INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Industrial Engineering Technology is a professional career field concerned with the application of engineering and management principles to solve problems in industry with the primary emphasis on improved productivity and more efficient use of resources.

Industrial Engineering Technology may be considered a hybrid discipline encompassing many of the same interest areas as Industrial Engineering. However, unlike Industrial Engineering, which often stresses theoretical considerations, Industrial Engineering Technology emphasizes problem solving technology to solve problems in industry.

In this way, Industrial Engineering Technology effectively bridges the gap beteen engineerng design and manufacturing. This baccalaureate program is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-Telephone:(410)347-7700.

WHAT DOES AN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST DO?
Industrial Engineering Technologists perform a variety of important functions in business and industry. While most industrial engineering technologists have traditionally gone to work in manufacturing and related industries, an increasing number are being used in other areas including utilities, hospitals, service industries, and government. He or she may set up manufacturing systems for new products,develop plant layouts, improve work methods and process plans, work in quality control or production control, develop time and cost standards, work as a manufacturing supervisor; evaluate and implement exciting new technologies such as robotics and computer integrated manufacturing, and perform economic investment studies. Many Industrial Engineering Technologists are promoted to supervisory or management positions.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The career outlook for industrial engineering technology graduates is very bright. One of the strengths of an education in industrial engineering technology is the diverse curriculum, which provides graduates with a wide variety of technical and management skills and problem-solving techniques. This diversity makes a number of number of career paths available, with the result that the overall demand for industrial engineering technologists remains high. This diverse background also allows individuals to pursue paths and specialties which meet their interest, abilities, and personal career objectives.

DEGREE PROGRAMS
The School of Construction at The University of Southern Mississippi offers three baccalaureate tracks in Industrial Engineering Technology designed to prepare students to meet the demands of industry for employees with expertise in manufacturing processes, statistical quality control, production management and supervision, automation, and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM). In addition to the traditional Industrial Engineering Technology emphasizing productivity improvement, students may elect to follow a manufacturing or mechanical emphasis track. All of these programs provide the graduate with a background in applied science and mathematics, and prepares him or her for a wide spectrum of jobs in the manufacturing, service, and government sectors.

TRANSFERRING FROM A TWO YEAR INSTITUTE
Students intending to transfer into the program with Junior standing should present credits in the following areas: Applied Mathematics, 6 hours; Computer Programing 3 hours; Physics (with laboratory), 8 hours; Engineering Graphics, 3 hours. If a student is transferring without an association's degree, they must also have English I and II on their transcript. The Manufacturing Emphasis program is especially well suited to those who have earned an Associate degree in technical fields and wish to further their education. For more information on transferring coursework, use our Equivalency Calculator at www.usm.edu/admissions/equivalencies/index.php.

SOCIETY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS
USM has an active Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) student chapter. SME is an international professional society dedicated to the advancement, assessment, and dissemination of technology relating to all aspects of manufacturing. Student members benefit from presentations, special programs, and plant tours of local industry. Joint activities with nearby SME senior chapters provide an opportunity for interaction with manufacturing professionals.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
The Cooperative Education (Co-op) program offers students an opportunity to gain practical, meaningful work experience relating to his or her major. Co-op students alternate semesters of full-time employment with semesters of on-campus study. The Career Services Office assists students in securing co-op assignments with industry. Co-op opportunities for Industrial Engineering Technology students have been generally very good. Contact the Career Services office for more information.