Industrial and systems engineers obtain a broad technical background with special attention to productivity, costs, quality, and the human factor in production and other systems. The systems to which industrial engineering techniques can be applied are quite diverse. Typically, industrial engineers have worked in manufacturing systems, but the methods have found applications in many other systems, including distribution centers, information systems, hospitals, transportation networks, and financial systems. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of industrial engineering jobs is expected to increase by 10% from 2019 to 2029.
To prepare our graduates for their job responsibilities, the primary objective of the Industrial and Systems Engineering program is to produce engineers who are able to apply ISE tools and knowledge to support, improve, manage, develop, design, or implement a project, process, or system that has a positive impact on relevant key-performance indicators, such as financial results, productivity, quality or safety. We want our graduates to actively seek to be leaders among their peers by demonstrating a professional attitude; a commitment to integrity and ethical behavior; effective communication across stakeholders; and engagement in life-long learning.
For assessment of student capability, the ISE program uses a set of student outcomes that have been defined by ABET, the organization which accredits the BSISE degree:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics _x000D_
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors _x000D_
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences _x000D_
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts _x000D_
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives _x000D_
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions _x000D_
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies. _x000D_
Courses in the first year of the program are similar to the curricula of the other engineering disciplines and include math, chemistry, and general education courses. Second year courses include additional math courses, physics, and several fundamental industrial and systems engineering topics. The third year includes advanced industrial and systems engineering topics.
An emphasis in the program is the development of good system design skills. In the senior year, all students complete a real-world project focusing on applied system design. Students work on a project related to the design or improvement of an actual system, such as a production system, an inventory control system, a distribution system, or a quality control system. The projects are provided by local companies who serve as project clients.
In the senior year, ISE students also complete elective courses in various categories including Math & Science, Business, and ISE Technical electives. Students can choose course options in these categories that match their interests and career goals. Students are encouraged to discuss these goals with their adviser for help in selecting appropriate electives.
Ohio University offers a variety of minors and certificates and ISE undergraduates are encouraged to pursue one or more of these. For ISE students, some of the commonly-earned minors and certificates include Business Minor, Lean Six Sigma Certificate, and Workplace Health & Safety Certificate. Required and elective courses that students take can also count toward minors and certificates.
All ISE students are strongly encouraged to participate in an internship during their sophomore and/or junior years in order to gain valuable career experience. Working in a real-world job for one or more semesters can enhance classroom instruction and also financially support college education. Students plan their internship in coordination with their academic advisor and the Russ College's Office of Professional Relationships.