Program Overview

Undergraduate Programs in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering

The industrial engineering program at Penn State is consistently ranked as one of the top programs in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.

Our curriculum provides a broad-based education in human factors and ergonomics, manufacturing, operations research, and production, supply chain, and service engineering.

The program provides a strong foundation for students through mathematics, physical, and engineering sciences, along with hands-on laboratory and industrial experiences, to become professional component and versatile industrial engineers.

Our graduates are trained to excel in both a traditional manufacturing environment and in a much broader global context.

Industrial engineers from Penn State have established successful careers in financial services, communications, information technology, transportation, health care, consulting, and academia.

Students have access to speakers, career fairs, plant tours, conferences, competitions, professional contacts, leadership opportunities, and social events.

We also work with a number of professional industrial engineering societies to provide students with opportunities to explore industrial engineering beyond the classroom and to network with Penn State industrial engineering alumni.

What is an industrial engineer?

Industrial engineers design integrated systems and processes to improve productivity, safety, and quality. Industrial engineers determine how to do things better through eliminating waste of time, materials, and money. Rooted in the sciences of engineering, the analysis of systems, and the management of people, industrial engineers work to improve a wide variety of systems, including manufacturing consumer products, logistics, financial operations, health care systems, and amusement park operations. Industrial engineers are responsible for refining the effectiveness and the competitiveness of an organization.

Examples of career opportunities:

• Analyzing and optimizing manufacturing and service systems
• Developing and improving plant layouts to maximize efficient use of space, equipment, and labor
• Implementing Lean Manufacturing/Six Sigma tools to improve quality and efficiency
• Applying industrial engineering techniques to solve complex business problems
• Implementing engineering initiatives to help drive efficiency and service within a distribution center or supply chain
• Applying analytics and engineering management concepts in a health care environment

Related Minors, Certificates, and Associate Degrees

• Minor in Information Sciences and Technology for Industrial Engineering
• Minor in Service Enterprise Engineering
• Minor in Six Sigma
• Explore College of Engineering Minors

Curriculum and Academic Plan

The curriculum guide and sample academic plan are available for students to plan their course of study.

Expected Student Outcomes

The expected student outcomes for the industrial engineering program are designed to ensure that graduates are well-prepared for their careers.

What is industrial engineering?

Industrial engineering is a field of study that focuses on the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, equipment, and energy. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skills in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences, together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design, to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems.