Undergraduate Programs

The Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department provides course work and experience leading to the following undergraduate degrees:

B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Management (accredited by ABET)

B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering (accredited by ABET)

The IE&M Program
Industrial Engineering and Management is a good choice for people with the aptitude and interest for careers that blend technology and people. First, this is an engineering program, with the traditional content of mathematics, sciences, engineering analysis and synthesis, and the curriculum. Graduates are well positioned for success in nationally normed professional engineering examinations. Beyond the basics, this program also challenges students to integrate resources with technology. In addition to scientific principles and technological systems, IE&M students study people systems, cost analysis, facilities and other elements of the business enterprise. The “engineering” and “management” pieces are blended and integrated.

Industrial engineering has a unique focus, as well as extraordinary breadth. The primary idea is to apply systematic, disciplined, engineered thinking to all types of human enterprise. Often this means applying lessons that have been hard won in the industrial sector to service oriented enterprises, such as healthcare, transportation and government. Often, advancements in quality, cost effectiveness and timeliness that have been learned in the crucible of global industrial competition can be extended to service providers. Industrial engineers are the people who do this.

In recent years, the very active employers have represented transportation, warehousing and distribution, healthcare, information systems, software, facilities development and consulting industries, as well as many of the production sectors that have been the traditional concentration for Industrial Engineers. To gain a better understanding of the different industries available to IE graduates, students are encouraged to take part in the cooperative education program on campus. IE&M graduates are sought after for responsible positions in project and organizational management, financial modeling, technological training, logistics, and design of processes, procedures, facilities and systems.

Students majoring in any engineering discipline may elect a minor in Industrial Engineering and Management. These optional studies offer engineering students the opportunity to add important career-enhancing skills to their technological competencies. The elected courses in an IE&M minor add skills for integrating technology and resources within the complex of people, technology, machinery and information that make up the successful modern business enterprise. Students completing this minor will achieve better understanding of organizational and management processes and will be better prepared to work in the multi-functional teams crucial to success in industry.

Industrial Engineering and Management Options
Students majoring in Industrial Engineering and Management may prepare for specific career choices by careful use of the technical electives included in the IE&M major. It is suggested that students confer with their academic advisor for assistance in choosing the most appropriate optional courses. Particular areas of emphasis may be selected in the following special interests:

• Healthcare management engineering
• Production operations and management
• Process and production engineering
• Reliability and quality management
• Specialized manufacturing processes (electronics, aircraft, plastics and composites)

These topical areas are also available for post-graduate study, leading to degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Please refer to the NDSU Graduate Bulletin for details.

Sample IE&M Curriculum

IME Undergraduate Course Descriptions

IE&M Technical Electives

The Manufacturing Engineering Program
The Manufacturing Engineering degree at NDSU was started in the 1997-1998 academic year.  NDSU is one of only nineteen universities to offer such a degree. By implementing a separate degree in manufacturing engineering, students receive an education focusing on the tremendous opportunities available in the manufacturing industry.

The first two years of the curriculum include fundamental courses in chemistry, math, engineering science, and manufacturing. Courses in statics, dynamics and strength of materials provide understanding of how mechanical components interact. The last two years focus on advanced content in engineering science, manufacturing, and materials. The manufacturing engineering program has a "practice-based" approach and uses both laboratories and industry projects to make manufacturing "real" to students. In addition, students are urged to take advantage of cooperative education opportunities whenever possible to gain industrial experience to complement their academic studies.

Manufacturing Engineering is a good choice for people who have both aptitude and interest in production of goods for improved living standard for the general populace. This career field is all about the production of goods -- from automobiles and tractors and airplanes to electronic products to recreational products, sports equipment and toys to foodstuffs. Manufacturing engineers are employed in every industry that produces goods of some kind.

Manufacturing engineers may focus on the interaction between workpiece and tool as process scientists or process engineers. They may act as production engineers and concentrate on integrating the many different processes and parts necessary to make up finished products. Or, as manufacturing systems engineers, they may take a very wide view of the manufacturing enterprise, including its supply chain, distribution channels, financial structure and resource management. In every particular focus, manufacturing engineers are the people who design the processes through which products are made with the required functionality, to high quality standards, in the quantities needed, available when and where customers prefer, and at the best possible price.

At graduation, Manufacturing Engineering students are well positioned to select career employment in any manufacturing industry. Graduates are actively recruited by companies the produce agricultural and construction machinery and vehicles, complex industrial apparatus, recreational vehicles, airplanes, household goods, building products, and both industrial and consumer electronics. Manufacturing Engineering graduates generally begin their careers designing processes and production systems or directly managing some phase of manufacturing. Frequently, they progress to increased responsibilities, with broader scope and yet more opportunity.

Manufacturing Engineering Options
Students majoring in Manufacturing Engineering may prepare for specific career choices by careful use of the four technical electives included in the MfgE major. It is suggested that students confer with their academic advisor for assistance in choosing the most appropriate optional courses. The MfgE major requires that students select 12 credits of approved elective courses, and these may be selected in the following special interests:

• Electronics manufacturing
• Aircraft manufacturing
• Process engineering
• Production and manufacturing systems engineering

These topical areas are also available for post-graduate study, leading to degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Please refer to the NDSU Graduate Bulletin for details.

Sample MfgE Curriculum

Undergraduate MfgE Course Descriptions

MfgE Technical Electives