of optional courses.

Optional courses of majors

These courses are listed below thematically. Some courses overlap multiple themes and may appear more than once.

^{**) if this course has been completed for Bachelor's degree, it cannot be included in major studies.}

Professor in charge: Timo Vuori
Extent: 45 credits
Code: SCI3050

The major in strategy and venturing focuses on topics related to the identification, formulation and implementation of courses of action that improve or sustain business performance and thus support the creation and transformation of technology-based businesses. Identifying proper courses of action requires the ability to analyze and synthesize a wide range of different pieces of information and to exercise judgment. Often such analysis is carried out by teams. To achieve their objectives the courses of action also need to be implemented and put into practice.

The major in strategy and venturing puts particular emphasis on the development of strong analytical and judgment skills. It exposes students to a wide range of critical business situations that call for analysis and the exercise of judgment and thereby develops a broad and holistic perspective on technology-based businesses. Topics include the evaluation of the strategic impact of new technologies; mergers and acquisitions; using analytics and data to solve complex real life problems; setting up and managing problem-solving in teams; formulating and leading change initiatives; and setting up, supporting and successfully leading corporate ventures.

Learning objectives and career paths

Students majoring in Strategy and Venturing will attain a comprehensive understanding and skills that enable them to conceive of proper courses of action and lead strategic initiatives that transform existing business and build new business. The specific learning objectives are:

• Ability to lead and organize strategy work to improve value creation
• Ability to analyze sources of competitive advantage in technology based-business
• Ability to build and renew technology-based business in new and established organizations

Majoring in Strategy and Venturing offers students many attractive career options. Common entry positions after graduation include strategy and business development functions in corporations, management consulting, investment banking, founders/CEOs in startups, positions in venture capital and private equity firms or other organizations building and transforming technology-based business. Later in their careers our graduates often work as CEOs, members of top management teams, and investors.

Compulsory courses 26 credits

Integrative courses in the field of the programme, 10 credits*: 

^{*) Consider prerequisites and possible quotas when selecting integrative courses.
Note: Only one Research Assignment is allowed in the major.}

Optional courses 9 credits

^{**) if this course has been completed for Bachelor's degree, it cannot be included in major studies.} 

The expertise of an industrial engineer is contingent on the understanding of opportunities provided and constraints imposed by technical systems. An expert in the field of industrial engineering and management needs to understand the engineering processes and systems in order to be able to create and transform technology-based business. This requires expertise in a selected field of engineering, so that a graduate from the programme has the knowledge and skills to follow and critically analyze development in this field. The foundation for this engineering knowledge is created in Bachelor's studies and refined at the Master's level.

To acquire appropriate level of knowledge in a technical discipline, the student can choose the minor from an appropriate field of engineering. The selection of the minor is regulated, and suitable options depend on the educational background of the student.

Students with Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management, and all other students with equivalent educational background: Students with BSc in IEM or equivalent studies are required to choose the minor of their master’s studies in a field of engineering that clearly differs from industrial engineering and management. The minor may be in a different field of engineering than the minor of their bachelor’s degree. The minor should be selected from the offering by Aalto schools of technology. However, the programme may disallow some minors because of overlap with industrial engineering and management. For the same reason, the programme may also restrict the choice of optional courses within a minor. 

The educational background is assessed during the admission process. Graduates from the Bachelor’s Programme in Science and Technology (Teknistieteellinen kandidaattiohjelma) majoring in industrial engineering and management follow these guidelines.

Students with a Bachelor’s degree with the major in a field of engineering that clearly differs from industrial engineering and management: The minor can be chosen freely. Again, the educational background is assessed during the admission process.

Students with a Bachelor’s degree in other fields: Students with bachelor’s degree in non-engineering fields such as natural sciences choose the minor of their master’s studies in a field of engineering that clearly differs from industrial engineering and management. The minor should be selected from the offering by Aalto schools of technology. However, the programme may disallow some minors because of overlap with industrial engineering and management. For the same reason, the programme may also restrict the choice of optional courses within a minor.

Any student may also include a second minor in the elective studies. The programme has no restrictions concerning the second minor.

In every case, the minor may be of master’s level or bachelor’s level. The minor is confirmed in the Personal Study Plan.

All minors at Aalto: Minors 2018-2020

Basically, minors provided by CHEM, ELEC, ENG or SCI (i.e.Aalto Schools of Technology) and designed only for the Master's level (Level equals "Master") are suitable. Exceptions are listed in this page. 

When your choice of minor is restricted, please note the following general principles:

• The objectives and content of the minor must be clearly from a field of technology other than IEM.
• Some minors contain courses that are offered by the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management (course code format being TU-9XXX) or the School of Business (99X99999). Replace these courses with other courses accepted in the minor. Examples of such cases include: 
  • SCI3077 Systems and Operations Research (the course MS-C2197= TU-A1150 is not allowed)
• The following Master's level minors do not fulfill the programme's intention of " a minor in a field of engineering that clearly differs from industrial engineering and management":
  • Code: CS.a BIZ40015 Creative Sustainability
  • Code: BIZ40006E (BIZ)/IDBM.a (ARTS) International Design Business Management
  • SCI3038 Multi-Disciplinary Energy Studies
  • ENG3074 Real Estate Economics
  • ENG3073 Human-Centered Living Environment
  • SCI3098 Human-Computer Interaction
  • SCI3072 USchool
  • ENG3067 ME310 Aalto-Global Innovation Program
  • SCI3073 Analytics and Data Science
  • SCI3086 Financial Engineering
  • SCI3090 Startup Minor.
  • Bachelor-level minors: ENG3065 Kiinteistötalous (Real Estate Economics), ENG3070 Vesi- ja ympäristötekniikka (Water and Environmental Engineering), CHEM3018 Luonnonvarojen kestävä jalostaminen (Sustainable processing of natural recourses),  ENG3047 Built Environment (Rakennettu ympäristö), SCI3030 Informaatioverkostot (Information Networks), and SCI3063 Tilastotiede (Statistics).
• Some minors may also contain courses that have strong business, societal, or varying content although they are offered by departements in the Schools of Technology. These types of courses must also be replaced with other courses in the minor. In ENG3060 Mechanical Engineering, a student can choose courses from several tracks (topic groups). The following restrictions concern this minor: 
  • The MEC-E1001 Mechanical Engineering in Society course offered as common studies or courses under the topic group "Societal perspectives in engineering" are not allowed in the minor.
  • Product Development track is only allowed with the following contents: 
    • MEC-E3001 Product Development Project 10-15 cr
    • MEC-E3002 Methods in Early Product Development 5 cr
    • MEC-E3003 System Engineering Design 5 cr

A minor designed for the bachelor’s level may be included in the master’s degree. Many of the bachelor-level minors are offered in Finnish, which may in practice limit the choices of foreign students. Problems may also arise if the student does not have sufficient prerequisite knowledge for a master-level minor, and the prerequisite course is offered in Finnish. To avoid these problems, the following minors are recommended:

• ENG3048 Computation and Modelling in Engineering
• SCI3096 Data Science

Students choose 25 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete a minor and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities. Students can also participate in an international student exchange programme or include 1–10 ECTS of work experience completed in Finland or abroad in elective studies.

For more information on internationalisation or Aalto University’s minor subjects:

• Minors 2018-2020
• Exchange studies https://into.aalto.fi/display/enopinnot/Exchange+studies

Compulsory language studies for students whose language of education is Finnish or Swedish are included as part of the bachelor’s degree. If the language studies have not been completed in the phase preceding master’s studies, they must be taken during the master’s degree studies. In this case, the student must take 2 ECTS in second national language and 3 ECTS in one foreign language (including both oral (o) and written (w) proficiency).

Students who have received their education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or received their education abroad are required to complete only 3 ECTS in one foreign language.

Students with excellent command of English (e.g. English as a first language) may apply for the exemption from the compulsory foreign language requirement and take 3 ECTS of Finnish courses instead. In this case, according to the Degree Regulations, the student has not demonstrated the requisite written and oral language requirement in a foreign language, which is reflected in the appendix of the degree certificate.

Application form:
Application for the exemption from the obligatory foreign language requirement

Language studies are included in students’ elective studies. 

Students are required to complete a master's thesis, which is a research assignment with a workload corresponding to 30 ECTS. The thesis is written on a topic related to the major, and is agreed upon with a professor who specializes in the topic of the thesis.

Professors of IEM are listed on the department’s website: http://tuta.aalto.fi/en/research/professors/.

Any alterations in supervision or topic area of the theses is at the discretion of the responsible professor of the major. The supervisor of the thesis must be a professor in the University, whereas the thesis advisor(s) can also be from a company or from another university. Thesis advisor(s) must have at least a master’s degree.

Master’s thesis work includes a seminar presentation or equivalent presentation. The student is also required to write a maturity essay related to the master’s thesis.

The master’s thesis is a public document. No part of the thesis can be undisclosed.

For more information about master's thesis process, please see: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/view.php?id=19277