Industrial engineers formulate the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems involving people, materials, and equipment. Industrial engineers must understand the nature of materials and equipment, as well as the transformation process that is necessary for the creation of products and services.

The curriculum covers not only the physical aspects of systems, but also the organizational, economic, and human aspects, with a special focus on the interface of people with systems. Course work emphasizes operations research, manufacturing systems engineering, human factors engineering, and management systems engineering.

Graduates are adept at solving problems found in industry, service organizations, and government agencies.