Industrial and Systems Engineering

Overview

Industrial and systems engineering programs prepare people to apply math and science to a wide variety of engineering problems.

Industrial and systems engineering programs include topics such as:

Applied mathematics
Physical sciences
Computer applications
Engineering analysis
Systems analysis

Students in this program may be able to focus in a variety of fields such as business, health care, or production. They may also be able to concentrate in systems science and theory.

Schools

Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in industrial and systems engineering. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree, students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in industrial and systems engineering. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four or five years of full-time study.

Many universities offer graduate degrees in industrial and systems engineering. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

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Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Biology
Calculus
Chemistry
Computer Science and Programming
English Composition
Physics
Trigonometry

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree in engineering (or perhaps computer science), good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Letters of recommendation

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Calculus
Chemistry
Electronic Circuits
Engineering Economics
Engineering Physics
English Composition
Ergonomics
Experimental Psychology
Human Factors Engineering
Industrial Quality Control
Introduction to Computer Science
Linear Differential Equations
Manufacturing Processes
Mechanics
Operations Research
Production Planning and Scheduling
Research Design
Senior Research/Design Project
Simulation for Decision Engineering
Statistics
Systems Design

Graduate Program Courses

A master's program typically includes the following:

Required courses
Thesis

Things to Know

Most engineering jobs require a lot of writing and clear communication. Taking writing and other humanities courses will develop your communication skills.

Some bachelor's programs combine work experience with classes, and may take five or six years to complete. This work experience teaches skills, helps build job contacts, and you may be paid while you work.

To become licensed by your state to work as an engineer, you must have a degree from an accredited engineering program. You also need several years of work experience and must pass an exam. Many people take the exam at the same time they graduate or soon after.