Program Overview

Introduction to the Industrial and Systems Engineering Program

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers a comprehensive undergraduate program in Industrial and Systems Engineering, preparing students for successful careers in the field. This program is designed to equip students with a strong foundation in engineering principles and critical thinking skills, enabling them to make meaningful contributions in an evolving global landscape.

Program Overview

Through a blend of rigorous course curriculum, hands-on research opportunities, and public service engagement, students develop a strong foundation in engineering principles and critical thinking skills. The program provides access to undergraduate research, co-ops, and internships with industry partners, reinforcing classroom learning, clarifying career interests, and stimulating interest in graduate study.

Accreditation

The industrial engineering undergraduate degree program is accredited by ABET.

Why Study Industrial Engineering

Industrial Engineering is a multidisciplinary and evolving field focusing on efficiency and sustainability, where engineers create real-world impacts in high-earning jobs. The program prepares students for a future in industrial engineering, with possibilities for thinking outside the box, honing problem-solving skills, growing leadership and management potential, and creating strong industry connections.

Minors

The program offers the following minors:

• Reliability and Maintainability Engineering Minor
• Entrepreneurship Minor
• Engineering Management Minor
• Data Science Minor

Five-year BS/MS Program

Qualified students can join the five-year BS/MS program to work on completing their MS while still working toward their bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.

Curriculum

Students pursuing a BS in Industrial Engineering will have the opportunity to take courses in diverse areas. Some of the required courses include:

IE 304: Introduction to Human Factors Engineering

Human capabilities and limitations affecting work, workplace, and work environment design. Emphasis on human factors methodology, human input requirements, human outputs, the design of human-machine interfaces, the analysis of stress on performance, and environmental factors such as noise, lighting, and atmospheric conditions. Focus on designing the task to fit the person.

IE 402: Production System Planning and Control

Theory and application of forecasting systems, including regression and time series models. Independent demand inventory models, including development of safety stock. All modules of Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) Systems. Master production scheduling, resource requirements planning, bill of material and inventory file structures, material requirements planning, capacity planning, shop floor and purchase order control. Overview of just-in-time inventory concepts and MRP’s role in manufacturing automation.

IE 427: Introduction to Lean Systems

Introduces an engineering-based framework to implement process and system improvements within both the manufacturing and service enterprises. The students will be introduced to the basic concepts of lean systems, including facility design and six sigma. The focus of the course will be to enable students to design complex processes and systems based on the physical system and the associated information system. Activities will include case studies, industry-based projects, and the preparation of engineering reports.

IE 404/422: Industrial Engineering Design

Current real-world problems will be drawn from local production and service organizations and presented by personnel from these organizations. Senior industrial engineering student teams will solve these real-world problems under the guidance of their instructor using industrial engineering methodology. These problems emphasize problem definitions, analysis, and presentation with considerations for engineering standards and realistic economic, environmental, ethical, safety, social, political, and other pertinent constraints.