At the undergraduate level, we offer a BS degree in IE. The BSIE program is the second largest in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science in terms of the number of students. We graduate about 70 seniors per year, which is also the second largest among all engineering departments. Nearly a third of these students are women. The BSIE program is ABET (Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology) accredited.
More than half of our BS graduates go into management consulting; some work for investment banks (as financial analysts) and for manufacturing firms (as production and quality control engineers). Still others work in the areas of logistics, supply chain management and distribution networks for retail stores and package delivery companies. Most of our graduates go on to obtain an MBA for which an IE background is a great asset.
BSIE Curriculum
Northwestern's academic year operates on a 3-quarter system. Students complete 12 courses per year by taking 4 per quarter. To obtain the Bachelor of Science degree, a total of 48 courses are required. All McCormick School engineering students begin their engineering studies with the 4-quarter sequence of Engineering Analysis and the 2-quarter sequence of Engineering Design and Communications. Coursework in the major area usually begins in the sophomore year. (see Requirements,Suggested 4-Year Plan, Concentrations and Technical Electives, Design in the Curriculum)
Course work in industrial engineering and management sciences covers these core areas:
- probability and statistics
- operations research
- applied behavioral science
- engineering economy
- computer programming and data management
Seven technical electives complete the 16-course major program.
A concentration option is also available. Concentrations are available in the following areas:
- Economics and Finance
- General Business Management
- Industrial Behavioral Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences/Graduate Research
- Production and Logistics
- Statistics and Quality Control
A required two-quarter senior capstone design project integrates the skills the student has learned in order to solve a real-world problem.
NOTE: Sophomore, junior, and senior IEMS majors have the option of adhering to last year's curriculum.
For information regarding the ABET requirements and objectives see the ABET Objectives Sheet.
Career Plans
Many students choose the BSIE degree as the basis for graduate study of law, business, engineering, management science, mathematics, social sciences, and medicine. (see the Current Undergraduate Section for this information)
Joint Programs
Currently, there are joint programs between the McCormick School of Engineering and other NU schools. (see Kellogg Graduate School of Management, School of Law, School of Education and Social Policy, Medill School of Journalism, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, School of Music, Medical School)
The industrial engineering undergraduate program is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology.
Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE)
The IE/MS Department encourages its students to become a true professional in the industrial engineering discipline! We suggest they become members of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, participate in the IIE student chapter or other student groups, attend industry-related events, and, especially, establish an on-going relationship with the IE/MS faculty. (see American Society for Engineering Education, National Engineers Week)
