About the Department

Integrated systems engineers address overall system performance and productivity, responsiveness to customer needs and quality of products or services produced for industrial processes.

Ohio State's integrated systems engineering program is ranked 19th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, and the department has established several areas of research and academic excellence, including manufacturing processes, human factors and ergonomics and operations research.

Students and faculty work collaboratively with many local businesses including Honda, Worthington Industries and Nationwide Insurance, providing involvement in real-world problem solving in and beyond the classroom.

The program also provides a detailed background in all areas of industrial engineering: manufacturing, ergonomics, systems modeling and design, and engineering management. Graduates from this engineering discipline make ideal candidates for management because of their training with operations, business planning, financial analysis and project management.

Careers in Integrated Systems Engineering

Industrial engineers find professional employment in virtually every sector of the economy. Some companies have industrial engineering departments, while others hire industrial engineers to work as manufacturing engineers, strategic planners, quality engineers, work place or product designers, information specialists, production supervisors, or technical sales representatives. They operate in production, service, and public sector organizations designing and analyzing the performance of productive systems. Industrial engineers are also valued as consultants for their problem-solving abilities and their ability to adapt their knowledge and skills to new situations.

Although the bachelor’s degree admits one to professional practice, employers often seek industrial engineers with Master’s degrees. Industrial engineers with PhDs often pursue employment in research activities in industry or national research laboratories, or as university faculty. Industrial engineers frequently obtain higher degrees in law, medicine, business, or hospital or public administration.

Demand for industrial engineers is currently strong. While employment for engineers, overall, is expected to grow at 11 percent between 2008 and 2018, industrial engineering is expected to grow at 14 percent (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011).

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering
Combined BS/MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering
Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Systems Engineering

Research

The ISE department has established several areas of research excellence including manufacturing processes, human factors and ergonomics, and operations research. The department is the home of the Institute for Ergonomics and the Engineering Research Center for Net Shape Manufacturing (ERC/NSM). The department's annual research expenditures are in excess of $6 million. Primary sources of funding include the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation and industry.