University of Arkansas

The mission of the industrial engineering department at the University of Arkansas is to be a nationally competitive, student-centered industrial engineering program serving Arkansas and the world through undergraduate and graduate studies and leading-edge research programs.

Industrial engineers are concerned with improving organized activity. The physical arrangement of people, equipment, and material significantly influences the effectiveness of any organization – whether the organization is industrial, governmental, or commercial.

Today’s industrial engineers develop applications of new processing automation and control technology; install data processing systems, performance measures and standards, job evaluation and wage and salary programs; research new products and product applications; devise ways to improve productivity through application of technology and human factors; select operating processes and methods to accomplish a given task using proper tools and equipment; design facilities, management systems, operations procedures, storage systems; improve allocation of resources, planning and control systems for distribution of goods and services, production, inventory, quality and plant maintenance; enhance plant environment and the quality of working life; evaluate reliability and quality performance; implement office systems, procedures, and policies; analyze complex business problems through operations research; conduct long-range organization studies, plant location surveys, system effectiveness studies; and study potential markets for goods and services, raw material sources, labor supply, energy resources, financing and taxes.

Industrial engineers integrate engineering skills with mathematics and computer science tools, providing systematic ways to maximize productivity and quality while minimizing time and cost.

Completion of the degree requirements provides graduates with the following learning outcomes:

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
• An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
• An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
• An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

The goal of the Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Program at the University of Arkansas is to prepare men and women for professional careers and graduate studies in Industrial Engineering. We provide a foundation in mathematics, science, humanities and social sciences, engineering science, and engineering design to produce Industrial Engineers with the intellectual, technical, and professional competence to develop, implement, and manage industrial engineering solutions to complex problems in industry, government, and society.

The program's objectives have been developed to address the needs of the industrial engineering constituencies and to be consistent with and supportive of the department's mission and programmatic goals. The IE program educational objectives represent and describe the expected accomplishments of graduates resulting from participation within the program within the first few years after graduation. The program’s objectives have been developed to address the needs of departmental constituencies and to be consistent with and support the mission and programmatic goals.

Within 3-5 years of graduation, graduates of the U of A undergraduate program in industrial engineering will have:

1. Successfully applied core industrial engineering knowledge and skills for industrial or public sector organizations.
2. Successfully pursued advanced professional degrees, graduate studies in industrial engineering, professional training, or engineering certification.
3. Demonstrated professional and intellectual growth as managers and leaders in industrial engineering, society, and their communities.