Industrial and Systems Engineering
Head and Professor: E.M. Van Aken (Interim)
Associate Department Head and Undergraduate Program Director: J.P. Shewchuk
Assistant Head and Graduate Program Director: M.A. Nussbaum
Charles O. Gordon Professor: G. Don Taylor, Jr.
John Grado Professor: J.G. Casali
Hal G. Prillaman Professor: M.A. Nussbaum
Paul T. Norton Professor: S.C. Sarin
Ralph H. Bogle Professor: B.M. Kleiner
John Lawrence Professor: K.P. Triantis
Rolls-Royce Commonwealth Professor of Advanced Manufacturing: J.A. Camelio
Professors: J.A. Camelio, J.G. Casali, B.M. Kleiner, M.A. Nussbaum, S.C. Sarin, R.H. Sturges, G. Don Taylor Jr., K.P. Triantis, and E.M. Van Aken
Associate Professors: D.R. Bish, E.K. Bish, C. A. Duncan (Visiting), K.P. Ellis, J.L. Gabbard, L.K. Harmon, Z. Kong, C.P. Koelling, J.A. Nachlas, J.P. Shewchuk, and M.R. Taaffe
Assistant Professors: M. Bansal, X. Chen, N. Ghaffarzadegan, R. Hildebrand, N. Hosseinichimeh, R. Jin, B. Johnson, N. Lau, M. Madigan, A. Salado, D. Srinivasan, and W. Xie
Instructor: N. Cherbaka
Faculty Affiliates: M. Perez and D. Dickerson
Adjunct Faculty: R. Edmison, L. Franklin, J. Godfrey, R. Groesbeck, K. Lee, J. Meredith, E. Rashedi, and L. Travis
Professors Emeritus: B.S. Blanchard, M.P. Deisenroth, W.J. Fabrycky, P.T. Kemmerling, K.H. E. Kroemer, H.A. Kurstedt, J.A. Nachlas, D. L. Price, J.W. Schmidt Jr., H.D. Sherali, H.L. Snyder, W.G. Sullivan, W.W. Wierwille, and R.C. Williges
Associate Professors Emeritus: P. Ghare and R.E. Taylor
Academic Advisors: J. Vest and P. Van Curen
Web: www.ise.vt.edu
Overview
The Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering advances the discipline and imparts knowledge to students, peers and practitioners. In an environment that fosters leadership, achievement, and diversity, we:
- Prepare undergraduate and graduate students for life-long success and leadership in the profession, in industry, and in higher education;
- Conduct and disseminate research that promotes the economic prosperity and well-being of Virginia and the nation; and
- Provide valuable services to industry, society, and the ISE profession.
Industrial and systems engineering is one of the most diverse fields in engineering. ISE is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated work systems of people, materials, equipment and technology, processes, information, and capital. The industrial engineer is concerned with creating value and improving performance of integrated systems, whether that involves improving quality and productivity, reducing costs and non-value adding activities, improving customer satisfaction, or improving worker safety.
The applications for industrial engineering capabilities include industry, government, and service organizations. Graduates of the ISE program at Virginia Tech work in manufacturing facilities, distribution warehouses, hospitals, airlines, railroads, banks, amusement parks, the military, federal government, and management consulting firms. The boundaries of where IEs make contributions are limitless.
The mission of the ISE Undergraduate Program is to prepare industrial and systems engineering students to create value for organizations, the profession, and society. We achieve this mission by recruiting, retaining, and educating high quality and diverse students and by creating a rigorous and collegial environment enabling students to learn industrial engineering methods and tools, built upon a foundation of mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences, and to apply them in any global organizational setting. Students are able to achieve academic and professional success through opportunities to participate in various educational experiences, to develop capabilities as future leaders, and to embark on a lifelong journey of professional development and learning.
Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes
The ISE faculty, with input from our external Advisory Board, employers, and students, have defined the following Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) and Student Outcomes for our Undergraduate Program. PEOs are statements that describe the expected accomplishments of ISE graduates within 3-5 years after graduation. Student Outcomes are statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do at the time of graduation.
Program Educational Objectives: Within 3-5 years of graduation, ISE alumni will have:
- Created value by applying the appropriate industrial and systems engineering tools to design/redesign integrated systems/processes, solve problems, implement innovative solutions, and improve organizational outcomes.
- Provided formal and informal project, administrative, or technical leadership.
- Pursued professional development through graduate study, professional certification, or continuing education.
- Communicated effectively using written, oral, and visual media adapted to different audiences and stakeholders.
- Worked effectively in cross-functional team environments comprised of members with varying organizational backgrounds, positions, and geographic locations.
- Served the profession, community, and society as exemplified in our motto Ut Prosim.
Student Outcomes: At the time of graduation, ISE students will have the:
- Ability to apply computational and industrial engineering tools and techniques encompassing manufacturing systems, operations research, human factors and ergonomics, and management systems.
- Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and physical and social sciences to IE problems.
- Ability to identify, formulate, and solve structured and unstructured IE problems.
- Ability to model, analyze, and evaluate work systems and processes, using appropriate experimental design, measurement tools/techniques, and data.
- Ability to generate and evaluate alternatives to design an integrated work system or process through a systems perspective.
- Ability to evaluate the impact of IE solutions in the broader context of the organization and society, with an appreciation of different cultures and perspectives.
- Knowledge of the role of industrial engineers in contemporary issues.
- Ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences and using written, oral, and visual media.
- Understanding of professionalism, good citizenship, and ethical behavior.
- Ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams.
- Understanding of the need for continued professional development and ability to engage in life-long learning.
The Industrial and Systems Engineering program at Virginia Tech is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
Curriculum
The ISE curriculum explicitly encompasses coursework useful in addressing not only the technical elements of work systems, but also the organizational, economic, and human elements. Our aim is to provide graduates with the knowledge and capabilities to enable them to successfully pursue careers in industrial engineering or, if qualified, to continue on to graduate study.
ISE emphasizes instruction in fundamental engineering principles based on the physical sciences, engineering sciences, mathematics, and statistics. 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, covering topics in operations research, manufacturing systems engineering, human factors engineering and ergonomics, and management systems engineering. In all these areas, analysis and design activities are supported by modern computing and software tools taught in the curriculum.
Students gain valuable hands-on experience in multiple areas of our curriculum in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities associated with the undergraduate program. These include the ISE Computer Laboratory, which contains computers and printers to support the needs and requirements of ISE students that are not available through access to personal computers or in other laboratories; the Senior Design Center, with computer support and other resource material for student design projects; the Harris Manufacturing Processes Laboratories, which contain robotics and automation equipment, machining equipment, conventional and numerically controlled machine tools, and welding and foundry facilities; the Human Factors Work Measurement and Methods Engineering Laboratory, which is equipped and used for in-class exercises and experiments in work measurement, motion economy and time study, psychophysics, human audition and vision, and work station design. Students also have the opportunity to work on Undergraduate Research with faculty and graduate students in the many ISE research labs and groups.
The capstone course in the ISE Undergraduate Program is a two-semester class, ISE 4005-6 Project Management & System Design (also referred to as "Senior Design"), where students work in project teams with an external company sponsor to solve a real-world problem. This experience provides ISE students with actual project experience that develops technical and professional skills, such as teamwork, communication, project management, and life-long learning skills, in addition to developing capabilities in applying IE tools and techniques. Student project teams present their project findings at our annual Senior Design Symposium attended by company sponsors and the ISE Advisory Board.
For the 2018 graduation requirements, the course work totals 133 hours. Electives provide students with the opportunity to explore other areas of engineering, as well as cultural, societal and creative experiences, which makes for a well-rounded, diverse, and globally-aware engineer.
The ISE program also provides students with the opportunity to pursue minors, such as a Business Minor, Green Engineering Minor, or Math Minor. More specific information about minors available to ISE students can be found in the ISE Undergraduate Student Handbook, posted on the ISE web site. Students and employers alike are seeing the benefits of these minors for adding value to the ISE major.
Many ISE students seek to participate in Undergraduate Research to satisfy elective requirements in the curriculum. The opportunity to work more closely, in some cases on a one-on-one basis, with our outstanding faculty can provide more in-depth development of ISE capabilities and a more enriching educational experience.
The department participates in the Cooperative Education & Internship Program, in which qualified students may alternate semesters of study with semesters of professional co-op employment or internships. Students are encouraged to pursue these experiences before they graduate to make them more competitive in the work force. Students are also encouraged to participate in career fairs and job interviews on and off campus.
The ISE department also provides students with many significant scholarship opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels to encourage and acknowledge high academic performance and achievements. The ISE department also maintains bilateral student exchange agreements with international universities, where students can take ISE courses which will transfer back to their BSISE. Students may also select other universities at which to perform a study abroad semester.
Graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. are offered (see Graduate Catalog). The graduate programs include concentrations in manufacturing systems engineering, human factors engineering and ergonomics, operations research, management systems engineering, and general IE. 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 Requirements
The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as "Checksheets". The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.
The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.
Please visit the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html for degree requirements.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with one of the ISE Academic Advisors to discuss the BSISE curriculum.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions (ISE)
2004: INTRODUCTION TO INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Introduction to the industrial and systems engineering
profession through exposure to problems, principles,
and practice. Integrated systems approach to problem
solving. Foundation of data manipulation and preparation
for problem analysis. Development of communication
skills, career opportunities, importance of professionalism,
ethics, contemporary challenges, lifelong learning, and
introduction to the ISE Department. C- or better required in
ENGE 1104 or ENGE 1114 or ENGE 1434 or ENGE 1216.
Pre: ENGE 1104 or ENGE 1114 or ENGE 1434 or ENGE 1216.
(1H,3L,2C)
2014: ENGINEERING ECONOMY
Concepts and techniques of analysis for evaluating the value
of products/services, projects, and systems in relation to
their cost. Economic and cost concepts, calculating economic
equivalence, comparison of alternatives, purchase versus
lease decisions, financial risk evaluation, cash flow
sensitivity analysis, and after-tax analysis. C-
or better required in ENGE 1024 or ENGE 1215.
Pre: (ENGE 1024 or ENGE 1215) or BC 1224.
(2H,2C)
2034: DATA MANAGEMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERS
Investigation of data modeling, storage, acquisition, and
utilization in industrial and systems engineering via manual
and computerized methods. Development of effective
spreadsheet applications. Design and
implementation of relational databases via
entity-relationship modeling, relational schema, and
normalization. Web-based database applications.
Interface design and the system development life
cycle applied to data management applications. All
topics covered within the context of typical industrial and
systems engineering problems.
Pre: CS 1044 or CS 1064.
(3H,3C)
2204: MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
Survey of manufacturing processes including casting,
forming, machining, welding, joining, and non-traditional
processes such as laser-beam and electrical-discharge
machining. Basic structure of metals, physical, and
mechanical properties and their relationship to
manufacturing. Process planning and the effect of plans
on cost, safety, and the environment. Impact of product
design on manufacturability: design for manufacture,
assembly, etc. Also include topics in inspection and
testing, jigs and fixtures, and numerical control. C- or
better required in ENGE 1104 or ENGE 1114 or ENGE 1434
or ENGE 1216.
Pre: ENGE 1104 or ENGE 1114 or ENGE 1434 or ENGE 1216.
(3H,3C)
2214: MANUFACTURING PROCESSES LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises and experimentation in manufacturing
processes. Emphasis on using production machines and
equipment to make products using multiple manufacturing
processes, coupled with inspection per engineering drawings.
Processes include assembly, casting, machining, forming,
welding, and non-traditional machining, performed manually
and/or via computer programming. Also covers basic shop
floor operation and documents used for monitoring and
controlling part production. C- or better required in
ENGE 1104 or ENGE 1114 or ENGE 1434 or ENGE 1216.
Pre: ENGE 1104 or ENGE 1114 or ENGE 1434 or ENGE 1216.
(3L,1C)
2404: DETERMINISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH I
Deterministic operations research modeling concepts; linear
programming modeling, assumptions, algorithms, modeling
languages, and optimization software; duality and
sensitivity analysis with economic interpretation; network
models (formulations and algorithms), including
transportation problems, assignment problems, shortest
path problems, maximum flow problems, minimum cost
network flow problems, minimal spanning tree problems.
A C- or better required in MATH 1114 or MATH 2114.
Pre: MATH 1114 or MATH 2114.
(3H,3C)
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. C- or better required in ISE 2014.
Pre: 2014 or ME 2024.
(4H,3C)
3214: FACILITIES PLANNING AND LOGISTICS
Theory, concepts, and methods for designing and analyzing
facilities and material flow in manufacturing, storage, and
distribution environments. Topic areas include material
handling systems, facility layout, facility location,
warehousing, distribution, logistics, and transportation.
C- or better in ISE 2014, 2404, and 3414.
Pre: 2014, 2404, 3414.
(3H,3C)
3414: PROBABILISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH
This course introduces probability models used to
investigate the behavior and performance of
manufacturing and service systems under conditions
of uncertainty. Major topics include probability,
conditioning, elementary counting processes, and
Markov chains and Markov processes. Emphasis is on
the use of these tools to model queues, inventories, process
behavior, and equipment reliability. C- or better required
in STAT 4105, MATH 2224 or 2204, MATH 2214 or 2214H,
and ISE 2004.
Pre: 2004, STAT 4105, (MATH 2224 or MATH 2204), (MATH 2214 or MATH 2214H), (ENGE 2314 or CS 1044 or CS 1064).
(3H,3C)
3424: DISCRETE-EVENT COMPUTER SIMULATION
Analysis and design of work systems through static and
dynamic simulation. Topics include an introduction to
systems analysis and modeling, simulation optimization,
model development and testing, and problem analysis
through simulation. C- or better required in ISE 3414
and STAT 4105.
Pre: 3414, STAT 4105.
(2H,3L,3C)
3434: DETERMINISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH II
Advanced concepts in deterministic operations research,
including theory of complexity, integer programming,
advanced linear programming techniques, nonlinear
programming, dynamic programming. Covers modeling
languages and optimization software for integer programming
and nonlinear programming problems. Grade of C- or
better required in ISE 2004, 2404 and MATH 2204 or 2224.
Pre: 2404, (MATH 2224 or MATH 2204), ISE 2004.
(3H,3C)
3614: HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING AND ERGONOMICS
Investigation of human factors, ergonomics, and work
measurement engineering, with emphasis on a systems
approach toward workplace and machine design.
Discussion of basic human factors research and design
methods, design/evaluation methods for work systems
and human machine interactions, human information
processing, visual and auditory processes, display and
control design, and effects of environmental stressors on
humans. C- or better required in ISE 2204 or 2214, STAT
4105, and ISE 2034 and 2004.
Pre: (2204 or 2214), STAT 4105, ISE 2034, ISE 2004.
(3H,3C)
3624: INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS
Introduction to ergonomics and work measurement with an
emphasis on people at work. Discussion of methods for work
measurement, ergonomic assessment, and evaluation, with
major topics including productivity and performance, manual
materials handling, work-related musculoskeletal disorders,
safety, training and legal issues. C- or better required in
ISE 3614.
Pre: 3614, 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.
(3H,3C)
4005-4006: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS DESIGN
4005: Capstone design experience for ISE majors. Structured
systems engineering and project management methods and
tools to plan, manage, and execute technical industrial and
systems engineering projects. Students work in teams to
apply industrial and systems engineering and project
management tools to define and analyze a real-world
problem. 4006: Continuation of capstone design experience
for ISE majors. Designing, implementing, and evaluating work
system solutions. Communication of solutions to various
project stakeholders. C- or better in all prerequisites.
Pre: 2034, 2204, 2214, 3214, 3424, 3434, 4404 for 4005; 4005, 3624, 4204 for 4006.
Co: 3624 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 modeling. 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)
4204: PRODUCTION PLANNING AND INVENTORY CONTROL
Planning and control of operations in both manufacturing
and service industries. Effective management and utilization
of resources and the production of cost effective products
and services. Principles, models, and techniques used for
production planning and inventory control. C- or better
required in ISE 2404, ISE 3414, and STAT 4706.
Pre: 2404, 3414, STAT 4706.
(3H,3C)
4214: LEAN MANUFACTURING
Overview of Lean Manufacturing principles, theory, methods,
and techniques in modern manufacturing enterprises. Lean
philosophy and basic concepts, master production scheduling
and production smoothing, assembly line sequencing, setup
time reduction, U-shaped line balancing/operation, machine
arrangement, kanban, autonomation, and value stream mapping.
Investigation and discussion of lean manufacturing case
studies. C- or better required in ISE 4204.
Pre: 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. C- or better required
in ISE 2204 or ISE 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)
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.
C- or better required in ISE 3414, STAT 4105, and STAT 4706.
Pre: 3414, STAT 4105, STAT 4706.
(3H,3C)
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. C- or better required in ISE 4404.
Pre: 4404.
(3H,3C)
4424: LOGISTICS ENGINEERING
Introduction to the key issues in the integrated support of
a product or 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. C- or better
required in 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. C- or better required in 3624.
Pre: 3624.
(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. C- or better required in ISE 3614.
Pre: 3614.
(3H,3C)
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.
(3H,3C)
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.