College of Engineering

Industrial and Systems Engineering

ise.vt.edu

University Exemplary Department
G. Don Taylor, Jr., Head and Charles O. Gordon Professor
John Grado Professor: J.G. Casali
John W. Hancock, Jr. Chair: P.E. Torgersen
Paul T. Norton Professor: S.C. Sarin
W. Thomas Rice Professor: H.D. Sherali
John L. Lawrence Professor: F.F. Chen
Professors: M.P. Deisenroth; R. Sturges; K.P. Triantis
Associate Professors: K.P. Ellis; L.K. Harmon; B.M. Kleiner;
C.P. Koelling; J.A. Nachlas; M.A. Nussbaum; J.P. Shewchuk;
T. Smith-Jackson; M.R. Taaffe; E.M. Van Aken
Assistant Professors: K.L. Babski-Reeves; E.K. Bish; L.M.A. Chan; T.E. Lockhart; R. Pasupathy; W. W. Winchester III
Academic Advisor: S. Mook

 ISE students

Overview

    The Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering has three primary objectives relating to its academic mission:

  1. to provide the highest quality education for preparing undergraduate and graduate students for a lifelong learning experience in the rapidly changing field of industrial and systems engineering, and to further prepare these students for future leadership roles in the industrial and systems engineering profession, in business and in industry;
  2. to conduct research toward advancing the frontiers of industrial and systems engineering, supporting the industrial and economic growth of Virginia and the nation, and providing faculty with the latest knowledge and techniques for dissemination in the classroom; and,
  3. by drawing upon state-of-the-art methods and contemporary knowledge to provide industrial and systems engineering services for the engineering profession, industry, and society.

    Industrial and systems engineering is a broad field concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment. The curriculum explicitly provides course work useful in dealing not only with the physical elements of systems, but also with organizational, economic, and human aspects. Such problems are found in industry, as well as in governmental agencies and service organizations, e.g., manufacturing facilities, hospitals, airlines, railroads, banks, and management consulting firms. In all of these capacities, the industrial engineer is concerned with improving productivity and quality, and providing safe and efficient working conditions.

    The goal of the undergraduate industrial and systems engineering program is to provide the proper education and skills for students to enable them to successfully pursue careers in industrial engineering or, if qualified, to continue on to graduate study.

    Industrial and systems engineering emphasizes instruction in fundamental engineering principles based on the physical sciences, engineering sciences, and mathematics. These principles are applied in practical design experiences throughout the undergraduate curriculum.

    Course work in the physical and chemical sciences and mathematics provides a solid background for basic engineering science courses, which in turn support more focused courses in industrial engineering, such as topics in operations research, production/manufacturing systems, ergonomics and safety, and engineering management. In all these areas, advanced computer techniques are utilized.

    Students gain valuable hands-on, laboratory experience in manufacturing processes, work methods, computer simulation, and human factors engineering. This experience, combined with the course work described above, provides a firm foundation for the capstone design course during the senior year.

    Laboratory facilities associated with the undergraduate curriculum include the ISE Computer Laboratory, which contains state of the art computers and printers to support the special computer needs of industrial and systems engineering students that are not available through access to personal computers or in other laboratories; the Student Design Center, with computer support and other resource material for student design projects; the Manufacturing Systems Engineering Laboratories, which contain robotics and automation equipment, conventional and numerically controlled machine tools, and welding and foundry facilities; the Work Methods Laboratory, which is equipped for practice in work measurement, motion economy and time study; and the Human Factors Laboratory, which is used for in-class demonstrations, exercises and experiments related to psychophysics, human audition, human vision, manual control, virtual reality, and work station design.

    The department participates in the Cooperative Education Program, in which qualified students may alternate semesters of study with semesters of professional employment.

    Graduate programs leading to the M. Engr., M.S., and Ph.D. are offered (see Graduate Catalog). The graduate programs include concentrations in manufacturing systems, human factors and safety, operations research, and management systems. The ISE department also coordinates on- and off-campus master's degree programs in systems engineering (M.S.) and engineering administration (M.E.A.)

Program Outcomes and Objectives

    Upon graduation, ISE students at Virginia Tech will have achieved the following outcomes:

  • Possess a broad education in the industrial engineering field with coverage of manufacturing systems, operations research, human factors and ergonomics, and management systems supported by a foundation in mathematical, physical, and social sciences:
    • Possess the ability to solve structure and unstructured industrial engineering problems, to model and systems using appropriate tools/techniques and data, to synthesize and design potential solutions, to select appropriate solutions, to implement solutions effectively, and to evaluate the impact of solutions in the broader context of the organization and society.
    • Possess the ability to effectively present and sell their solutions to a variety of audiences and to do so in the context of written, oral, visual, and electronic media.
    • Demonstrate professionalism, good citizenship, and ethical behavior.
    • Possess the ability to work collaboratively in teams using communication technology where appropriate and necessary.
  • Be prepared for entry-level industrial engineering positions in any type of organization (manufacturing, service, or government).
  • Be prepared for graduate study in the field of industrial engineering or related fields.

Within 3-5 years of graduation, ISE graduates from Virginia Tech will have achieved the following objectives:

  • Created value through the modeling, analysis, design, selection, and implementation of integrated solutions using appropriate methodologies and tools to improve performance (quality, productivity, safety, efficiency, and/or speed) of work systems.
  • Provided leadership and worked effectively in collaborative team environments with others of varying backgrounds and organizational levels.
  • Pursued graduate study in the field of industrial engineering or related fields.

Program Requirements

Second Year
First Semester
PHYS 2306: Foundations of Phys II w/Lab 4
MATH 2224: Multivariable Calculus 3
ISE 2014: Engineering Economy 2
ENGE 2314: Eng. Problem Solving w/ C++ 2
ENGE 2344: Computer-Aided Drafting 1
ESM 2104: Statics 3
Credits
 15
Second Semester
MATH 2214: Differential Equations 3
STAT 4105: Theoretical Statistics 3
ISE 2204: Manufacturing Processes 2
ISE 2214: Manufacturing Processes lab 1
ISE 2404: Deterministic Operations Research 3
ESM 2304: Dynamics 3
MSE 2034: Materials Engineering 3
Credits
 18
Third Year
First Semester
STAT 4706: Statistics for Engineers 3
ISE 3014: Work Measurement and Methods Engr. 3
ISE 3414: Probabilistic Operations Research 3
ISE 3614: Intro to Human Factors Engineering 3
ECE 3054: Electrical Theory 3
Engineering Science Elective 3
Credits
 18
Second Semester
ISE 3214: Facility Planning and Material Handling 3
ISE 3424: Discrete-Event Computer Simulation 3
ISE 3624: Industrial Ergonomics 3
Engineering Science Elective 3
Technical Elective 3
Non-Technical Elective 3
Credits
 18
Fourth Year
First Semester
ISE 4005: Project Management and Sys. Design 3
ISE 4204: Prod. Planning and Inventory Control 3
ISE 4404: Statistical Quality Control 3
ISE Technical Elective 3
Humanities Elective (Core Area 2) 3
Social Science Elective (Core Area 3) 3
Credits
 18
Second Semester
ISE 4006: Project Management and Sys. Design 2
ISE 4304: Global Issues in Indus. Mgt. 3
ISE Technical Elective 3
Technical Elective 3
Non-Technical Elective 3
Social Science Elective (Core Area 3) 3
Credits
 17

    Comments: a) A C- or better grade must be attained in core ISE prerequisite courses before proceeding into the next course. (b) The undergraduate degree requirements are currently under revision. For the latest information, contact the ISE department at 540/231-6656.

Undergraduate Course Descriptions (ISE)

2014: ENGINEERING ECONOMY
Concepts and techniques of analysis for evaluating the worth of products, systems, structures, and services in relation to their cost. Economic and cost concepts, calculating economic equivalence, comparison of alternatives, replacement economy, economic optimization in design and operations, and after-tax analysis. Pre: ENGE 1024. (2H,2C)

2204: MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
Survey of manufacturing processes, including casting, forming, machining, joining, and nontraditional processes such as laser and electrical discharge machining. Emphasis on process capabilities and limitations and design for manufacturability. Also includes topics in product design, material selection, process planning, and manufacturing automation. Pre: ENGE 1104 or ENGE 1114. (2H,2C) I,II.

2214: MANUFACTURING PROCESSES LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises and experimentation in manufacturing processes. Emphasis on metrology, casting and molding, forming, machining, welding and computer-aided manufacturing. Pre: ENGE 1104 or ENGE 1114. (3L,1C) I,II.

2404: DETERMINISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH
Deterministic operations research modeling concepts; linear programming modeling, assumptions and algorithms, duality and sensitivity analysis with economic interpretation; transportation and assignment problems; convexity issues, optimality conditions for continuous unconstrained and constrained nonlinear optimization problems, numerical optimization methods; and discrete optimization concepts. Co: MATH 2224. (3H,3C) II,III.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

2994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

3004: INDUSTRIAL COST CONTROL
Fundamentals of general and cost accounting practices applied to manufacturing and service organizations. Cost accounting, standard cost determination, cost and budgetary control systems. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite ISE 2014. Pre: 2014. (3H,3C) II.

3014: WORK MEASUREMENT AND METHODS ENGINEERING
Survey of methods for assessing and improving performance of individuals and groups in organizations. Techniques includes various basic industrial engineering tools, work analysis, data acquisition and application, performance evaluation and appraisal, and work measurement procedures. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisites ISE 2204 and 2214. Pre: (2204 or 2214), (STAT 4105). (2H,3L,3C) I,III.

3214: FACILITY PLANNING AND MATERIAL HANDLING
Theory and concepts involved in model formulation for design and analysis of facility plans. Includes facility layout, facility location and material handling system design. Application of quantitative tools and techniques for flow analysis, layout planning, and automated material handling system design. A grade of C- or better required in ISE prerequisites 2014, 2404, and 3414. Pre: 2014, 2404, 3414, ENGE 2344. Co: 3424. (3H,3C) II,IV.

3414: PROBABILISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH
This course introduces probability models used to investigate the behavior of industrial systems. The major topics include conditioning, elementary counting processes and Markov chains. Emphasis is on the use of these tools to model queues, inventories, process behavior and equipment reliability. Pre: ENGE 2314, MATH 2214, STAT 4105. (3H,3C) I,III.

3424: DISCRETE-EVENT COMPUTER SIMULATION
Introduction to the analysis of systems through discrete simulation. Topics include an introduction to systems analysis and modeling, random variable generation, model development, and testing and problem analysis through simulation. A grade of C- or better required in ISE prerequisite 3414. Pre: 3414. Co: STAT 4706. (2H,3L,3C) II,IV.

3614: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING
Survey of human factors engineering emphasizing the systems approach to workplace and machine design. Discussion of basic human factors research and design methods, visual processes and design methods, selection of statistical techniques for application to human factors data, visual and auditory processes, display and control design and effects of environmental stressors on humans. Pre: STAT 4105. (2H,3L,3C) I,IV.

3624: INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS
Introduction to ergonomics with an emphasis on people at work. Discussion of ergonomic methods for measurement, assessment, and evaluation, with major topics including manual materials handling, cumulative trauma disorders, environmental stresses, safety, and legal issues. A grade of C- or better required in ISE prerequisite 3014. I,II. Pre: 3014, ESM 2104. (3H,3C)

4004: THEORY OF ORGANIZATION
A theory of cooperative behavior in formal organizations, including the structure and elements of formal organizations. The executive process and the nature of executive responsibility also are examined. I, II. (3H,3C)

4005-4006: PROJECT MANAGEMENT & SYSTEM DESIGN
The capstone design sequence for ISE majors. Survey of methods, tools and techniques used to plan, communicate, manage and control projects. Students work in teams to develop a proposal for and implement an industrial engineering design project for actual manufacturing or service industry clients. A grade of C- or better required in ISE prerequisites 3214 and 3424. Pre: 3214, 3424 for 4005; 4005 for 4006. Co: 3624, 4204 for 4005. 4005: (3H,3C) 4006: (2H,2C)

4015,4016: MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS THEORY, APPLICATIONS, AND DESIGN
Systems approach to management, domains of responsibility, structured and synergistic management tools, management system model, contextual frameworks, information portrayal, automation objectives model, evaluation, shared information processing, information modelling. A management process for definition, measurement, evaluation and control, the organization as an information processor, corporate culture, scoping agreements, schemas and management elements, structured design. (3H,3C) 4015: I; 4016: structured design.

4204: PRODUCTION PLANNING AND INVENTORY CONTROL
Theory and concepts involved in model formulation for analysis and control of production processes. Systems for planning and controlling production and inventory including material requirements planning (MRP), just-in-time (JIT), and synchronous production systems. A grade of C- or better is required in prerequisite ISE 2404. I. Pre: 2404, STAT 4105. (3H,3C)

4234: MODELING AND SIMULATION LANGUAGES
Modeling of industrial situations and introduction to the use of simulation languages. Several simulation languages commonly used for industrial engineering applications such as GPSS, SLAM, and SIMAN will be covered. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite ISE 3424. Pre: 3424. (3H,3C)

4244: FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING
Concepts and techniques for modeling, designing, and implementing Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) systems. Emphasis on relational databases and communications networks and their use in modern manufacturing enterprises. Fundamentals and role of Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) in CIM systems. A grade of C- or better required in ISE prerequisites 2204, 2214 and 4204. Pre: (2204 or 2214), (4204). (3H,3C)

4264: INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION
A survey of the various technologies employed in industrial automation. This includes an emphasis on industrial applications of robotics, machine vision, and programmable controllers, as well as an investigation into problems in the area of CAD/CAM integration. Examination of the components commonly employed in automation systems, their aggregation and related production process design. Laboratory work is required. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisites ISE 2204 or 2214. Pre: 2204 or 2214. (2H,3L,3C)

4304: GLOBAL ISSUES IN INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT
Industrial management topics of current interest explored from a global perspective. Current domestic and international challenges resulting from a global marketplace and the proliferation of information and technology. Industrial management and organizational performance, total quality management, business process re-engineering, leadership, organizational change, role of communication and information, and ethics. Examination and comparison across international boundaries. (3H,3C) II.

4404: STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL
Application of statistical methods and probability models to the monitoring and control of product quality. Techniques for acceptance sampling by variables and attributes are presented. Shewhart control charts for both classes of quality characteristics are examined in depth. The motivation for each method, its theoretical development, and its application are presented. The focus is upon developing an ability to design effective quality control procedures. Pre: STAT 4706. (3H,3C) I.

4414: INDUSTRIAL QUALITY CONTROL
Implementation of statistical quality control techniques in an industrial setting. Development and analysis of cost models for use in the design of optimal quality control plans. Also included are new techniques, advanced quality control models, and an examination of the role of industrial statistics in the overall product quality assurance function. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite Pre: 4404. (3H,3C) ISE 4404.

4424: LOGISTICS ENGINEERING
Introduction to the key issues in the integrated support of a product of process. Synthesis of topics from earlier studies to provide a cohesive approach to their applications. Logistics engineering provides a survey of product support issues and methods of resolving them within the context of the overall production activity. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite ISE 3414. Pre: 3414. (3H,3C)

4624: WORK PHYSIOLOGY
Anthropometry, skeletal system, biomechanics, sensorimotor control, muscles, respiration, circulation, metabolism, climate. Ergonomic design of task, equipment, and environment. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite ISE 3614. Pre: 3614. (3H,3C)

4644: OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HAZARD CONTROL
Survey of occupational safety. Topics include: history of occupational safety; hazard sources related to humans, environment, and machines; engineering management of hazards. A grade of C- or better required in prerequisite Pre: 3614. (3H,3C) ISE 3614. II.

4654: PRINCIPLES OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
Introduction to the foundations of the field of Industrial Hygiene, that discipline devoted to the anticipation, recognition, measurement, evaluation, and control of occupational health hazards. Includes biological (e.g. microbial agents, allergens), chemical (e.g. solvents, carcinogens, dusts), and physical (e.g. radiation , temperature) hazards. Overview of control of health hazards, such as personal protective equipment, administrative controls, and engineering controls. Will involve lecture and participatory "case-study" activities. Will provide ample opportunity for hands-on use of monitoring equipment, protective equipment and controls testing devices. II. (3H,3C)

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

TOP