Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineers (IEs) apply science, mathematics, and engineering methods to complex system integration and operation. Because the systems with which they work are so large and complex, IEs have knowledge and skill in a wide variety of disciplines, the ability to work well with people, and a broad, systems perspective. The Industrial Engineering degree is a very flexible degree that allows students to tailor their program of study to meet their individual career goals. The large number of restricted elective credits allows students to pursue one of two options, the Information Systems Engineering option or the Business Engineering option, or to customize their program to a field of interest.

IEs are key players in the integration and operation of systems in all sectors of industry and government including the following (with examples):

• aerospace (NASA space shuttle pre-launch processing systems)
• automotive (automobile final assembly plants)
• communications (telephone services)
• computers (factory information systems)
• electronics/semiconductors (silicon wafer fabrication facilities)
• food (canneries and fast food restaurant chains)
• government (department of motor vehicles service centers)
• health care (hospital central stores and operating rooms)
• manufacturing (circuit board fabrication facilities)
• retail (product distribution centers)
• transportation (airlines, overnight delivery services)

In their role as system integrators, IEs analyze and design, for example:

• facilities (buildings, rooms, equipment, infrastructure, etc.)
• material handling systems
• manufacturing and other production systems
• information systems
• individual and group workplaces

In the operations realm, IEs analyze, design and manage processes for:

• manufacturing processes-service processes
• production system planning and control
• resource allocation and scheduling,
• personnel assignment and scheduling,
• quality assurance,
• inventory control
• system and personnel safety

MIME Undergraduate Advising and Program Planning