Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering

Design, control and improve systems with Wayne State University's bachelor of science in industrial engineering. Studying part-time or full-time, you will build foundational knowledge and gain extensive hands-on experience to prepare for key roles in sectors from manufacturing to health care to information management and beyond.

 

 

Program highlights

• Rolling admissions — apply any time!
• Easily transfer from community college, high school and pre-professional programs
• Part- and full-time study options
• Internships and co-op opportunities
• Affordable flat-rate tuition
• ABET-accredited

What is industrial and systems engineering?

Industrial engineers are big-picture thinkers. To understand and improve relationships between people, technology and resources, they study system structures, apply analytical approaches, model processes, optimize systems and eliminate waste in industries like manufacturing, health care, automation, data science, supply chain and transportation.

Learn more about industrial engineering.

Industrial engineering program learning outcomes

When you graduate with a B.S. in industrial engineering from Wayne State, you will be able to:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. 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.
3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. 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.
5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program curriculum and courses

Develop a foundation in pre-professional engineering courses and general education before narrowing your interests in your third and fourth years. You can complete the industrial engineering bachelor's degree on a full- or part-time basis: it generally takes four to six years to complete the 121 credits necessary for graduation.

All industrial engineering majors study technical communication, systems simulation, data science and analysis, principles of quality control, operations research, project management, and production control. You'll build out your expertise in elective topics like CAD/CAM, integrated product development, human factors engineering, digital automation and more. 

Review the industrial engineering program curriculum.

Experiential learning

A top-quality engineering program extends beyond textbooks and written exams. Wayne State University's hands-on curriculum empowers you to apply your learning in physical and computer labs, internships with industry leaders, co-op placements and a cumulative year-long capstone engineering design project. 

From your first semester through graduation, you'll practice ideating, collaborating, designing, testing and presenting your concepts and solutions.

Learn more about how Wayne State prepares you for the real world.

Guided by distinguished faculty 

Wayne State's industrial engineering faculty are dedicated teachers, thoughtful mentors and nationally recognized experts equipped with real-world experience. 

In your courses and through collaborative student-faculty research projects, you will learn from leaders in artificial intelligence, big data and business analytics, health care systems engineering, product development and quality control, smart manufacturing, systems engineering, supply chain logistics, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and more. They can also connect you to robust professional networks with organizations like Ford Motor Company, Hikma and Henry Ford Health Systems. 

Meet our industrial engineering faculty.

Industrial engineering majors career outlook

Seize opportunities in a fast-growing, consistently in-demand field. Industrial engineers' integrative work between people, materials, machines and resources is crucial to both short- and long-term system functionality. 

When you graduate with an industrial engineering bachelor's degree, you will be a crucial contributor to the success of manufacturing operations, waste management, occupational safety and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for industrial engineers is projected to grow by 10% over the next decade, and salaries for these positions average over $95,000 per year. 

Take on roles like:

• Quality engineer
• Manufacturing engineer
• Process engineer
• Industrial engineer
• Industrial designer
• Mechanical designer
• Supply chain analyst
• Occupational health and safety manager

Tuition and cost

Invest in an affordable and highly regarded industrial engineering bachelor's degree through Wayne State's flat tuition rate structure, one of the most cost-effective tuition programs among Michigan's best universities. 

You'll also have access to generous financial aid opportunities such as College of Engineering scholarships, first-year and transfer student scholarships, grants, loans, and financial partnerships with Detroit agencies and foundations.

Estimate your total costs and savings with our net price calculator.

Quality guaranteed - ABET accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering program at Wayne State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Industrial and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Why Accreditation Matters 

Learn more about Wayne State University's industrial engineering program ABET accreditation.

Admission requirements

All students eligible for admission to Wayne State University are also eligible for admission to the College of Engineering. Reflecting Wayne State University's urban mission and commitment to providing opportunities for students in the southeastern Michigan region, the university operates a rolling admissions policy, allowing qualified students to be admitted up to the start of the semester in which they wish to enroll. The admissions process involves a holistic review to offer students the best chance to pursue university-level education.

Learn more about Admissions.

Professional Engineering Program 

A select number of freshmen and a significant number of transfer students are admitted directly into the professional engineering program of their choice. Requirements for direct admission are as follows:

• Freshmen:
  • Minimum Math ACT score of 26 (SAT Math score of 650) - optional
  • Placement into MAT 2010 (Calculus 1), CHM 1125/1130 (General Chemistry for Engineers and Lab) based on math and chemistry placement exams, and ENG 1020 (Introductory College Writing) or higher
• Transfer students:
  • Minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0, overall and in science and math courses
  • Completion of the equivalent of MAT 2010, 2020, 2030 (Calculus 1-3); CHM 1125/1130 (General Chemistry for Engineers with lab); PHY 2175, 2185 (General Physics); and ENG 1020 (Basic Composition) with no grade lower than a C
• From another pre-professional program:
  • Completion of pre-professional courses with a GPA of 2.5 or above and no grade lower than a C-.

Students admitted directly to the professional program must maintain a GPA above 2.5. Failure to do so results in a transfer to the pre-professional program, where they must meet the general requirements for advancement to professional status.

Pre-professional Industrial Engineering Program

In order to be admitted to the pre-professional engineering program, students must meet one of the following criteria:

• Freshmen:
  • Math ACT score of 21 (SAT Math score of 530) - optional
  • Placement into MAT 1800 (Pre-calculus), CHM 1125/1130 (General Chemistry for Engineers and Lab) based on math and chemistry placement exams, and ENG 1020 (Introductory College Writing) or higher
• Transfer students:
  • Minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.5
  • Placement into MAT 1800 (Pre-calculus), CHM 1125/1130 (General Chemistry for Engineers and Lab) , and ENG 1020 (Introductory College Writing) or higher, based on transfer credit or math and chemistry placement exams
  • Completion of at least 24 college-level credits

Pre-professional students must complete the following sequence of courses, either at Wayne State or through accepted transfer credit, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and no grade lower than a C- to advance to the professional program:

• Math:  MAT 2010, 2020, 2030 (Calculus 1 through 3)
• Chemistry: CHM 1125/1130 (General Chemistry for Engineers with lab)
• Physics:  PHY 2175, 2185 (University Physics for Engineers 1, 2)
• English: ENG 1020 (Introductory College Writing)
• Basic Engineering: BE 1200 (Design in Engineering), BE 1300/1310 (Materials Science for Engineering Applications with lab)

Apply to the B.S. in industrial engineering degree program

Centered on active learning and flexible full- or part-time study options, Wayne State University's ABET-accredited bachelor of science in industrial engineering program bolsters your long-term success with networks, mentors and highly sought-after professional experience.