Major: Industrial Engineering
How many copies of the first Harry Potter book should the corner bookstore keep on its shelf? How many people need to work the night shift at a cupcake factory in order to supply the local chain of grocery stores? Will technology stocks rise or fall over the next three months?
As an industrial engineering major, you’ll draw on math, science, business, and psychology to answer questions like these. You’ll learn how to create factory schedules, determine delivery routes, set up customer service systems, and much more.
Industrial engineering majors learn how to improve the way factories, hospitals, and other organizations run. They learn to take all factors into account -- from equipment and materials to people.
“Each [industrial engineering] problem is unique in its own way, and each requires a slightly different tool or action.”
C. Patrick Koelling, Associate Professor, Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Are You Ready To...?
- Possibly take five years to complete your degree
- Work on projects as part of a team
- Write a senior thesis or do a senior design project
- Complete an internship or co-op
It Helps to Be...
A creative but practical problem solver who’s a fan of math and science and who pays attention to detail. You’ll need to be able to explain your ideas, so build good communication skills now.
College Checklist
- Is the program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology?
- Is there a program in which you can earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees?
- Does the department have a particular focus, such as manufacturing or management science? Information systems or human factors?
- What are the computer labs like? Do they have up-to-date industrial engineering software?
- Do professors or grad students teach and advise undergrads?
- Will you have a chance to work on the research projects of your professors?
Did You Know?
- Industrial engineering majors learn methods for making predictions about things that behave in a random way, such as the popularity of bell-bottoms in any given year.
Course Spotlight
In your third year as an industrial engineering major, you’ll start working on case studies, often as part of a team. For example, your professor might assign you a scenario like the following: an auto parts supplier needs a new computer system to keep track of how many windshield wipers, oil filters, and other parts to keep on the shelves. Your team would come up with an idea, research how to do it, and then outline a proposal that includes the cost of creating the new system.
Explore this major in more depth on MyRoad™