Program Philosophy and Objectives

The combination of management concepts and technical skills presented in the MEM Program allows engineers to acquire the managerial skills necessary to advance in today’s technologically driven organizations, in either the service or manufacturing sector. Emphasizing the continuity of management and engineering related efforts from planning through development, operations and controlling, and stressing the application of management and system theory and techniques to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization, is one key issue facing many organizations. Based on these realities the Program stresses the importance of using practices of project and program management, management information systems, organizational behavior, and system operations. It is amply confirmed that the MEM Program is well designed to develop future industry leaders by combining a core management curriculum with a master’s level education. The goals of the Program are:

• To help students understand the management dimension, and advantages in technological driven organizations.
• To gain experience using management methods of a quantitative nature to design and efficiently operate today’s technically involved business systems.
• To demonstrate an understanding of management and organizational theory and the principles of organized labor as they apply to the efficient and effective operation of the organization.
• To develop skills and competencies related to a broad range of management functions, allowing the student to work in fields of management, in organizations of varying size, requiring strategic planning, technical knowledge, development skills, and general operational knowledge of management.

General Admission Requirements and Procedures 

Admission Requirements    

The MEM program is subject to the general admission requirements of the PUPR Orlando Campus. The admission requirements specific to the MEM program are as follows:

• Complete an application for admission. All applicants must have obtained a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.50/4.00
• Possess an undergraduate degree in Engineering or Architecture from an accredited college or university.
• Submit an official transcript from the college or university that conferred the bachelor’s degree. Transcript(s) should be sent directly from the institution(s) to Polytechnic University.
• Pay fifty dollars ($60.00) nonrefundable application fee. The application fee will not be applicable towards the student’s registration charges. Fee is valid for two consecutive quarters.

Graduation Requirements

The MEM degree requires a minimum of 39 credit-hours of graduate course work with a minimum grade point average of

3.00. No thesis is required.

Degree Offered

The program offers graduate instruction leading to the Master of Engineering Management Degree. The emphasis areas are:

• Construction Management

Provides managerial knowledge essential in the utilization of different and available information systems in managing construction projects from their initial design, cost estimates, labor organization, contracts, and construction management.  Real situations are emphasized.  The contractor is visualized as a manager who has to administer each phase of the project.

• Environmental Management

Provides managerial knowledge that will enable engineers to administer and take charge of, and control projects and processes to minimize environmental pollution.  Federal and state laws that regulate the handling, disposal, treatment of contaminants and environmental protection will be stressed.  Awareness will be created in the student about environmental problems in Puerto Rico and engineering methods and processes required to minimize and decrease environmental pollution.

• Manufacturing Management

Provides managerial knowledge required to administer the design, implementation, operation, maintenance, and quality control in the complex technical processes of manufacturing.  A substantial number of courses in this specialization are geared toward quality control and modern productivity techniques. 

• Project Management

Provides the managerial knowledge critical for any engineer to carry out planning, organization, and improving processes to reach successful results in a project. Nowadays, Project Management is essential for professionals in multiple disciplines like healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and services. The professionals in this discipline develop excellent communication, time management, problem-solving, and leadership skills. In addition, they learn technical aptitudes related to engineering.  The project management courses discuss and cover the project phases of initiation, implementation, and termination.  Students will also have the opportunity to learn about risk management, procurement, and solicitation.

• General Engineering Management – (The student selects any of the three emphasis courses from the abovementioned areas.)

Career Opportunities

The complete experience is stimulating and offers outstanding career opportunities. The graduates from this program will be adequately qualified to perform effectively as managers of technological or scientific enterprises. The Program has been particularly structured to fit the needs of engineers in Puerto Rico and USA. Also, through its areas of emphasis, it provides an opportunity to hold leadership positions in managing business firms in Manufacturing, Public and Service Enterprises, Construction and Environmental Management.

Master in Engineering Management (MEM) Emphasis Areas

Construction Management – Minimum Graduation Requirements

18     Credit-Hours in Management Core Courses

12     Credit-Hours in MEM Core Courses

  9     Credit-Hours MEM Emphasis Area

39    Total Credit-Hours

Environmental Management – Minimum Graduation Requirements

18      Credit-Hours in Management Core Courses

12      Credit-Hours in MEM Core Courses

  9      Credit-Hours MEM Emphasis Area

39    Total Credit-Hours

Manufacturing Management – Minimum Graduation Requirements

18      Credit-Hours in Management Core Courses

12      Credit-Hours in MEM Core Courses

9        Credit-Hours MEM Emphasis Area

39      Total Credit-Hours

Project Management – Minimum Graduation Requirements

18      Credit-Hours in Management Core Courses

12      Credit-Hours in MEM Core Courses

9        Credit-Hours MEM Emphasis Area

39      Total Credit-Hours

General Engineering Management – Minimum Graduation Requirements

18      Credit-Hours in Management Core Courses

12      Credit-Hours in MEM Core Courses

9        Credit-Hours MEM Emphasis Area

39      Total Credit-Hours

Master in Engineering Management Curriculum

Management Core Courses
(18 Credit-Hours)

MEM Core Courses
(12 Credit-Hours)

Master in Engineering Management
Emphasis Areas

Construction Management
(9 Credit-Hours)

Environmental Management
(9 Credit-Hours)

General Engineering Management
(9 Credit-Hours)
Any three courses from any MEM emphasis areas

Manufacturing Management
(9 Credit-Hours)

Project Management

Course Descriptions

Management Core Courses

MGM 5500 – Managerial Accounting                           

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This is a graduate course where the accounting principles and techniques for making decisions are taught. The role of decision criteria based on General Accepted Accounting Principles and others is explained in detail. Therefore, this course provides the essential information that the manager or businessman needs to have control of the firm in order to obtain his objectives effectively and efficiently.

MGM 5700 – Probability and Statistical Methods   

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This is a graduate course in relevant business statistics emphasizing applications specific to engineering disciplines. In this course various probability and statistical methods to sample, measure of dispersion and skewness, probability distributions are studied. Also testing hypothesis and making decisions, analysis of variance, chi-square analysis and linear regression and correlation are examined. Advanced topics such as nonlinear regression, multivariable analysis, time series analysis and exploratory data analysis are introduced. Case studies of quality control and engineering decisions are assigned and discussed.

MGM 6070 – Human Resources Management             

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

Psychology concepts and corresponding methodology to manage human resources in scientific and technical enterprises. Techniques for hiring, benefits, incentives, promotion, retention, development, replacement of personnel, and creativity, among others are discussed emphasizing the human dimension. Techniques to solve complaints, insubordination, and violations of regulations are introduced.

MGM 6560 – Management of Information Systems

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

Information systems that provide support for management in areas such as finance, manufacturing, cost estimation, and marketing. Introduction to analysis of data flow diagrams, databases, and data communication are introduced.

MGM 6620 – Managerial FINANCES

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: MGM 5500

Financial concepts encountered in engineering. Situations are introduced based on the fact that they are an integral part of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling activities. The financial cycle budgeting, accounting, controlling, and auditing is discussed.

MGM 6690 – Decision Making Techniques                    

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week.  Prerequisite: MGM 5700

This is a graduate course where the scientific management methods for making decisions and solving administrative problems are taught. The role of decision criteria and subjective factors, Bayesian analysis, advanced decision-making methods, linear programming, and analysis of alternatives are discussed. Also, the value of reliable and representative information, utilization of statistical information, strategic analysis and projections, forecasting, PERT, CPM and other management techniques to solve problems are introduced.

General Engineering Management Courses

Student selects any three courses from MEM emphasis areas.

Construction Management Courses

MEM 6170 – COST ESTIMATION AND CONTRACTING         

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None 

This course takes the engineer to cover in depth the fundamental principles that govern public enterprises such as government departments, public instrumentalities, state, and municipal government, etc. Probability and decision theory in cost- effectiveness studies, profit and risk analysis are also covered.

MEM 6410  ̶  CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT                    

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None  

The management of construction is at one time an art and a science. Both have to deal with planning, scheduling, controlling, and following different activities of great diversity such as cost estimating, scheduling, contracting, insuring, accounting, labor relations, etc. At times, the manager must use highly quantitative methods while at other times the intuitive or empirical approach is all what is available. Therefore, construction and maintenance managers must be masters of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative subjects. Consequently, he must possess a very high level of competency in a large number of areas. This course is designed to help students gain a perspective regarding the construction industry and some cross-sectional understanding of the things to be mastered if they wish to be successful as construction managers.

MEM 6710  ̶  PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY

Three credit-hours.  Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This course permits the engineer to imbue in the law and codes professional ethics that govern public enterprises such as government departments, public instrumentalities, state and municipal governments and professional ethics.

MEM 6820  ̶  Business and Construction Law

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

Concepts of business and construction law in general are covered. This course is designed to provide students with the professional skills of understanding the clauses and applications of commercial law emphasizing construction litigation.

Environmental Management Courses

MEM 6910  ̶  AIR QUALITY

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This course will be covering several topics regarding the air quality and pollution control.  Some of the topics that will be studied in this course are as follows:  Indoor Air, The Atmosphere, Ozone Depleting Substances (Montreal Protocol), Aldrin Inhalation Toxicity Weight (TRI), Banned or Severely Restricted Pesticides (USEPA), Explanation of Criteria, Air Pollutant: Rank States, Particulate Size 10 microns Pollution Locator:  Criteria Air Pollutants, Lead, Particulate Size 2.5 Microns, Respiratory Toxicity Health Effects, Greenhouse Gases, (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change), EPA’S National Ambient Air Quality Standards, The Standard Review and Re-evaluation Process, Introduction to Air-Pollution Control, Air Pollution Effect, and Environmental Preservation.

MEM 6915  ̶  WATER QUALITY

Three credit-hours.  Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This course exposes the student to different methods of water purification for commercial and industrial use, wastewater treatment and disposal, and topics associated with water quality.

MEM 6940  ̶   INTRODUCTION TO POLLUTION CONTROL OF EARTH SYSTEMS

Three credit-hours.  Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

The course presents the concept of the earth as an integrated system, where human activity, based on the use of natural resources for material development, generates impacts on the environment, interfering with ecology, and creating scenarios that present challenges related to human health and a balanced environmental.

Manufacturing Management Courses

MEM 6420  ̶  Maintenance Management                      

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This course is designed to help students gain a perspective regarding the maintenance of buildings and industries and some cross-sectional understanding of managers. New administrative and management tools and methodology specific to maintenance activities are covered. Students will learn how to manage the resources: money, machines, materials, and personnel that are basic to realize effective maintenance.

MEM 6610  ̶  Productivity Management                      

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This course moves the engineer through the different approaches to Total Quality Management. Total Quality Management is a system to effectively achieve institutional goals with the active participation of all the employees, clients, and suppliers. Through the course traditional management for productivity techniques, TQM, Crosby, Juran and Deming philosophies are discussed. The concepts of quality cycles, changes in institutional culture, zero defects, corrective action, productivity measurements, error cause removal, Pareto Principle, etc., are discussed.

MBA 6830  ̶  Operations Management                          

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None.                                                           

This is a graduate course in manufacturing techniques. In this course, the student will acquire deep knowledge of the tools, techniques and types of manufacturing processes and management of the production planning, schedule, and operation. Topics such as Production and Inventory Control, just-in-time, total quality control, statistical process control, waste analysis, work measurement and world class Manufacturing will be discussed. Also cover manufacturing systems such as factory layout, machine center, robotics, sensing, manufacturing cells and automated factories will be included.

MEM Core Courses

MEM 5600  ̶  Engineering Economic Analysis             

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This is a graduate course in engineering analysis emphasizing the planning and control of engineering economics including manufacturing costs. In this course project cost evaluation including interest rates and continuous compounding, present worth and capitalized cost, is discussed. Methodology to determine rate-of-return for various alternatives, benefit/cost ratio evaluation, replacement analysis and others are described. The preparation of cash-flow diagrams and introduction to cost estimation are studied. Determination of break-even values, sensitivity analysis and decision trees and introduction to value engineering techniques is included.

MEM 6110  ̶  ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT I                      

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

In depth discussion of the elements of modern management and business practices is conducted. This course is designed to provide student without specialized business training to understand the principles used by professionally trained managers to guide the typical industrial and business enterprise.

MEM 6120  ̶  Engineering Management II                     

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: MEM 6110

This course enables students to deepen the understanding of fundamental concepts and principles of general management emphasizing their application in technological and scientific organizations in industry and government. For the purpose of the study of management, one needs to perceive all major functions in some coherent framework. Such a framework is provided by breaking down the totality of the management process into its four major components: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. In this course, the student will explore the concepts that provide the foundations for these four managerial functions.

MEM 6200  ̶  Engineering Management Project

Three credit-hours. Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: MEM 6120

This is a project course that provides the opportunity to apply concepts and methods previously studied to the solution of problems in engineering management. Students will work individually on problems proposed by the student and approved by the professor.

Project Management Courses

PJM 6500 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT: INITIATION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND TERMINATION

Three credit-hours.  Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This course introduces project management fundamentals and principles from the perspective of a manager, who must organize, plan, implement and control non-routine activities to achieve schedule, budget, and performance objectives. Topics include project selection, organization and charters, planning, conflict and negotiation, budgeting, cost estimation, scheduling, monitoring, controlling, auditing, and termination.

PJM 6600 – PROJECT RISK MANAGEMENT

Three credit-hours.  Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This course addresses the important elements of risk management. The coursework also explores the risk management processes outlined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide. Topics include risk management planning, risk identification, risk analysis, development of appropriate responses, and risk monitoring and control.

PJM 6800 – PROJECT PROCUREMENT AND SOLICITATION

Three credit-hours.  Two two-hour lecture periods per week. Prerequisite: None

This course presents the major processes through which goods and services are acquired in the project management environment. Topics include planning, solicitation, source selection, contract administration, and contract closeout.