Industrial Engineering

G-7 Mechanical Engineering Building

Industrial engineering (IE) prepares students for careers in an increasingly diverse, dynamic and technological world. Industrial engineers focus on the integration of humans, machines, materials and information to achieve optimum performance of operating systems. This focus on the "big picture" makes industrial engineering one of the most people-oriented and customer-focused of the engineering disciplines.

Industrial engineering involves the study of engineering design, system integration, optimization, quality and reliability, supply chain management, virtual reality, and manufacturing.

Being an industrial engineer is about choices. Industrial engineers have the opportunity to work in many different kinds of businesses and nonprofit organizations. The most distinctive aspect of industrial engineering is the flexibility it offers. Many industrial engineers eventually move into supervisory or management positions where they continue to draw on their technical background. Demand for industrial engineers has grown dramatically over the past two decades.

Undergraduate Program

The Industrial Engineering program offers the following program of study:

• The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering

Department Admission Requirements

Freshman Admission

The UW Industrial Engineering program enrolls up to 10 percent of its incoming class directly out of high school, prior to the completion of university-level prerequisites. Freshman applicants to the University of Washington who have listed Industrial Engineering as their intended major are automatically considered. Competitive applicants have taken or are taking calculus and at least one year of laboratory science (preferably physics). Admission is for autumn quarter only.

1. Course requirements: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126; 10 credits of physical-science courses plus accompanying laboratory, at the level of PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123, or CHEM 142, CHEM 152; and 5 credits of English composition. All courses must be completed prior to the July 1 application deadline. Admission is for autumn quarter only.
2. Applicants must be currently enrolled at the UW and must have completed a minimum of 15 credits taken in residence at the UW.
3. Grade requirements: Minimum grade of 2.0 in each prerequisite course and a minimum overall GPA of 2.50.

1. Course requirements: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126,; PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123; CHEM 142, CHEM 152; and at least 5 credits of English composition.
2. 45 credits completed by application deadline, which is July 1 for autumn admission and February 1 for spring admission.

Students may also declare into the Industrial Engineering degree program through the College of Engineering Advanced Admission program (see the College of Engineering section for Advanced Admission entrance and continuation requirements).

Graduation Requirements

General Education Requirements (91 credits)

1. Written and Oral Communications (12 credits): 5-credits in English composition from the University-approved list; T C 231; T C 333 (or department-approved alternative).
2. Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts (VLPA) and Individuals and Societies (I&S) (30 credits): A minimum of 10 credits is required in each area.
3. Natural World (49 credits)
   1. Mathematics (24 credits): MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 307, MATH 308; IND E 315
   2. Science (25 credits): CHEM 142, CHEM 152; PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123

1. Engineering Fundamentals (28 credits): CSE 142, MSE 170, A A 210, E E 215, CEE 220, M E 230, IND E 250
2. Industrial Engineering Core (24 credits): IND E 316, IND E 337, IND E 410, IND E 411, IND E 494, IND E 495
3. Technical Electives (37 credits): At least one class from approved courses in each of the following areas: operations research, statistics, production/operations, design, and general engineering. See adviser for list of approved technical electives.
4. Grade Requirements: Minimum 2.00 GPA in all engineering courses with no grade below 1.0 in these courses.

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Industrial engineering graduates are proficient in mathematics, sciences, engineering fundamentals, and the use of computers; use a broad knowledge of industrial engineering methods and tools associated with operations research, quality engineering, and human factors; apply engineering design methods and tools to represent, integrate and solve problems, including the ability to recognize problem context and integrate knowledge and skills from allied disciplines; communicate effectively; and possess the professional characteristics of leadership, ethics, and the ability to motivate and work with others.

  IE prepares students to serve as the efficiency experts of organizational change. Students are encouraged to take a systems view when solving problems, recognize the organizational and societal impact of technical decisions, develop good oral and written communication skills, participate in teams, and take initiative. Industrial engineers draw upon specialized knowledge and skills in math, the physical sciences, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design.

  The B.S.I.E. degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4021, telephone: (410) 347-7700. The goal of the undergraduate program is to provide a comprehensive education to prepare students for the profession, resulting in the following outcomes:

  1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering.
  2. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
  3. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
  4. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
  5. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
  6. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
  7. An ability to communicate effectively.
  8. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
  9. A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
  10. A knowledge of contemporary issues.
  11. An ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
  12. An understanding of the integrated, interdisciplinary nature of the discipline.

• Instructional and Research Facilities: Industrial Engineering provides designated computing facilities for undergraduate students. Research facilities include the Human Interface Technology Laboratory, the Production Systems Laboratory, the Manufacturing Laboratory, and the Center for Engineering Learning and Teaching.

• Honors Options Available: With College Honors. With Distinction (Departmental Honors). See adviser for requirements.

• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Students have the opportunity to pursue cooperative and internship programs at the College level through the College's Engineering Co-op Program (www.engr.washington.edu/coop/).

• Department Scholarships: IE offers scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students. All applicants to the BSIE program are considered for these scholarships. Awards are made based on both merit and financial need.

• Student Organizations/Associations: Students are actively involved in the UW student chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE); the IE National Honor Society, Alpha Pi Mu; and the IE Student Advisory Board.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
G7 Mechanical Engineering, Box 352650
206-543-5041
ieadvise@u.washington.edu

Industrial Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (M.S.I.E.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Graduate courses and research programs are offered in manufacturing, operations research, large-scale assembly, experimental statistics, production planning, quality control, reliability engineering, computer-integrated manufacturing, simulation, supply chain, human factors, virtual reality, and human interface technology.

Master of Science in Industrial Engineering

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements

• Coursework Only Program:
  • 21 graded credits in industrial engineering (500 level or above) courses
  • 17 graded credits in technical electives (a maximum of 9 technical elective credits may be taken at the 400 level)
  • 3 credits of Industrial Engineering seminar: IND E 591, IND E 592, IND E 593 (1, 1, 1)

• Thesis Program:
  • 18 graded credits in industrial engineering (500 level or above) courses
  • 11 graded credits in technical electives (a maximum of 9 technical elective credits may be taken at the 400 level)
  • 9 credits of master's thesis (IND E 700)
  • 3 credits of Industrial Engineering seminar: IND E 591, IND E 592, IND E 593 (1, 1, 1)

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements

• 3 credits of Industrial Engineering graduate seminar: IND E 591, IND E 592, IND E 593 (1, 1, 1)
• 60 credits of coursework, with at least 18 credit hours of 500-level courses. A master's degree from the UW or another institution may be used as a substitute for 30 of these 60 credits.
• General examination
• Dissertation: 27 credits of dissertation (IND E 800) over a period of at least three quarters.
• Final examination