Industrial Engineering

Director: A. Z. Zeng
Affiliated Faculty: A. Gerstenfeld, S. A. Johnson, R. Konrad, A. Z. Zeng, J. Zhu

Industrial Engineering Program Chart (PDF)

Mission Statement

The mission of the Industrial Engineering (IE) Program at WPI is to prepare undergraduate students for professional engineering practice, providing the foundation for careers of leadership in challenging global and technological environments. We strive to accomplish this through:

• An innovative, project-based curriculum
• An emphasis on core industrial engineering skills with modern applications
• A flexible curriculum responsive to student interests and changes in the competitive environment
• An environment that encourages faculty/student interaction
• A culture that encourages the active involvement of students in their learning.

Program Educational Objectives

Educational objectives describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first few years after graduation.

1. Industrial Engineering Knowledge and Design Skills. Graduates should be able to support operational decision making and design solutions to address the complex and changing industrial engineering problems faced by organizations in an increasingly global environment, using current methods and technologies.
2. Communication Skills. Graduates should be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using electronic tools and graphical information.
3. Teamwork and Leadership Skills. Graduates should be able to serve as change agents in the organizations that employ them, based on strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility, an awareness of cultural impacts, and a willingness to initiate.

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes describe what students are expected to know and are able to do by the time of graduation, and are linked to the educational objectives described above.

1. Industrial Engineering Knowledge and Design Skills
   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 identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
   5. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
2. Communication Skills
   6. an ability to communicate effectively.
3. Teamwork and Leadership Skills
   7. an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
   8. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
   9. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
   10. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
   11. a knowledge of contemporary issues

Program Distribution Requirements for Industrial Engineering Major (IE)

The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to the WPI requirements applicable to all students, students wishing to receive the ABET accredited degree designated "Industrial Engineering" must complete a minimum of 10 units of study in the areas of mathematics, basic science, and engineering topics as follows:

Requirements	Minimum Units
1. Mathematics and Basic Science (Notes 1,2)	4
2. Industrial Engineering Topics (including the MQP) (Notes 3,4)	6

Notes:

1. Mathematics must include differential and integral calculus, ordinary differential equations, and 2/3 units in probability and statistics.
2. Basic Science must include both chemistry and physics, with a minimum of two courses in either.
3. Must include 1/3 unit of Capstone Design Experience.
4. Industrial Engineering Topics must include courses in the following three topic areas:
   1. 3 units of Industrial Engineering core courses, including 1/3 unit in each of the following 9 areas:financial modeling, deterministic operations research methods, operations process design, materials management, simulation, stochastic methods in operations research, quality control, information systems design, and leadership skills.
   2. 1 unit in Industrial Engineering electives. 3000/4000 level OIE courses, MIS 3720, MIS 4720, and Operations Research courses at the 3000/4000 level in Mathematics qualify. Courses in financial modeling and organizational science do not qualify.
   3. 1 unit in technical electives. Industrial Engineering electives and any other Engineering Science/Design courses qualify.