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.
This program of study leads to the following credentials:
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree: Data Science
Admission Requirements
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:
ENGR 101
English composition
MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136)
CHEM 142 (or CHEM 143 or CHEM 145)
PHYS 121 (or PHYS 141)
One course from list of approved courses on the College of Engineering website. Students are encouraged to choose a course required for graduation in the majors they are considering.
Minimum 2.0 grade in each course used to satisfy a placement requirement.
Minimum 12 credits as a matriculated UW student. Some departments require more credits. See department websites for details.
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.
Admission is for autumn quarter only. Application deadline: April 5
Minimum course requirements for application: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136); CHEM 142 (or CHEM 143 or CHEM 145); PHYS 121, PHYS 122 (or PHYS 141, PHYS 142); A A 210; 5 credits English composition. All courses completed prior to application deadline. In addition, CHEM 152 (or CHEM 153 or CHEM 155); PHYS 123 (or PHYS 143); and CEE 220 or ME 230 completed with minimum 2.0 grades prior to autumn quarter
Minimum 60 credits completed by application deadline
Grade requirements: Minimum 2.0 grade in each course required for application; minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA in courses required for application
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.
Continuation Policy
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.
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree
Credential Overview
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.
Completion Requirements
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Basic Skills
Written and Oral Communication (12 credits)
English Composition: 5 credits from the University list
Writing: 4 credits met by coursework in the major; remaining credits from the University list
Reasoning (RSN) (5 credits): met by program requirements
Diversity (DIV) (5 credits): courses may also apply to an Areas of Inquiry requirement. Of Special Note: For students admitted to the University prior to autumn quarter 2023, the DIV requirement is 3 credits.
Areas of Inquiry
Arts and Humanities (A&H) and Social Sciences (SSc) (30 credits)
A&H (10 credits)
SSc (10 credits)
Additional credits in A&H or SSc to bring total to 30 credits
Natural Sciences (NSc) (49-51 credits)
Mathematics (18-24 credits) complete one of the following:
MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 207, MATH 208; IND E 315
Additional NSc credits as necessary to reach 49 credits
Major Requirements (87-93 credits)
Engineering Fundamentals (28 credits): CSE 122 (or CSE 142); MSE 170; A A 210; E E 215; CEE 220; M E 230; IND E 250
Industrial Engineering Core (37 credits): IND E 310, IND E 311, IND E 316/STAT 316, IND E 321, IND E 337, IND E 338, IND E 351, IND E 491, IND E 494, IND E 495
Production Requirement (4 credits): IND E 430 or IND E 439
Additional requirements specified below
Grade Requirements: Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in all courses applied to the major, with no grade below 1.0 in these courses.
Additional electives to reach 180 credits
Additional Completion Requirements
20 credits
Advanced Industrial Engineering Topics (4 credits): one of IND E 412, IND E 427, or IND E 455/HCDE 455
Additional Technical Electives (16 credits): See adviser for approved list of additional technical electives.
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree: Data Science
Credential Overview
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.
Completion Requirements
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Basic Skills
Written and Oral Communication (12 credits)
English Composition: 5 credits from the University list
Writing: 4 credits met by coursework in the major; remaining credits from the University list
Reasoning (RSN) (5 credits): met by program requirements
Diversity (DIV) (5 credits): courses may also apply to an Areas of Inquiry requirement. Of Special Note: For students admitted to the University prior to autumn quarter 2023, the DIV requirement is 3 credits.
Areas of Inquiry
Arts and Humanities (A&H) and Social Sciences (SSc) (30 credits)
A&H (10 credits)
SSc (10 credits)
Additional credits in A&H or SSc to bring total to 30 credits
Natural Sciences (NSc) (49-51 credits)
Mathematics (18-24 credits) complete one of the following:
MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 207, MATH 208; IND E 315
Additional NSc credits as necessary to reach 49 credits
Major Requirements (87-93 credits)
Engineering Fundamentals (28 credits): CSE 122 (or CSE 142); MSE 170; A A 210; E E 215; CEE 220; M E 230; IND E 250
Industrial Engineering Core (37 credits): IND E 310, IND E 311, IND E 316/STAT 316, IND E 321, IND E 337, IND E 338, IND E 351, IND E 491, IND E 494, IND E 495
Production Requirement (4 credits): IND E 430 or IND E 439
Additional requirements specified below
Grade Requirements: Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in all courses applied to the major, with no grade below 1.0 in these courses.
Additional electives to reach 180 credits
Additional Completion Requirements
Option specific credits (18-24 credits)
Data Science Core (11-14 credits): one of CSE 123, CSE 143, CSE 160, or CSE 163; IND E 427; one of SOC 225, INFO 350, or HCDE 410
Data Science Technical Electives (7-10 credits): At least one class each from approved courses in two of the following three areas: data analytics, data management and data visualization. See adviser for approved list of data science electives.
Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Industrial and systems engineering graduates are proficient in mathematics, sciences, engineering fundamentals, and the use of computers; use a broad knowledge of industrial engineering methods and tools associated with operations research, quality engineering, and human factors; apply engineering design methods and tools to represent, integrate, and solve problems, including the ability to recognize problem context and integrate knowledge and skills from allied disciplines; communicate effectively; and possess the professional characteristics of leadership, ethics, and the ability to motivate and work with others.
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.
Instructional and Research Facilities: Industrial and systems engineering provides designated computing facilities for undergraduate students. Research facilities include the Human Interface Technology Laboratory, the Production Systems Laboratory, the Manufacturing Laboratory, and the Center for Engineering Learning and Teaching.
Honors Options Available: With College Honors (Completion of Honors Core Curriculum and Departmental Honors); With Honors (Completion of Departmental Honors requirements in the major). See adviser for requirements.
Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Students have the opportunity to pursue cooperative and internship programs at the College level through the College's Engineering Co-op Program.
Department Scholarships: ISE offers scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students. All applicants to the BSIE program are considered for these scholarships. Awards are made based on both merit and financial need.
Student Organizations/Associations: Students are actively involved in the UW student chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE); the ISE National Honor Society, Alpha Pi Mu; and the IE Student Advisory Board.