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. Ninety-five percent 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, 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 with a major in industrial engineering requires a minimum of 129 s.h. of credit, including three 0 s.h. seminars. Students must have a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all college work used to satisfy degree requirements as well as on all coursework attempted at the University of Iowa.
All B.S.E. students are required to take the same collegiate curriculum. For information about these collegiate requirements, see the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, B.S.E. 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 B.S.E. collegiate curriculum General Education Component approved course subjects requirement.
The major in industrial engineering requires the following coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Collegiate Curriculum | 50 | |
| Major Requirements (includes three 0 s.h. seminars) | 55 | |
| Focus Area | 24-29 | |
| Total Hours | 129-134 | |
Major Requirements
Major requirements include a set of common courses (40 s.h.), at least 11 s.h. in engineering fundamentals elective courses, three departmental seminars (0 s.h.), and one capstone design course (4 s.h.).
Common Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| ISE:2360 | Design for Manufacturing | 3 |
| ISE:2500 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
| ISE:3300 | Manufacturing Systems | 3 |
| ISE:3350 | Process Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:3400 | Human Factors | 3 |
| ISE:3450 | Ergonomics | 3 |
| ISE:3500 | Information Systems Design | 3 |
| ISE:3600 | Quality Control | 3 |
| ISE:3610 | Stochastic Modeling | 3 |
| ISE:3660 | Data Analytics with R | 3 |
| ISE:3700 | Operations Research | 3 |
| ISE:3750 | Digital Systems Simulation | 3 |
| PHYS:1612 | Introductory Physics II (with lab) | 4 |
Engineering Fundamentals
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| At least 11 s.h. from these: | ||
| ENGR:2110 | Statics | 2 |
| ENGR:2120 | Electrical Circuits | 3 |
| ENGR:2130 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ENGR:2710 | Dynamics | 3 |
| ENGR:2720 | Materials Science | 3 |
| ENGR:2750 | Mechanics of Deformable Bodies | 3 |
Departmental Seminars
Students typically complete ISE:3000 Professional Seminar: Industrial Engineering in the spring semester in each of the third and fourth years, for a total of three departmental seminars.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| ISE:2000 | Industrial Engineering Sophomore Seminar | 0 |
| ISE:3000 | Professional Seminar: Industrial Engineering (taken twice for 0 s.h. each) | 0 |
Capstone Design Course
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| 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, including a systems elective course; 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.), one math or science elective (3-4 s.h.), and one systems elective (3 s.h.).
Required Big Data Analytics Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BAIS:3500 | Data Mining | 3 |
| ECE:5450/IGPI:5450 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| All of these: | ||
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| STAT:4540/BAIS:4540/IGPI:4540 | Statistical Learning | 3 |
| STAT:4580/IGPI:4580 | Data Visualization and Data Technologies | 3 |
Big Data Analytics Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two of these: | ||
| ISE:4172 | Big Data Analytics | 3 |
| ISE:6380 | Deep Learning | 3 |
| CS:2210 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS:2230 | Computer Science II: Data Structures | 4 |
| CS:5110/IGPI:5110 | Introduction to Informatics | 3 |
| ECE:3330/IGPI:3330 | Introduction to Software Design | 3 |
| STAT:4740/CS:4740/IGPI:4740/MATH:4740 | Large Data Analysis | 3 |
Math or Science Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology | 4 |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| MATH:3550 | Engineering Mathematics V: Vector Calculus | 3 |
| MATH:3800/CS:3700 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 3 |
| PHYS:2704 | Physics IV | 3-4 |
| STAT:3210 | Experimental Design and Analysis | 3 |
Systems Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| ISE:4172 | Big Data Analytics | 3 |
| ISE:4175 | Safety Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:4900 | Introduction to Six Sigma | 3 |
| A course with prefix ISE numbered 5000 or above | 3 | |
Computer and Information Systems
Students in the computer and information systems focus area complete five required courses (16 s.h.), two focus area electives (6-7 s.h.), and one systems elective (3 s.h.).
Required Computer and Information Systems Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| ECE:3330/IGPI:3330 | Introduction to Software Design | 3 |
| CS:2210 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS:2230 | Computer Science II: Data Structures | 4 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| MATH:3800/CS:3700 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 3 |
Computer and Information Systems Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two of these: | ||
| CS:2630 | Computer Organization | 4 |
| CS:3330 | Algorithms | 3 |
| CS:3820 | Programming Language Concepts | 3 |
| CS:4400 | Database Systems | 3 |
| CS:5800/ECE:5800 | Fundamentals of Software Engineering | 3 |
Systems Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| ISE:4172 | Big Data Analytics | 3 |
| ISE:4175 | Safety Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:4900 | Introduction to Six Sigma | 3 |
| A course with prefix ISE numbered 5000 or above | 3 | |
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.), one advanced engineering elective (3-4 s.h.), and one systems elective (3 s.h.).
Required Design and Manufacturing Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| ARTS:1020 | Elements of 3D Design | 3 |
| TDSN:2240/CEE:2240 | Digital Drafting with AutoCAD | 3 |
Design and Manufacturing Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Three of these: | ||
| ISE:4116/ME:4116 | Manufacturing Processes Simulations and Automation | 3 |
| ISE:4900 | Introduction to Six Sigma | 3 |
| ISE:5310 | Advanced Computational Design and Manufacturing | 3 |
| ISE:5620 | Design of Experiments | 3 |
| ISE:5650 | Mechatronics Engineering for Smart Device Design | 3 |
| BME:2500 | Biomaterials and Biomechanics | 4 |
| BME:2710 | Engineering Drawing, Design, and Solid Modeling | 3 |
| BME:5101 | Biomaterials and Implant Design | 3 |
| ME:4112/CEE:4512 | Engineering Design Optimization | 3 |
| ME:5167/CEE:5137 | Composite Materials | 3 |
| MTLS:4910 | Mixed Media and Professional Practices | 3-4 |
| TDSN:2250 | Digital Prototyping | 3 |
| TDSN:3285 | Fabrication and Design: Hand-Built Bicycle | 4 |
Math or Science Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology | 4 |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| MATH:3550 | Engineering Mathematics V: Vector Calculus | 3 |
| MATH:3800/CS:3700 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 3 |
| PHYS:2704 | Physics IV | 3-4 |
Advanced Engineering Elective
Students select one course numbered 3000 or above from any department in the College of Engineering (prefix BME, CBE, CEE, ECE, ISE, or ME).
Systems Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| ISE:4172 | Big Data Analytics | 3 |
| ISE:4175 | Safety Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:4900 | Introduction to Six Sigma | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| A course with prefix ISE numbered 5000 or above | 3 | |
Entrepreneurship
Students in the entrepreneurship focus area complete three required courses (9 s.h.), two technological entrepreneurship courses (6 s.h.), one advanced entrepreneurship elective (3 s.h.), one math or science elective (3-4 s.h.), and one systems elective (3 s.h.).
Required Entrepreneurship Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| 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 Entrepreneurship Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| A course numbered 3000 or above with prefix BME, CBE, CEE, ECE, ISE, or ME | 3 | |
| A course numbered 3000 or above with prefix ACCT, BAIS, BUS, ECON, ENTR, FIN, MGMT, or MKTG | 3 | |
Math or Science Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology | 4 |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| MATH:3550 | Engineering Mathematics V: Vector Calculus | 3 |
| MATH:3800/CS:3700 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 3 |
| PHYS:2704 | Physics IV | 3-4 |
| STAT:3210 | Experimental Design and Analysis | 3 |
Systems Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| ISE:4172 | Big Data Analytics | 3 |
| ISE:4175 | Safety Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| A course with prefix ISE numbered 5000 or above | 3 | |
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.), two general electives (6-7 s.h.), and one systems elective (3 s.h.).
Required Human Factors and Ergonomics Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| STAT:3200 | Applied Linear Regression | 3 |
| STAT:3210 | Experimental Design and Analysis | 3 |
| STAT:4143/PSQF:4143 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
Engineering Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| 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 |
| ISE:6460 | The Design of Virtual Environments | 3 |
| BME:2500 | Biomaterials and Biomechanics | 4 |
| BME:5640 | Ergonomics of Occupational Injuries | 3 |
General Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two of these: | ||
| PSY:3040 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| PSY:3620 | Human Memory | 3 |
| PSY:4020 | Laboratory in Psychology | 4 |
| OEH:4310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Principles | 3 |
Systems Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| ISE:4172 | Big Data Analytics | 3 |
| ISE:4175 | Safety Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:4900 | Introduction to Six Sigma | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| A course with prefix ISE numbered 5000 or above | 3 | |
Management
Students in the management focus area complete five required courses (15 s.h.), one math or science elective (3-4 s.h.), one advanced engineering elective (3 s.h.), and one systems elective (3 s.h.).
Required Management Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| ACCT:2100 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT:2200 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| MGMT:2000 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| MGMT:2100 | Introduction to Management | 3 |
| MKTG:3000 | Introduction to Marketing Strategy | 3 |
Math or Science Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology | 4 |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| MATH:3550 | Engineering Mathematics V: Vector Calculus | 3 |
| MATH:3800/CS:3700 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 3 |
| PHYS:2704 | Physics IV | 3-4 |
| STAT:3210 | Experimental Design and Analysis | 3 |
Advanced Engineering Elective
Students select one course numbered 3000 or above from any department in the College of Engineering (prefix BME, CBE, CEE, ECE, ISE, or ME).
Systems Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| ISE:4172 | Big Data Analytics | 3 |
| ISE:4175 | Safety Engineering | 3 |
| ISE:4900 | Introduction to Six Sigma | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| A course with prefix ISE numbered 5000 or above | 3 | |
Tailored
Students work with their advisor to tailor a program that is specific to their individual needs.
B.S.E./M.S. 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 a M.S. in industrial engineering.
Undergraduate students at the University of Iowa who have completed more than 80 s.h. and have a g.p.a. higher than 3.25 may apply for admission to the Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) program designed to accelerate the attainment of an M.S. in industrial engineering degree. Students typically complete their M.S. degree within one year of their B.S.E. degree.
Students meet with their academic advisor, complete a plan, and submit an application for the M.S. 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 15 s.h. of graduate coursework and count 12 s.h. 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, less than five percent of all engineers are trained specifically for this specialty, according to the American Society of Engineering Educators. It is one of the more gender diverse engineering degrees: 31.3 percent of industrial engineering degrees are awarded to women, compared to 21.7 percent of all engineering degrees.
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.