Industrial Engineers design systems to enable people and society to
improve productivity, efficiency and effectiveness and the quality of
the work environment.
All engineers work at planning, designing, implementing and controlling
the systems that represent the way people use technology. The systems
that are the subject of Industrial Engineering design are broad and are
characterized by a need to integrate both the physical and decision
making capabilities of humans together with all other aspects of the
system design. Problems range from the design of a work method and work
station, to the design of a factory layout and methods of controlling
the flow of materials on the factory floor, to the design of an overall
corporate plan involving materials procurement, production, inventory
and distribution. The idea of a factory is also extended to include
health care systems, municipal systems, transportation systems; in fact
all the systems that are essential to the functioning of modern society.
Systems that facilitate effective decision making and implementation in
areas such as scheduling, inventory, and quality control are typical of
industrial engineering.
An integral part of IE: Designing for People
Human behaviour and capabilities are key element in the systems Industrial Engineers work with. In designing the layout of a production line for an automobile manufacturer, the checkout counter for a supermarket, the organization of office work flow for a bank or the materials handling system for a steel plant, the engineer must consider both physical requirements and cost parameters and the physiological and behavioral performance of the human operators. The Industrial Engineer has a dual role, both to extend human capability to operate, manage and control the overall production system and to ensure the safety and well being of those working in the system.
Design and development of these systems requires the unique background of the Industrial Engineer. The process of engineering always starts with measurement. Where other engineers might measure temperatures, pressures or wind loads, the Industrial Engineer measures the time of a work cycle, dollar values of expenditures, rates of machine failures, and demand processes for finished goods. Usually the mathematical analysis must take into account risk and uncertainty to a larger extent than in other engineering fields. Computer simulation and optimization are often required. The concepts and techniques found in the Industrial Engineering curriculum have been selected to assist the student to develop the skills that meet the specific challenges of systems which involve managerial activities.
The IE Program at Dalhousie
Students begin the Industrial Engineering program with a background in engineering fundamentals studied during their initial two years. Then, in the IE portion of the program, they are introduced to the fundamental approaches of work place design and operations research while at the same time being required to enhance their mathematical and computer background. Later more advanced modeling approaches are examined together with courses more directly related to the management process. Production scheduling, inventory control, quality management and plant layout are studied as are the factors which influence human performance. Students are provided with the opportunity to take extra courses related to such areas as manufacturing, computer science, or management science through the Department's elective course offerings.
Human behaviour and capabilities are key element in the systems Industrial Engineers work with. In designing the layout of a production line for an automobile manufacturer, the checkout counter for a supermarket, the organization of office work flow for a bank or the materials handling system for a steel plant, the engineer must consider both physical requirements and cost parameters and the physiological and behavioral performance of the human operators. The Industrial Engineer has a dual role, both to extend human capability to operate, manage and control the overall production system and to ensure the safety and well being of those working in the system.
Design and development of these systems requires the unique background of the Industrial Engineer. The process of engineering always starts with measurement. Where other engineers might measure temperatures, pressures or wind loads, the Industrial Engineer measures the time of a work cycle, dollar values of expenditures, rates of machine failures, and demand processes for finished goods. Usually the mathematical analysis must take into account risk and uncertainty to a larger extent than in other engineering fields. Computer simulation and optimization are often required. The concepts and techniques found in the Industrial Engineering curriculum have been selected to assist the student to develop the skills that meet the specific challenges of systems which involve managerial activities.
The IE Program at Dalhousie
Students begin the Industrial Engineering program with a background in engineering fundamentals studied during their initial two years. Then, in the IE portion of the program, they are introduced to the fundamental approaches of work place design and operations research while at the same time being required to enhance their mathematical and computer background. Later more advanced modeling approaches are examined together with courses more directly related to the management process. Production scheduling, inventory control, quality management and plant layout are studied as are the factors which influence human performance. Students are provided with the opportunity to take extra courses related to such areas as manufacturing, computer science, or management science through the Department's elective course offerings.
In their final year all students undertake a major project. Projects are
drawn from companies or institutions outside the University and are
treated as a consulting assignment. The students are evaluated based
upon their ability to achieve an innovative solution by drawing upon the
analytical skills developed throughout their program of studies. They
must also, of course, satisfy the practical requirements of the outside
client.
The Future of IE
Job opportunities for Industrial Engineers are both challenging and widely based. Former graduates are currently practicing Industrial Engineering in all types of work activity ranging from paper product manufacturing, to airlines, to utilities, to hospitals. Invariably, the work assigned is original in its nature demanding that the Industrial Engineer to be creative in applying his or her many abilities to achieve the best solution. Managers require such results if they are to keep their costs under control in this increasingly competitive world. This requirement will sustain the high demand for Industrial Engineers well into the future.
Job opportunities for Industrial Engineers are both challenging and widely based. Former graduates are currently practicing Industrial Engineering in all types of work activity ranging from paper product manufacturing, to airlines, to utilities, to hospitals. Invariably, the work assigned is original in its nature demanding that the Industrial Engineer to be creative in applying his or her many abilities to achieve the best solution. Managers require such results if they are to keep their costs under control in this increasingly competitive world. This requirement will sustain the high demand for Industrial Engineers well into the future.
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