What Is an Applied Manufacturing Degree?

By 2033, 3.8 million manufacturing jobs will likely be needed in the U.S., with 1.9 million of those expected to go unfilled if more people don’t enter the field, according to Deloitte.

With such promising job growth projections — in addition to the exciting technologies that are advancing the field — now may be an excellent time to earn an applied manufacturing degree.

We sat down with Gus Gomez and Toney Ferguson, faculty members in the School of Business and Information Technology at Purdue Global, to learn what an applied manufacturing degree is and how it prepares students to be leaders in Industry 4.0.

What Does an Applied Manufacturing Degree Prepare You For?

An applied manufacturing degree program focuses on running, improving, and supporting manufacturing systems. The term “applied” refers to hands-on skills and real-world applications, as opposed to theory alone.

“This degree focuses on improving factory performance, managing production, reducing waste and defects, and leading operations teams,” Ferguson says. “The introduction of AI and robotics into many operational workflows will mark a paradigm shift in manufacturing processes.”

What Do You Learn in This Degree Program?

Students in an applied manufacturing program learn about robotics, AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, as well as how to address real-world management challenges related to people, processes, materials, supply chains, sustainability, and more.

“This degree program incorporates a deep understanding of robotics and automation in several forms,” Gomez says. “A liquid-filling manufacturing operation, for example, may not use robotics, but automation becomes critical. Conversely, robotics and AI become inherently prevalent in warehousing and in automotive and aerospace manufacturing.”

Students in this degree program will gain knowledge of and implement the fundamental elements of manufacturing processes. “Integrating these technologies with general business concepts and applications helps explain how productivity and efficiency affect the organization's profitability,” says Gomez.

Here’s a sample of typical courses in a bachelor’s program for applied manufacturing:

• Computer-aided design fundamentals
• Corporate sustainability and social responsibility
• Emerging technologies
• Global supply chain management
• Workplace safety
• Manufacturing automation
• Operations management
• Project management

Solving for Soft Skills

Many manufacturing professionals have strong technical skills but lack the necessary soft skills to excel in a leadership role.

“Several large companies have internship programs recognizing top talent working on the manufacturing floor, but there is no formal process to guide these individuals,” Ferguson says.

“The applied manufacturing degree helps solve this problem by equipping these individuals with several college-level courses to strengthen their communication skills, along with advanced math and science courses to strengthen their analytical skills,” he says.

>>Related Reading: The Value of Soft Skills in Modern Manufacturing

Who Is a Good Fit for the BS in Applied Manufacturing?

The ideal candidate for the applied manufacturing degree program is a person with leadership aspirations working in a production or manufacturing environment.

Gomez breaks it down one level further.

“A good fit — perhaps the only fit — is an open-minded person with ample time to address the challenges this hands-on degree will present,” Gomez says. “This degree requires a heavy dose of critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse groups.”

How Is an Applied Manufacturing Degree Different From a Traditional Manufacturing Degree?

Traditional manufacturing degrees focus more on theoretical concepts and mathematics rather than on real-world processes and technologies.

“An applied manufacturing degree requires a hands-on technical approach to solving manufacturing problems and improving processes,” Ferguson says. “The degree program at Purdue Global provides a solid understanding of manufacturing improvement processes, and it also enables the development and implementation of realistic solutions.”

Graduates from Purdue Global’s applied manufacturing degree program can identify potential problems, analyze their causes, and generate solutions using technological tools.

Smart Factories and the Future of Manufacturing

Artificial intelligence has transformed the manufacturing landscape, and companies are continually seeking new ideas and innovations to set them apart from the competition. “A person with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Manufacturing will be well suited to lead this effort,” Gomez says. “The degree demonstrates how market demand has driven modernization efforts to meet growing product requirements.”

“There will be individuals with the applied manufacturing degree working in a smart manufacturing environment where they will be responsible for data-driven production using automation, AI, IoT, and robots to create products,” says Ferguson. “Smart factories are the future of manufacturing.”

Many companies are tasked with producing products of higher quality at lower cost. “The robotic brain was a limitation in manufacturing, but with AI, robots can be trained to handle more complex tasks by learning from each mistake,” Ferguson says. “It does not require a new set of algorithms for each task; robots can learn through reinforcement learning with AI, thereby automating tasks that were considered impossible five years ago.”

Career Opportunities With a BS in Applied Manufacturing Degree

Graduates with a bachelor’s in applied manufacturing are prepared for the following roles:

• Facilities manager. This professional plans and directs the operations and functions of facilities and buildings, which may include the surrounding grounds and/or multiple facilities on an organization's campus.
• Industrial production manager. This role oversees the operations of manufacturing and related plants. They plan and direct activities related to creating a range of goods, such as cars, computer equipment, and paper products.
• First-line supervisor of production and operating workers. This is the direct supervisor of operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.

Acquiring a leadership role is not required for individuals pursuing an applied manufacturing degree, as leading a manufacturing team or being a highly skilled individual contributor can offer a rewarding career.

“There are several career paths a person with an applied manufacturing degree can take, such as managing a multimillion-dollar manufacturing facility or serving as a regional district operations manager for a medium- to large-sized organization,” Ferguson says. “Some individuals may want to be highly skilled individual contributors recognized for their expertise in manufacturing processes, such as AI or robotic automation.”

As sustainability becomes increasingly important in manufacturing and design, this specialty may offer a competitive edge in the marketplace. “Sustainable manufacturing focuses on reducing environmental impact, conserving energy and natural resources, and ensuring safety for employees, communities, and consumers throughout a product’s life cycle,” Gomez says.

Learn More About the Online BS in Applied Manufacturing at Purdue Global

Are you ready to learn more about the online bachelor's degree in applied manufacturing at Purdue Global? Set yourself up to get ahead in your career. Our online format is specifically designed for working adults, and courses are taught by faculty with decades of real-world experience.

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