The major in industrial engineering requires a strong foundation of courses in engineering science, mathematics, design, manufacturing, social science, and humanities. Advanced work includes specialty courses in human factors and ergonomics, management, information systems, manufacturing, quality control, and operations research. Design is an integral part of the undergraduate program; all students complete a comprehensive design experience.
The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers a host of options for each engineering student. From the undergraduate engineering degree, a dual Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) degree, focus areas, and extracurricular activities, there are many options available to explore and develop professional skills. The industrial and systems engineering undergraduate program emphasizes a broad education in engineering fundamentals and the opportunity for in-depth learning in a focus area.
Focus Areas and Specialized Opportunities
As part of the mission to help students be engineers and something more, the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers a variety of focus area options so that students can pursue specialized interests. Industrial engineering focus areas include big data analytics, computer and information systems, design and manufacturing, entrepreneurship, human factors and ergonomics, management, and an option to tailor a focus area to an individual student's interests.
Big Data Analytics
Big data analytics is the process of examining big data in an effort to uncover hidden patterns, unknown correlations, and other useful information—95% of the data in the world today has been created in the last two years alone. This data comes from everywhere: sensors used to gather climate information, posts to social media sites, digital pictures and videos, purchase transaction records, and cell phone GPS signals to name a few.
Computer and Information Systems
Industrial engineers have a natural role to play in this field by using quantitative system analysis, manufacturing system knowledge, and human factors skills to help design and refine computer systems that are becoming ever more complex. The field offers substantial opportunities for technical skill development, travel, and interaction with a diverse range of professionals.
Design and Manufacturing
Many graduates find careers in manufacturing industries that include the use of computer-aided design and manufacturing, virtual and physical prototyping, 3D design, design and simulation of manufacturing processes, and manufacturing systems. They find employment in diverse industries, including the supplier manufacturing industry (e.g., John Deere, Caterpillar, Rockwell Collins, Raytheon, Boeing), health care (e.g., Johnson & Johnson, Zimmer), software, and the information industry (e.g., Pro/Engineer, CATIA, SolidWorks, AutoCAD).
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship allows engineering students to explore venture capital, marketability of products, and technology transfer. They gain exposure to understanding sound business practice, acquire team-building skills in both small and large companies, understand the entrepreneurial approach to acquiring and managing resources, learn how to create a business plan, and obtain valuable contacts and networking opportunities with businesses and industries.
Human Factors and Ergonomics
The human factors and ergonomics focus area represents an increasingly important engineering specialty. The dramatic increase in netcentric computer technology makes system performance increasingly dependent on the match between system characteristics and human capabilities. Graduates find employment in diverse industries that include health care (e.g., GE, Medtronics, Guidant), original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and supplier manufacturing industry (e.g., Rockwell Collins, Boeing, John Deere, Caterpillar), computer systems (e.g., Microsoft, Intel, IBM), the government (e.g., NHTSA, NTSB, NASA, the Department of Defense), and consulting (e.g., Accenture, Battelle). Human factors considers cognitive characteristics, and ergonomics considers physical characteristics. This focus area provides advanced education in psychology, systems, statistics, and biomechanics.
Management
Industrial engineers are often assigned managerial tasks, project management, and financial assessments as they relate to project budgets, cost calculations, and optimization criteria. This focus area prepares students for a career in business management.
Tailored
Students work with an advisor to tailor a program that is specific to their individual needs. For more information about guidelines for tailored focus areas, see EFAs and Specialized Opportunities on the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering website.
Student Organizations
Student organizations can have an enormous impact on an undergraduate student's career. The College of Engineering is home to a number of student organizations and clubs. Popular organizations for industrial and systems engineering students include the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES).
Undergraduate Resources
Undergraduate resources are available to students to pursue research, access professional services available in the college and across the university, and participate in or view sports and arts events on campus and around town.
Scholarships
A variety of engineering scholarships and funding opportunities are available to industrial and systems engineering students.
Accreditation
The undergraduate program in industrial engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Educational Objectives
The following educational objectives of the program are defined in conjunction with the accreditation process.
Within a few years of graduation, industrial engineering graduates will:
- continue learning;
- lead and inspire others; and
- engage in the community and society.
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) with a major in industrial engineering requires a minimum of 129 s.h. of credit, including two 0 s.h. seminars. At the time of graduation, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all college work used to complete degree requirements and in all UI coursework in order to be awarded the BSE.
All BSE students are required to take the same collegiate curriculum. For information about these collegiate requirements, see the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, BSE in the catalog. Students completing the major in industrial engineering fulfill the collegiate statistics requirement by completing STAT:2020 Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences. Students within the department also are required to take PSY:1001 Elementary Psychology to fulfill part of the BSE collegiate curriculum General Education Component approved course subjects requirement.
The major in industrial engineering requires the following coursework.
Requirements Summary
| Requirements |
Hours |
| Collegiate Curriculum |
50 |
| Major Requirements (includes two 0 s.h. seminars) |
58 |
| Focus Area |
21-26 |
Major Requirements
Major requirements include a set of common courses (40 s.h.), at least 11 s.h. in engineering fundamentals elective courses, a systems elective (3 s.h.), two departmental seminars (0 s.h.), and one capstone design course (4 s.h.).
Common Courses
Engineering Fundamentals
Students who are required to complete ENGR:2730 Computers in Engineering as part of their focus area must select a different course to fulfill the engineering fundamentals requirement.
Systems Elective
Students who complete ENGR:2730 Computers in Engineering or ISE:4900 Introduction to Six Sigma as part of their focus area must select a different course to fulfill their systems elective or work with their academic advisor for an appropriate substitution.
Departmental Seminars
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| ISE:2000 | Industrial Engineering Sophomore Seminar | 0 |
| ISE:3000 | Professional Seminar: Industrial Engineering (taken in the third year) | 0 |
Capstone Design Course
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| ISE:4600 | Industrial Engineering Design Project | 4 |
Focus Area
Students must select focus area courses according to guidelines established by the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Focus areas include big data analytics, computer and information systems, design and manufacturing, entrepreneurship, human factors and ergonomics, management, and an option to tailor a focus area to an individual student's interests. For more information about focus area options and guidelines for tailored focus areas, see EFAs and Specialized Opportunities on the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering website.
Focus areas in the industrial engineering major include content area courses and electives; carefully selected elective courses may contribute to earning a minor and/or certificate.
Big Data Analytics
Students in the big data analytics focus area complete four required courses (12 s.h.), two focus area electives (6–7 s.h.), and one math or science elective (3–4 s.h.).
Required Big Data Analytics Courses
Big Data Analytics Electives
Math or Science Elective–Big Data Analytics
Computer and Information Systems
Students in the computer and information systems focus area complete five required courses (16 s.h.) and two focus area electives (6–7 s.h.).
Required Computer and Information Systems Courses
Computer and Information Systems Electives
Design and Manufacturing
Students in the design and manufacturing focus area complete two required courses (6 s.h.), three focus area electives (9–12 s.h.), one math or science elective (3–4 s.h.), and one advanced engineering elective (3–4 s.h.).
Required Design and Manufacturing Courses
Design and Manufacturing Electives
Math or Science Elective–Design and Manufacturing
Advanced Engineering Elective–Design and Manufacturing
Students select one course numbered 3000 or above from any department in the College of Engineering (prefix BME, CBE, CEE, ECE, ISE, or ME).
Entrepreneurship
Students in the entrepreneurship focus area complete three required courses (9 s.h.), two technological entrepreneurship courses (6 s.h.), one advanced elective (3 s.h.), and one math or science elective (3–4 s.h.).
Required Entrepreneurship Courses
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| ISE:4900 | Introduction to Six Sigma | 3 |
| ENTR:2000 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| ENTR:3100 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 3 |
Technological Entrepreneurship Certificate Courses
Students select two courses that count toward the Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship for a total of 6 s.h.
Advanced Elective
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| 3 |
| 3 |
Math or Science Elective–Entrepreneurship
Human Factors and Ergonomics
Students in the human factors and ergonomics focus area complete three required courses (10 s.h.), one math or science elective (3 s.h.), one engineering elective (3–4 s.h.), and two general electives (6–7 s.h.).
Required Human Factors and Ergonomics Courses
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| PSY:2601 | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSY:2701 | Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience | 4 |
| PSY:2811 | Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology I | 3 |
Math or Science Elective–Human Factors and Ergonomics
Engineering Elective
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| ISE:4175 | Safety Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:5420 | Automated Vehicle Systems | 3 |
| ISE:5460 | User Experience Design | 3 |
| ISE:6220 | Cognitive Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:6410 | Research Methods in Human Factors Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:6450 | Human Factors in Aviation | 3 |
| BME:2500 | Biomaterials and Biomechanics | 4 |
| BME:5640 | Ergonomics of Occupational Injuries | 3 |
General Electives
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| PSY:3040 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| PSY:3620 | Human Memory | 3 |
| PSY:4020 | Laboratory in Psychology | 4 |
| OEH:4310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Principles | 3 |
Management
Students in the management focus area complete five required courses (15 s.h.), one math or science elective (3–4 s.h.), and one advanced engineering elective (3 s.h.).
Required Management Courses
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| ACCT:2100 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT:2200 | Managerial Accounting Analytics and Data Visualization | 3 |
| MGMT:2000 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| MGMT:2100 | Introduction to Management | 3 |
| MKTG:3000 | Introduction to Marketing Strategy | 3 |
Math or Science Elective–Management
Advanced Engineering Elective–Management
Students select one course numbered 3000 or above from any department in the College of Engineering (prefix BME, CBE, CEE, ECE, ISE, or ME).
Tailored
Students work with their advisor to tailor a program that is specific to their individual needs.
BSE/MS in Industrial Engineering
The College of Engineering offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science program for industrial engineering undergraduate students who intend to earn an MS in industrial engineering.
Undergraduate students at the University of Iowa who have completed more than 80 s.h. and have a grade-point average higher than 3.25 may apply for admission to the Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) program designed to accelerate the attainment of an MS in industrial engineering degree. Students typically complete their MS within one year of their BSE degree.
Students meet with their academic advisor, complete a plan, and submit an application for the MS program of study to the Graduate College. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are not required for University of Iowa students. Students continue to follow the industrial and systems engineering curriculum as planned with their advisor.
Students may take up to 12 s.h. of graduate coursework in the last year of undergraduate studies to be counted toward both degrees, attend the program's graduate seminar, and optionally work with a faculty member on a master's thesis project while they are still undergraduates.
Interested students should discuss the Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) program with their advisor during their third year of study. Applications should be submitted to the department before the start of their fourth year.
Industrial and systems engineers have many opportunities for employment and service in industrial, government, research, and public service organizations. Employment opportunities are among the most varied in the engineering field. Industrial and systems engineers hold positions as advisors to management or may participate directly in management decisions. Representative job titles include industrial engineer, manufacturing engineer, systems analyst, quality specialist, operations research analyst, internal consultant, human factors specialist, supervisor, and manager. Industrial and systems engineers are employed by manufacturing and energy firms, wind turbine manufacturers, government agencies, and service organizations such as airlines, banks, hospitals, health care groups, and consulting companies.
People are often surprised to learn the impact and breadth of the industrial engineering profession, which is one of the three largest areas of engineering employment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet, only 5% of all engineers are trained specifically for this specialty, according to the American Society for Engineering Educators (ASEE). It is one of the more gender-diverse engineering degrees: 34.1% of industrial engineering bachelor's degrees are awarded to women, compared to 24% of all engineering bachelor's degrees, according to the ASEE.
Engineering Career Services develops and promotes experiential education and professional opportunities for students in the College of Engineering. Professional staff coordinate the college's co-op and internship program, engage in employer outreach, and provide opportunities for students to network with employers, including engineering career fairs and other programming related to career development.
Engineering Career Services offers individual advising and class presentations on résumé and cover letter preparation, job and internship search strategies, interviewing skills, job offer evaluation, and much more. Engineering Career Services partners with the Pomerantz Career Center to facilitate on-campus interviewing, postgraduation outcome collection, and the university's online recruiting system, Handshake.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Industrial Engineering, BSE
Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
| First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| RHET:1030 |
Rhetoric a |
4 |
| MATH:1550 |
Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus b, c |
4 |
| CHEM:1110 |
Principles of Chemistry I a, d |
4 |
| ENGR:1100 |
Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving e |
3 |
| ENGR:1000 |
Engineering Success for First-Year Students e |
1 |
| CSI:1600 |
Success at Iowa |
0 |
| | Hours | 16 |
| Spring |
|---|
| PSY:1001 |
Elementary Psychology a |
3 |
| MATH:1560 |
Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calculus b |
4 |
| MATH:2550 |
Engineering Mathematics III: Matrix Algebra a |
2 |
| PHYS:1611 |
Introductory Physics I b |
4 |
| ENGR:1300 |
Introduction to Engineering Computing b |
3 |
| | Hours | 16 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Any Semester |
|---|
|
|
| | Hours | 0 |
| Fall |
|---|
| f |
3 |
| MATH:2560 |
Engineering Mathematics IV: Differential Equations a |
3 |
| PHYS:1612 |
Introductory Physics II a |
4 |
| g |
2 - 3 |
| g |
3 |
| g |
3 |
| ISE:2000 |
Industrial Engineering Sophomore Seminar e |
0 |
| | Hours | 18-19 |
| Spring |
|---|
| STAT:2020 |
Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences a |
3 |
| g |
3 |
| ISE:2500 |
Engineering Economy h |
3 |
| ISE:3500 |
Information Systems Design h |
3 |
| i |
3 |
| | Hours | 15 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| j |
3 |
| ISE:2360 |
Design for Manufacturing e |
3 |
| ISE:3400 |
Human Factors e |
3 |
| ISE:3610 |
Stochastic Modeling e |
3 |
| ISE:3700 |
Operations Research e |
3 |
| | Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| k |
3 |
| ISE:3300 |
Manufacturing Systems h |
3 |
| ISE:3450 |
Ergonomics h |
3 |
| ISE:3660 |
Data Analytics with R h |
3 |
| ISE:3750 |
Digital Systems Simulation h |
3 |
| i |
3 |
| ISE:3000 |
Professional Seminar: Industrial Engineering h |
0 |
| | Hours | 18 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| k |
3 |
| ISE:3350 |
Process Engineering e |
3 |
| ISE:3600 |
Quality Control e |
3 |
| i |
3 |
| i |
3 |
| | Hours | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| ISE:4600 |
Industrial Engineering Design Project b |
4 |
| l |
3 |
| i |
3 |
| i |
3 |
| i |
3 |
| m |
|
| | Hours | 16 |
| | Total Hours | 129-130 |
