This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

Industrial Engineering and Management

Industrial Engineering & Management Major

Industrial Engineering and Management (IE&M) is a good choice for people  with the aptitude and interest for careers that blend technology and people. First, this is an engineering program, with the traditional content of mathematics, sciences, engineering analysis and design and management. Beyond the basics, this program also challenges students to integrate resources with technology and provide seamless integration and flow. In addition to scientific principles and technological systems, IE&M students study social systems, cost analysis, facilities and other elements of the business enterprise to understand the impact of these elements on business organization. The "engineering" and "management" pieces are blended and integrated. 

IE&M graduates are in high demand across a wide spectrum of industries. In recent years, the most active employers have represented manufacturing, healthcare, airline, entertainment industry, transportation, postal, warehousing and distribution,  information systems, software, facilities development and consulting industries, as well as many of the production sectors that have been the traditional concentration for industrial engineers. IE&M graduates are sought after for positions in design of products, processes, procedures, facilities, and systems; material handling, distribution, warehousing, and logistics; project and organizational management; financial modeling; and technological training.

Just as the profession requires a blend of scientific, technological and humanistic skills, student learning in IE&M is an integrated process. The discipline-specific courses place the student in position to experience many elements of real situations in industry and commerce. Moreover, the program has been nationally cited for integrating design across all levels, with freshmen and juniors or sophomores and seniors often working together.

The Industrial Engineering and Management program at NDSU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org ). The curriculum is designed to produce baccalaureate-level graduates who are well prepared to accept engineering positions in industry and government or to pursue advanced degree studies. Graduates of the IE&M program will be able to:

  1. Apply statistical, operations research and simulation tools to solve problems relevant to modern manufacturing, healthcare, production, commercial, social and/or governmental organizations, with principal emphasis on quality, productivity, continuous improvement, and enterprise integration.
  2. Design processes and systems to effectively and economically employ and integrate technology and people in organizational environments in industrial, healthcare, logistics, service and/or governmental settings, with appropriate consideration for environmental factors, health and safety, manufacturability and ethical, economic, social and political issues.
  3. Engage in effective learning in topics and areas relevant to professional advancement and to enhancing the quality of personal life.
  4. Participate effectively in multidisciplinary teams in both leadership and followership roles.
  5. Effectively communicate complex technological concepts, issues and professional details to a variety of audiences.

Industrial Engineering & Management Areas of Emphasis

Students majoring in Industrial Engineering and Management may prepare for specific career choices by careful use of the technical electives included in the IE&M major. All Industrial Engineering and Management majors choose a minimum of three technical elective courses. It is suggested that students confer with their academic adviser for assistance in choosing the most appropriate technical elective courses. Particular areas of emphasis may be selected in the following special interests: production and operations management, reliability engineering, quality engineering and management, healthcare engineering and management, advanced manufacturing,  supply-chain and logistics management, and lean manufacturing.

These topical areas are also available for post-graduate study, leading to the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management, Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering degrees. For complete details, see the Graduate Bulletin online.

Selective Admission 

The Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering has a selective admission policy. To be admitted to the program, freshman applicants must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 and a composite ACT score of 21 or higher. Transfer students, whether from another university or from another department at NDSU, must have an institutional grade point average of at least 2.30.

Industrial Engineering and Management Minor

Students majoring in any engineering discipline may elect a minor in Industrial Engineering and Management. These optional studies offer engineering students the opportunity to add important career-enhancing skills to their technological competencies. The elected courses in an IE&M minor add skills for integrating technology and resources within the complex of people, technology, machinery and information that make up the successful modern business enterprise. Students completing this minor will achieve better understanding of organizational and management processes and will be better prepared to work in the multifunctional teams crucial to success in industry.

Minor in IE&M require a minimum of 18 credits. The foundation requirements for the IE&M minor are:

  • IME 111 Introduction to Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • IME 311 Work/Station Design and Measurement

The remaining 12 credits must be selected from a list of approved IME 300- and 400-level courses for which prerequisites are in place.

Interested students are encouraged to visit the IME Department for advice on course selection to best suit their career interests. Students must complete the graduation requirements for another engineering major before the designation of the IE&M minor will be placed on their transcripts.

Industrial Engineering & Management Sequence for Non-Majors

The practices and procedures learned in the Industrial Engineering & Management major are universally applied in public and private organizations of all kinds. IE&M courses are available as electives for students majoring in other programs including engineering, computer science, mathematics, sciences, business administration, cereal science, and agricultural economics. Courses recommended for non-majors are:

IME 311Work/Station Design and Measurement3
IME 440Engineering Economy2-3
IME 450Systems Engineering and Management3
IME 451Logistics Engineering and Management3
IME 452Integrated Industrial Information Systems3
IME 453Hospital Management Engineering3
IME 455Management of People Systems2
IME 456Program and Project Management3
IME 460Evaluation of Engineering Data3
IME 461Quality Assurance and Control3
IME 462Total Quality In Industrial Management3
IME 463Reliability Engineering3
IME 470Operations Research I3
IME 480Production and Inventory Control3
IME 482Automated Manufacturing Systems3
IME 485Industrial and Manufacturing Facility Design3