Students pursuing the M.S. SDIM program must complete a minimum of 33 credits of relevant work at the graduate level. These 33 credits must include either a 3-credit Graduate Qualifying Project or a 9-credit M.S. research thesis depending on the degree requirement option selected, in addition to the coursework requirements described below. These M.S. degree requirements are designed to provide a comprehensive yet flexible program to students who are pursuing an M.S. degree exclusively, as well as students who are pursuing combined B.S./M.S. degrees.
Students accepted into the program will be assigned an academic advisor. In consultation with the academic advisor, a student must prepare a Plan of Study outlining the selections that the student will make to satisfy the M.S. degree requirements from among the options offered. This Plan of Study must be submitted to the SDIM Program Review Board for approval no later than a student completes 9 credits.
I. Required Courses (21 credits)
Students in the M.S. SDIM program must take 7 required courses: three from the Social Science & Policy Studies Department and four from the Foisie School of Business as follows:
a) Social Science and Policy Studies Department:
b) School of Business:
II. Electives (3-9 credits)
Students must take coursework from the electives listed below in order to satisfy the remainder of the 33 credit program requirement. Those opting to pursue the research thesis option will take 3 credits of electives. Those pursuing GQP option will take 9 credits of electives.
While the required courses ensure that students have adequate coverage of essential SDIM knowledge and skills, the wide variety of electives listed below allows students to tailor their degree program to domains and technical areas of personal interest. Students are expected to select electives to produce a consistent program of study. Other courses beyond the pre-approved program electives listed below may be chosen as electives with prior approval by the SDIM Program Review Board. Independent study and directed research credits also require prior approval by the SDIM Program Review Board.
Relevant System Dynamics Graduate Courses:
III. Graduate Qualifying Project (3 credits)/Thesis (9 credits)
Students in the M.S. SDIM program must complete one of the following two options:
-
A 3-credit Graduate Qualifying Project (SDIM 598):
This project can be done in teams or individually, and will provide a capstone experience in applying system dynamics and innovation management skills to a real-world problem. It may be completed in cooperation with a sponsoring organization or industrial partner, and must be approved and overseen by a faculty member affiliated with the SDIM Program. Project advisor may be different from the academic advisor. -
A 9-credit Thesis (SDIM 599):
This option consists of an individual thesis research or development project. Exceptional students that wish to pursue a Ph.D. degree are encouraged to select this option. The thesis will be overseen by a committee of at least 3 faculty members chaired by a member affiliated with the SDIM program. The thesis proposal must be approved by the SDIM Program Review Board and the student’s thesis committee before the student can register for the research credits. Students must satisfactorily complete a written thesis and publicly present the results.