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Director of the degree programme: Jens Schmidt

The Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management is a unique combination of engineering, business and leadership studies. The recent growth in the importance of digital technologies and the on-going digitalisation of companies and society make the skills that our graduates have even more valuable. In particular, the ability to understand and integrate technology and engineering on the one hand, and business and management on the other hand is becoming increasingly critical.

Upon graduating from the Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management, graduates will have:

• An integrative and holistic understanding of technology, business and people. Graduates understand engineering processes, technical systems, social dynamics of organizing and underlying technologies and how they are connected to value creation and building competitive advantage in a sustainable way.
• Influential leadership and people skills. Graduates are equipped to lead and develop organizations where people are engaged and thriving, and ecologically and socially sustainable work and value creation. They have built strong collaborative capacity and skills to contribute in diverse social cotexts in a constructive way.
• Practical problem-solving and strong analytical skills. Graduates possess applicable practical skills to solve and facilitate solving of complex business problems, and are skilled in data crunching, building statistical models, and applying the data criticly and responsibly to solve problems and create business value.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and a can-do attitude. Graduates are able to identify and act upon innovative opportunities, drive change, and they are confident and willing to face challenges and tackle new tasks with determination.  
• Broad knowledge of various organisations and ways of organizing. Graduates are able to apply their learnings to a wide scale of technology-based businesses from early-stage startups to large multinational corporations.
• Hands-on experience. Graduates have practical experience in putting the theories into action within real life organizations utilizing data and technology as their primary resources.
• Knowledge and skills needed to follow and articulate 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.
• Ethical and value-based thinking and action. The graduates have built a strong motivation, conviction and capacity to contribute to socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable businesses, society, and world. They have committed to continuous learning as professionals.

Students must choose a major from one of the following four options. The major consists of three core courses that are common for all students. In addition, there are three major-specific courses and a research assignment which includes doing a scientific study on a topic related to the chosen major. The master's thesis is also typically done on a topic related to the chosen major.

Operations Management

The major in Operations Management covers issues from operations strategy to efficient execution of operations that are at the core of successful technology-based businesses. These range 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 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 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.

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.

Organisation Design and Leadership
 

The major in Organisation 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.

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 or transformation functions, consulting (in particular regarding change management), design and management of knowledge work practices, and functions that enable and support the development and organizing of value co-creation.

Product and Innovation Management


 

The major in Product and Innovation Management approaches the renewal and transformation of business from the perspectives of new products, operations and technologies. The major addresses the questions of how new technologies and innovations are channeled into new products, how innovative operations management can be used to design existing operations to support and execute new products and innovation, and how the product management can be used to orchestrate the development of businesses, especially in new ventures and during rapid growth.

The development of technology creates opportunities for new innovations and products. Especially increasing role of software and data has altered the technological environment of businesses, requiring greater anticipation of future development. The rise of technology platforms and ecosystems has transformed the ways companies must organize. This development has challenged the traditional ways of organizing by pushing the two fields - operations and product development – closer together. In software-driven companies, an engineering team is simultaneously both the unit of production and the unit of development. This has heightened the importance of centering the organizations around product management and integrating innovations into operations.

The major in Product and Innovation Management provides knowledge and competences that offer students diverse career options. The approach of the major is conceptual but leans towards implementation. The topics of the major become relevant when they are not only thought through but also enacted and implemented. Consequently, the major is targeted especially to those with an interest in exploring opportunities in roles that are close to technology, products, operations and seeking a career trajectory towards Head of Product- or CTO-positions. Such roles can be found in startups, scale-ups and equivalent parts of larger organizations.

Strategy

 

The major in Strategy focuses on topics related to the identification, formulation and implementation of courses of action that improve or sustain business performance. The emphasis of the major is on business strategy: how to support the creation, growth, and transformation of a business. In particular, the teaching focuses on technology-based businesses, ventures, and digital strategizing.

Formulating a strategy requires the ability to analyze and synthesize a wide range of information. Often such analysis is carried out by teams. The major in strategy 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.

To achieve strategic objectives the courses of action also need to be implemented and put into practice. For this reason, the major in strategy combines both strong theoretical and practical perspectives.

Topics covered include, for example: 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.

Further, to help address the grand societal challenges, such as climate change, the courses in the strategy major include content for addressing systemic problems, transforming existing business, and utilizing technological solutions for a more sustainable future.

Majoring in Strategy 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.

 

Code: SCI3108

Scope: 45 ECTS

Professor in charge: Lauri Saarinen

Learning outcomes

Students majoring in Operations management thoroughly understand current operations management practices and the underlying theories and concepts. The specific learning objectives are: 

1. Operations management graduates learn to analyze and apply the core operations management concepts and tools to develop operations strategies, conduct process analysis, master supply networks, and manage project-based operations. 

2. OM students understand the role of technology in operations management and learn how data can be used to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. 

3. OM students learn to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze complex operational problems and develop viable solutions in various projects. 

4. OM students develop essential leadership skills to effectively lead teams to scale up operations and achieve the organization's operational goals. 

5. OM students develop practical communication skills to communicate successfully with diverse stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and employees. 

6. OM graduates gain a systemic viewpoint of sustainability and learn to incorporate sustainable practices into inter-organizational operations.  

7. OM graduates understand the challenges and opportunities of global operations management to manage international operations effectively.
 

*TU-E0100 Research Assignment is a prerequisite for starting the master's thesis

** Some optional courses may have limited seats.

Code: SCI3094

Scope: 45 ECTS

Professor in charge: Jari Ylitalo

Learning outcomes

Students majoring in Organisation Design and Leadership develop knowledge and skills about leading people, designing organizations, and driving  organizational development, transformation and renewal, and they are able to apply these skills in the context of from early-stage startups to firmly established organizations in various branches. The specific learning objectives are:
 

• Ability to lead people, teams, and collaboration in different organizational systems and contexts
  • Organizing and being engaged in teamwork, collaboration and work practices that foster collective action and change
  • Understanding core dynamics of human side of value co-creation in technology-based business
  • Becoming a critically reflective agent of change
• Ability to design and develop adaptive and creative team- work, collaboration, and organizing, which includes:
  • Organizing and leading change in various organizational context
  • Enabling entrepreneurial and innovative behaviour within organization
  • Building socially sustainable, ethical, and empowering organizational culture.
• Ability to drive fundamental transformation and continuous development in a sustainable way taking into account the needs of different stakeholders, which includes:
  • Being able to critically analyze development needs of organizations from multiple perspectives
  • Planning, facilitating, and implementing organizational transformation processes as a change agent
     

*TU-E0100 Research Assignment in a prerequisite for starting the master's thesis

** Some optional courses have limited seats.

Code: SCI3116

Scope: 45 ECTS

Professor in charge: Mikko Jääskeläinen

The major covers the scope of modern, technology-driven organization from technology strategy, to operationalized innovations, and to product-centric organizations. The students majoring in product and innovation management gain a comprehensive understanding of modern technology, innovation, and product management practices and the underlying theories. The specific learning objectives are:

• Understanding contemporary concepts, theories, and tools in product management, supported by concepts of technology, innovation, and organization design.
• Ability to create, evaluate and analyse technology, innovation and product strategies
• Ability to identify operational and organizational constraints in current operations and to design solutions using emerging technologies to address those constraints
   

*TU-E0100 Research Assignment in a prerequisite for starting the master's thesis

** Some optional courses have limited seats.

*** If not inlucded in major core courses.

Code: SCI3109

Scope: 45 ECTS

Professor in charge: Kimmo Karhu

Learning outcomes

Students majoring in Strategy 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 and foster growth in a sustainable manner
• Ability to analyze sources of competitive advantage in technology based-business
• Ability to build and renew business in the face of systemic changes, e.g., green transition
   

*TU-E0100 Research Assignment is a prerequisite for starting the master's thesis

**Some optional courses have limited seats.

Master of Science in IEM is a degree in the field of engineering, and it differs from degrees in, for example, business, economics, or other social sciences even though such degrees may include overlapping elements. The educational profile of the IEM degree corresponds to the internationally understood degrees in the field of industrial engineering and management.

The minor has a significant role in the curriculum as it extends and deepens students’ engineering competence. Students completing both our bachelor’s and master’s programmes achieve the targeted level through strong science fundamentals in mathematics, natural sciences, and computer science, followed by a minor in a field of engineering that clearly differs from IEM, in the bachelor’s programme as well as in the master’s programme. Students completing only our master’s programme should have attained corresponding engineering competence level when they graduate.

Therefore, the main principle is that students’ choice of minor is restricted. Generally, only minors provided by Aalto Schools of Technology (i.e., CHEM, ELEC, ENG, or SCI) and designed only for the master's level are suitable.  However, there are exceptions. The restrictions are clarified under Planning your studies -page 

The choice of minor is free only in cases, where a student’s bachelor’s degree already clearly attains the targeted engineering competence. Each student’s prior studies are first assessed during the admission process, and eventually, the choice of minor is confirmed in the Personal Study Plan (HOPS). 
 

Students choose 25 ECTS of elective studies.  As elective studies, students can

• select additional courses from the major
• select individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University
• select a second minor, (if it fits into your degree)
• select individual courses form other Finnish Universities
• participate in an international student exchange programme /en/other-studies/exchange-studies
• .
  • please note that if you include course JOIN-A0003 Contributing in Community (3 cr) in your degree, only 7 credits of practical training is accepted in the degree.

Elective studies must be university level studies that fulfill the degree requirements and, in general, studies that are offered as degree studies at the university in question. Universities also offer courses that are targeted for a larger audience. The suitability of these studies is evaluated taking into consideration the learning outcomes of the degree that the courses are planned to be included in. All studies planned to be taken at another Finnish University or abroad should be approved in the personal study plan before taking the courses.

Elective studies may not overlap with student's other studies. For this reason, the programme may restrict the choices in elective studies.

If you have compulsory language studies in your master's degree, they are included in the elective studies. 

• If you have completed your bachelor's degree in Finland (in Aalto or in another higher education institute), you have fulfilled the compulsory language requirements in the respective degree or received the exemption. You do not need to complete language studies in the master's degree.
• If your language of education is Finnish or Swedish and you have completed your bachelor’s degree outside of Finland, you must
  • demonstrate proficiency in national languages by writing the maturity test in your language of education (Finnish or Swedish) and complete the language proficiency tests (2 ECTS) in the other national language. Read more about the language of education here. You may also apply for an exemption of demonstrating proficiency in national languages.
  • complete 3 ECTS in one foreign language (including both oral (o) and written (w) proficiency).

• If you have completed your bachelor’s degree outside of Finland, you are required to complete only 3 ECTS in one foreign language (including both oral (o) and written (w) proficiency). Students, whose language of education is not Finnish or Swedish, may alternatively complete an elementary course in Finnish or in Swedish (3 ECTS). The courses in national languages can be at any level on CEFR scale.
   

  Language studies are included in students’ elective studies and are agreed in the personal study plan (HOPS). Language center offers the language 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.

For more information about master's thesis process, please see