Welcome to the Industrial Engineering Program at UW-Platteville. Our industrial engineering program covers a broad range of topics related to engineering practice. Our program includes studies in mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as in project management and economics. In addition, students are required to fulfill general university requirements in the humanities, physical sciences, social sciences, and other areas.

The Profession

Industrial engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, and technology. Industrial engineers combine knowledge of mathematics, physical sciences, and social sciences with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design. At one time, industrial engineers were employed mainly in manufacturing, however, today they are employed by both manufacturing and service industries, which has increased the demand for industrial engineers.

Industrial engineers improve productivity and quality by determining the most effective methods of using the basic factors of production: machines, materials, and personnel. They may specialize in methods planning, facilities planning and layout, product design, the selection and design of machines and equipment to be used in manufacturing, or the supervision of the installation of industrial equipment. Other areas of specialization include development of work measurement systems, production methods and standards, cost control systems, materials handling, total quality management, safety engineering, systems engineering, and operations research. Industrial engineering provides an excellent background to management positions because its practitioners are educated in both engineering and management.

Most industrial engineers are employed in manufacturing industries. They are, however, more widely distributed among different manufacturing industries than are those in other branches of engineering. Industrial engineers are employed in automobile manufacturing; metal, plastic, and electronic component manufacturing; food processing, and many other industries. In addition, the concept of "industry" in industrial engineering has been broadened to include all organizations performing manufacturing and service activities. Some industrial engineers work for insurance companies, construction and mining firms, public utilities, banks, and hotels. Others are employed by retail organizations and other business enterprises to improve operating efficiency. Still others work for government agencies, transportation and distribution industries, hospitals, consulting engineering firms, and service industries of all kinds.

Beginning annual salaries for industrial engineering graduates of UW-Platteville equal or exceed national averages. Employers of recent UW-Platteville industrial engineering graduates include Ford Motor Company, Hormel, General Electric, Wisconsin Power and Light, Marquip, 3M, and FritoLay.

The engineering facilities in Ottensman Hall rank among the finest undergraduate facilities in the country. Modern laboratories are well-equipped in the areas of engineering graphics, computer integrated manufacturing, human performance, industrial engineering systems design, and engineering materials.