Industrial and systems engineering (ISE) prepares students for careers in an increasingly diverse, dynamic, and technological world. Industrial and systems engineers integrate a systems approach to design and engineering, by integrating people, materials, information, equipment and energy to design, implement, and improve systems. Industrial and systems engineering involves the study of engineering design, system integration, optimization, quality and reliability, supply chain management, virtual reality, and manufacturing. The most distinctive aspect of industrial engineering is the flexibility it offers. Industrial engineers have the opportunity to work in many different kinds of businesses and nonprofit organizations. Many industrial engineers eventually move into supervisory or management positions where they continue to draw on their technical background. Demand for industrial engineers has grown dramatically over the past two decades.
The Industrial & Systems Engineering curriculum focuses on system integration and methods to analyze, design, and improve manufacturing and service systems. The first two years include pre-engineering courses, basic mathematics, natural science, engineering fundamentals, humanities and social science. The last two years are devoted to studies in operations research, including optimization and stochastic models, manufacturing engineering, production planning and plant layout, human factors and human interface technology, statistics and design of experiments, quality and reliability engineering, and a comprehensive senior design experience. Industrial & Systems Engineering students are encouraged to take a systems view when solving problems, recognize the organizational and societal impact of technical decisions, develop good oral and written communication skills, participate in teams, and take initiative.
Engineering Undeclared Students
See section on College of Engineering Admission for additional details on Direct-to-College admission and placement process for Engineering Undeclared students. The deadline to submit a request for placement in an engineering major occurs annually on July 1.
If the number of Engineering Undeclared students requesting the major exceeds the department capacity for such students, a matching process is implemented. Factors considered include performance in prerequisite courses, quality of overall academic record, content of personal statement, applicable work or extracurricular activities, and other special circumstances as disclosed by the applicant.
Engineering Undeclared students in good standing with respect to the continuation criteria described below may request placement into an engineering major after completion of minimum requirements as specified below:
Students in good standing who do not meet the placement requirements by July 1 will be placed into a major on a conditional basis pending the completion of all placement requirements. Additional advising resources will be available to these students. See section on College of Engineering Continuation Policy for Engineering Undeclared Students for additional details.
Other Current UW students and Transfer Students
Current UW students without Engineering Undeclared status and transfer students may apply. Admission is competitive.
Students are encouraged to complete MATH 207 (unless MATH 135 is completed), MATH 208 (unless MATH 136 is completed), and CSE 122 (or CSE 142) prior to autumn quarter.
Factors considered include performance in prerequisite courses, quality of overall academic record, demonstrated ability to complete a rigorous course load, record of honors, content of personal statement, applicable work or extracurricular activities, and other special circumstances as disclosed by the applicant.
All students must make satisfactory academic progress in the major. Failure to do so results in probation, which can lead to dismissal from the major. For the complete continuation policy, contact the departmental adviser or refer to the department website.
The BSIE curriculum focuses on system integration and methods to analyze, design, and improve manufacturing and service systems. The first two years include pre-engineering classes such as basic mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering fundamentals, technical writing, humanities and social science. The last two years are devoted to studies in operations research, including optimization and stochastic models, manufacturing engineering, production planning and plant layout, human factors and human interface technology, statistics and design of experiments, quality and reliability engineering, and a comprehensive senior design experience.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Major Requirements (87-93 credits)
Additional electives to reach 180 credits
20 credits
The BSIE curriculum focuses on system integration and methods to analyze, design, and improve manufacturing and service systems. The first two years include pre-engineering classes such as basic mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering fundamentals, technical writing, humanities and social science. The last two years are devoted to studies in operations research, including optimization and stochastic models, manufacturing engineering, production planning and plant layout, human factors and human interface technology, statistics and design of experiments, quality and reliability engineering, and a comprehensive senior design experience. The emerging field of Data Science encompasses a broad set of interdisciplinary skills, including data management, programming, statistics, machine learning, visualization, and systems engineering tools. Data Science degree option in Industrial & Systems Engineering educates students in all aspects of the field of Data Science and enables them to contribute to solutions to the many critical data-intensive problems in the world today.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Major Requirements (87-93 credits)
Additional electives to reach 180 credits
Option specific credits (18-24 credits)
Student Outcomes and Opportunities
IE prepares students to serve as the efficiency experts of organizational change. Students are encouraged to take a systems view when solving problems, recognize the organizational and societal impact of technical decisions, develop good oral and written communication skills, participate in teams, and take initiative. Industrial engineers draw upon specialized knowledge and skills in math, the physical sciences, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.