Industrial engineers design, implement, and operate systems that integrate people, equipment, materials, and information. They are trained to study system processes and make those processes as efficient and cost-effective as possible. They are also concerned with verifying and improving the quality of products and processes. They work in manufacturing, distribution, health care, and government, to design manufacturing facilities, develop complex industrial and transportation networks, design computer and communication systems, and schedule resources within an organization.

The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering grants Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering, and participates in the Russ College Integrated Engineering Ph. D. program. The department also offers a track in its M S degree program in  Engineering Management. Faculty are actively involved in government- and industry-sponsored research through the Center for Advanced Software Systems Integration and individual projects.