Supervisory and management positions in scientific and engineering organizations are usually awarded to staff members who have earned the respect of management and coworkers by excelling in their areas of technical expertise. They then act as “lead scientists” or “lead engineers,” directing the work of other scientists or engineers. Although they have proved that they have good judgment in strictly technical matters, nothing in their past education and little in their work experience has prepared them for supervisory and management responsibilities.

The overall objective of this program is to prepare individuals trained and experienced in science or engineering in the elements of leading technical projects and organizing and supervising technical personnel. The program is organized along five concentrations: Project Management—the organization and direction of specific technical projects; Organization Management—the organization and leading of people to accomplish technical objectives; and Project/Organization Management—a combination of the previous two.  A concentration in Technical Innovation Management addresses the personal and organizational management of innovation and the development of new technical ventures.  The newly offered concentration in Quality Management will focus on preparing technical leaders to manage programs to high-quality standards like ISO9001, AS9100 and CMMI.  The concentration will offer an introductory course as well as advanced courses focuses on the quality aspects of technical programs and software engineering.