Industrial and Information Engineering

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http://www.engr.utk.edu/ie/

R. Bruce Robinson, Interim Head

Originally, the industrial engineering profession focused on manufacturing. Today’s industrial engineer will be involved in the design of systems and processes to produce and deliver goods and services not only in manufacturing, but also in the service industries and government sectors of the economy. Today’s industrial engineer is concerned with the design of integrated systems involving people, materials, finances, equipment, processes, energy, and information, so that the overall system functions efficiently and human needs are adequately met. Industrial engineering is distinctive in two respects – the industrial engineer typically works on problems or systems which include human beings as a major variable and the industrial engineer is by definition a systems engineer, whose unique combination of skills can be applied to many working environments.

It is this emphasis on people, science, and technology that distinguishes industrial engineering from the other engineering disciplines. The industrial engineer’s objective is to achieve the best possible results for the benefit of humankind in terms of safety, quality, and productivity. Industrial engineers create value through a total systems approach, scientific method, engineering design, and integration of new technologies. In common with all engineering disciplines, industrial engineering is based on mathematics and the physical sciences. However, industrial engineering also emphasizes the life sciences and social sciences. This concern for the human element leads to system designs that enhance the quality of life for all people, both as producers and consumers of products and services.

Career choices for industrial engineers range from retail distribution, banking, healthcare delivery, corporate management, municipal management, aerospace systems, research groups, government employment, as well as manufacturing. In all areas of manufacturing, service, and government, there is increasing emphasis on the goal of improving quality and productivity. Industrial engineers work closely with the top management in these sectors to achieve this goal.

Industrial engineering graduates possess the knowledge, technical skills, and professionalism for their entry into industry or graduate study. They are prepared for life-long learning and for service to society. Many will achieve prominent roles in management.

Students majoring in industrial engineering are eligible to participate in the Engineering Cooperative Program and other student activities in the College of Engineering. Industrial engineering majors interested in the Engineering Cooperative Program should visit Office of Cooperative Engineering or consult with their faculty advisor.

Goals

The goals of the industrial engineering undergraduate program are to prepare students to contribute to the profession of industrial engineering and to prepare them for further study, including professional and graduate education.

Objectives

The educational objectives of the Industrial Engineering program are to prepare our students to:

• have successful professional careers that employ industrial and systems engineering concepts and principles,
• pursue life-long learning,
• and achieve positions of leadership.

This curriculum emphasizes the knowledge and skills necessary to design integrated systems of people, materials, equipment, and energy such that the overall systems function at an optimal level and such that the needs of human components of the system are met. The solid, broad base in engineering, combined with education in applying engineering methodology to traditionally non-engineering problem areas as provided through the industrial engineering curriculum, leads to participation by industrial engineers in an unlimited range of fields including retail distribution, banking, health care delivery, corporate management, municipal management, food industry, as well as traditional areas of manufacturing.

Outcomes

The eleven program outcomes listed in the College of Engineering section on National Accreditation are the accepted outcomes of the Industrial and Information Engineering Department.

Five-Year BS-MS Program

The department offers a 5-year BS-MS non-thesis program with a major in industrial engineering for qualified students. The primary component of the program is a qualified student may take up to 9 hours of approved graduate courses for their senior undergraduate courses and have them count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Qualifications for admission to the program are:

• The student must have an earned minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 to be considered for admission to the program. Conditional admission may be granted the student after completing 65 hours of the required course work.
• Conditional admission must be obtained before taking a graduate course that is to be used to satisfy the requirements of both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Full admission may be granted after completing 96 hours of required course work as with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 in the required course work.
• Conditional and full admission of a student into this program must be approved by the Department of Industrial Engineering, the College of Engineering, and the Graduate School.
• Any course taken for graduate credit prior to satisfying all requirements for the bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering must be approved by the department head or designee and the Graduate School.
• A student will not be eligible for a graduate assistantship until the student has satisfied all of the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

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