Industrial Engineering and Operations Research

University of California, Berkeley

About the Program

Bachelor of Science (BS)

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR) is designed to prepare students for technical careers in production or service industries. It provides a strong foundation for those headed for engineering management positions or for those intending to go on to specialized graduate study in operations research, industrial engineering, or business administration.

Students interested in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research may also be interested in the Operations Research and Management Science major in the College of Letters & Science. For further information on this program, please see the Operations Research and Management Science page in this Guide.

Course of Study Overview

The core of the program includes basic science, mathematics including probability and statistics, engineering optimization, and stochastic models. This forms the methodological foundation for upper division IEOR electives involving the analysis and design of production and service systems, information systems, and human work systems and organization, among others.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Admission to the Major

Prospective undergraduates to the College of Engineering will apply for admission to a specific program in the College. For further information, please see the College of Engineering's website.

Admission to Engineering via a Change of College application for current UC Berkeley students is highly unlikely and very competitive as there are few, if any, spaces that open in the College each year to students admitted to other colleges at UC Berkeley. For further information regarding a change of college to Engineering, please see the College's website.

Minor Program

The department offers a minor in IEOR. Students must have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the minor's prerequisite courses in order to be considered for departmental acceptance into the minor.

For the minor to be added to the transcript, students must file the Declaration of Minor form with the Office of Undergraduate Advising in 4145 Etcheverry Hall before or during the semester prior to their last semester on campus, and complete the minor requirements by their final term.  

Visit Department Website

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

  1. All courses taken in satisfaction of major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

  2. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student’s major and minor programs.

  3. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for all work undertaken at UC Berkeley.

  4. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all technical courses taken in satisfaction of major requirements.

For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

For a detailed plan of study by year and semester, please see the Plan of Study tab.

Lower Division Requirements

MATH 1ACalculus4
MATH 1BCalculus4
MATH 53Multivariable Calculus4
MATH 54Linear Algebra and Differential Equations4
CHEM 1A
1AL
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory 1
4-5
or CHEM 4A General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
or BIOLOGY 1A
1AL
General Biology Lecture
and General Biology Laboratory
or BIOLOGY 1B General Biology Lecture and Laboratory
PHYSICS 7APhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
PHYSICS 7BPhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
ENGIN 7Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers4
Programming: Select one of the following: 24
The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs [4]
Foundations of Data Science [4]
Engineering Breadth Electives: Select at least 9 units from the following:9
Introduction to Biomedicine for Engineers [4]
Biomechanics: Analysis and Design [4]
Engineered Systems and Sustainability [3]
Introduction to Solid Mechanics [3]
Structure and Properties of Civil Engineering Materials [3]
Engineering Geology [3]
Engineering Dynamics and Vibrations [3]
Applied Structural Mechanics [3]
Transportation Systems Engineering [3]
Design Methodology [3]
Designing Information Devices and Systems I [4]
Designing Information Devices and Systems II [4]
A Hands-on Introduction to Radiation Detection: Getting to know our Radioactive World [3]
Three-Dimensional Modeling for Design [2]
Manufacturing and Design Communication [4]
Visualization for Design
and Introduction to Manufacturing and Tolerancing
Engineering Thermodynamics [4]
Properties of Materials
and Properties of Materials Laboratory
Properties of Electronic Materials [4]
Thermodynamics [3]
Introduction to Solid Mechanics [3]
The Science and Engineering of Cooking [4]
Dynamic Systems and Feedback [3]
1

CHEM 4A is for students majoring in chemistry or a closely related field. CHEM 1A and CHEM 1AL, or CHEM 4A are prerequisites for BIOLOGY 1A.

2

Students must acquire fluent programming skills as demonstrated by completion of coursework in a high-level language such as Python, C, C++ or Java. This requirement may be completed by taking COMPSCI C8 or COMPSCI 61A or equivalent. The CS 9xx series self-paced courses are intended for those already skilled as programmers in a high-level language to learn a second language and thus are not appropriate for meeting this requirement. Junior transfer admits who have completed a programming course of 3 units or more in Python, C, C++, or Java have fulfilled this requirement.

Upper Division Requirements

IND ENG 120Principles of Engineering Economics3
IND ENG 160Nonlinear and Discrete Optimization3
IND ENG 162Linear Programming and Network Flows3
IND ENG 165Engineering Statistics, Quality Control, and Forecasting4
IND ENG 172Probability and Risk Analysis for Engineers 24
or STAT 134 Concepts of Probability
or STAT C140 Probability for Data Science
or DATA C140 Probability for Data Science
IND ENG 173Introduction to Stochastic Processes3
IND ENG 174Simulation for Enterprise-Scale Systems3
IND ENG 180Senior Project4
IND ENG Electives: Select 6 courses from the following:21
Industrial and Commercial Data Systems [3]
Methods of Manufacturing Improvement [3]
Introduction to Machine Learning and Data Analytics [3]
Fundamentals of Revenue Management [3]
Production Systems Analysis [3]
Service Operations Design and Analysis [3]
Logistics Network Design and Supply Chain Management [3]
Healthcare Analytics [3]
Introduction to Optimization Modeling [3]
Decision Analytics [3]
Integer Optimization [3]
Industrial Design and Human Factors [3]
Berkeley Changemaker: Ethical and Effective Entrepreneurship in High Tech [3]
Ethics Requirement: Select one course from the following: 3
Ethics in Science and Engineering [3]
Human Contexts and Ethics of Data - DATA/History/STS [4]
Energy and Society [4]
Energy and Society [4]
Ethics, Engineering, and Society [3]
Engineering, The Environment, and Society [4]
The Social, Political, and Ethical Environment of Business [3]
1

Students will not receive credit for both IND ENG 120 and ENGIN 120.

2

IND ENG 172 is an alternative course for STAT 134 or STAT C140/DATA C140. In semesters when IND ENG 172 is offered, it is recommended that students take IND ENG 172 instead of STAT 134 or STAT C140/DATA C140. Students will receive unit credit for only one of these courses.

3

These courses also satisfy one upper division humanities/social sciences course.

Minor Requirements

Minor programs are areas of concentration requiring fewer courses than an undergraduate major. These programs are optional but can provide depth and breadth to a UC Berkeley education. The College of Engineering does not offer additional time to complete a minor, but it is usually possible to finish within the allotted time with careful course planning. Students are encouraged to meet with their ESS adviser to discuss the feasibility of completing a minor program.

All the engineering departments offer minors. Students may also consider pursuing a minor in another school or college.

General Guidelines

  1. All minors must be declared no later than one semester before a student's Expected Graduation Term (EGT). If the semester before EGT is fall or spring, the deadline is the last day of RRR week. If the semester before EGT is summer, the deadline is the final Friday of Summer Sessions. To declare a minor, contact the department advisor for information on requirements, and the declaration process.

  2. To be considered for the minor, students must have a declared major other than IEOR or ORMS and submit the Minor Petition in IEOR.

  3. Submit the Petition form (to the IEOR Student Services Office) when you have at least four (4) of the minor requirements completed. Minor petitions are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.
    ●  A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the prerequisite courses is required for acceptance into the minor program.

  4. Students must have completed all course requirements.
    ●  All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be taken for graded credit.  For information about letter grade exceptions for courses taken in Spring 2020 to Spring 2021, please contact the department.
    ●  A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.
    ●  No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student’s major and minor programs. 
    ●  Completion of the minor program cannot delay a student’s graduation.

  5. Students taking the minor are also required to submit the IEOR Minor Completion Form when they are enrolled in their last required course, by the last day of instruction of their
    final term.

Requirements

Prerequisites
Probability and Risk Analysis for Engineers [4]
Concepts of Probability
Probability for Data Science
Probability for Data Science
Engineering Statistics, Quality Control, and Forecasting [4]
Concepts of Statistics
Upper Division Requirements
List A: One course from below
Nonlinear and Discrete Optimization [3]
Linear Programming and Network Flows [3]
List B: One course from below
Introduction to Machine Learning and Data Analytics [3]
Decision Analytics [3]
Introduction to Stochastic Processes [3]
List C: Two courses from below
Industrial and Commercial Data Systems [3]
Methods of Manufacturing Improvement [3]
Production Systems Analysis [3]
Service Operations Design and Analysis [3]
Logistics Network Design and Supply Chain Management [3]
Industrial Design and Human Factors [3]
Berkeley Changemaker: Ethical and Effective Entrepreneurship in High Tech [3]

College Requirements

Students in the College of Engineering must complete no fewer than 120 semester units with the following provisions: 

  1. Completion of the requirements of one engineering major program of study. 
  2. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 (C average) and a minimum 2.00 grade point average in upper division technical coursework required of the major.
  3. The final 30 units and two semesters must be completed in residence in the College of Engineering on the Berkeley campus.
  4. All technical courses (math, science, and engineering) that can fulfill requirements for the student's major must be taken on a letter graded basis (unless they are only offered P/NP). 
  5. Entering freshmen are allowed a maximum of eight semesters to complete their degree requirements. Entering junior transfers are allowed five semesters to complete their degree requirements. Summer terms are optional and do not count toward the maximum. Students are responsible for planning and satisfactorily completing all graduation requirements within the maximum allowable semesters. 
  6. Adhere to all college policies and procedures as they complete degree requirements.
  7. Complete lower division technical courses before enrolling in upper division technical courses. 

Humanities and Social Sciences (H/SS) Requirement

To promote a rich and varied educational experience outside of the technical requirements for each major, the College of Engineering has a six-course Humanities and Social Sciences breadth requirement, which must be completed to graduate. This requirement, built into all the engineering programs of study, includes two Reading and Composition courses (R&C), and four additional courses within which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. See the humanities and social sciences section of our website for details.

Class Schedule Requirements

  • Minimum units per semester: 12.0
  • Maximum units per semester:  20.5
  • Minimum technical courses: College of Engineering undergraduates must include at least two letter graded technical courses (of at least 3 units each) in their semester program. Every semester students are expected to make satisfactory progress in their declared major. Satisfactory progress is determined by the student's Engineering Student Services Advisor. (Note: For most majors, normal progress will require enrolling in 3-4 technical courses required of your current major each semester.) Students who are not in compliance with this policy by the end of the fifth week of the semester are subject to a registration block that will delay enrollment for the following semester. 
  • All technical courses (math, science, engineering) that satisfy requirements for the major must be taken on a letter-graded basis (unless only offered as P/NP).

Minimum Academic Requirements

  • Students must have a minimum overall and semester grade point average of 2.00 (C average). Students will be subject to dismissal from the University if during any fall or spring semester their overall UC GPA falls below a 2.00, or their semester GPA is less than 2.00. 
  • Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00 (C average) in upper division technical courses required for the major curriculum each semester.
  • A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum 2.00 grade point average in upper division technical course work required for the major are required to earn a Bachelor of Science in the College of Engineering.
  • Students must make normal degree progress toward the Bachelor of Science degree and their officially declared major.

Unit Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, students must complete at least 120 semester units of courses subject to certain guidelines:

  • Completion of the requirements of one engineering major program of study. 
  • A maximum of 16 units of special studies coursework (courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, 198, or 199) is allowed to count towards the B.S. degree, and no more than 4 units in any single term can be counted.
  • A maximum of 4 units of physical education from any school attended will count towards the 120 units.
  • Passed (P) grades may account for no more than one third of the total units completed at UC Berkeley, Fall Program for Freshmen (FPF), UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), or UC Berkeley Washington Program (UCDC) toward the 120 overall minimum unit requirement. Transfer credit is not factored into the limit. This includes transfer units from outside of the UC system, other UC campuses, credit-bearing exams, as well as UC Berkeley Extension XB units.

Normal Progress

Students in the College of Engineering must enroll in a full-time program and make normal progress each semester toward their declared major.  Students who fail to achieve normal academic progress shall be subject to dismissal. (Note: Students with official accommodations established by the Disabled Students' Program, with health or family issues, or with other reasons deemed appropriate by the dean may petition for an exception to normal progress rules.)

UC and Campus Requirements

University of California Requirements

Entry Level Writing

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by satisfying the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR). The UC Entry Level Writing Requirement website provides information on how to satisfy the requirement.

American History and American Institutions

The American History and Institutions (AH&I) requirements are based on the principle that a US resident graduated from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

Campus Requirement

American Cultures

The American Cultures requirement is a Berkeley campus requirement, one that all undergraduate students at Berkeley need to pass in order to graduate. You satisfy the requirement by passing, with a grade not lower than C- or P, an American Cultures course. You may take an American Cultures course any time during your undergraduate career at Berkeley. The requirement was instituted in 1991 to introduce students to the diverse cultures of the United States through a comparative framework. Courses are offered in more than fifty departments in many different disciplines at both the lower and upper division level.

 

Plan of Study

For more detailed information regarding the courses listed below (e.g., elective information, GPA requirements, etc.,), please see the College Requirements and Major Requirements tabs.

Freshman
FallUnitsSpringUnits
CHEM 1A
1AL1
5MATH 1B4
MATH 1A4PHYSICS 7A4
Reading & Composition Part A Course34ENGIN 74
Engineering Breadth Course23Reading & Composition Part B Course34
Optional Freshman Seminar or ENGIN 920-1 
 16-17 16
Sophomore
FallUnitsSpringUnits
MATH 534MATH 544
PHYSICS 7B4IND ENG 1203
Engineering Breadth Course23COMPSCI C8 or 61A44
Humanities/Social Sciences Course33-4Engineering Breadth Course23
 Humanities/Social Sciences Course33-4
 14-15 17-18
Junior
FallUnitsSpringUnits
IND ENG 1603IND ENG 1654
IND ENG 1623IND ENG 1733
IND ENG 172, STAT 134, or STAT C14054IND ENG Electives66
IND ENG Elective63Humanities/Social Sciences Course33-4
Humanities/Social Sciences Course with ethics content33-4 
 16-17 16-17
Senior
FallUnitsSpringUnits
IND ENG Electives66IND ENG 1743
Free Electives79IND ENG 1804
 IND ENG Electives63
 Free Elective73
 15 13
Total Units: 123-128
1

CHEM 4A, BIOLOGY 1A and BIOLOGY 1AL, or BIOLOGY 1B may also be used to fulfill this requirement. CHEM 4A is intended for students majoring in chemistry or a closely-related field. CHEM 1A and CHEM 1AL, or CHEM 4A are prerequisites for BIOLOGY 1A.

2

Engineering Breadth: 9 units must be completed from the following list: BIO ENG 10, BIO ENG 102, CIV ENG 11, CIV ENG C30, CIV ENG 60, CIV ENG 70, CIV ENG 126CIV ENG 132CIV ENG 155, DES INV 15, EECS 16A, EECS 16B, ENGIN 11ENGIN 26ENGIN 29 (or ENGIN 25 & ENGIN 27), ENGIN 40, MAT SCI 45, MAT SCI 45L, MAT SCI 111, MEC ENG 40, MEC ENG C85, MEC ENG 132.

3

The Humanities/Social Sciences (H/SS) requirement includes two approved reading and composition courses and four additional approved courses, with which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. The first half (R&C Part A) must be completed by the end of the freshman year; the second half (R&C Part B) must be completed by no later than the end of the sophomore year. The remaining courses may be taken at any time during the program. See engineering.berkeley.edu/hss for complete details and a list of approved courses. One of the H/SS courses must be an approved ethics course. See "Major Requirements" tab for list of approved ethics courses.

4

Students must acquire fluent programming skills as demonstrated by completion of coursework in a high-level language such as Python, C, C++ or Java. This requirement may be completed by taking COMPSCI C8 or COMPSCI 61A or equivalent. The CS 9xx series self-paced courses are intended for those already skilled as programmers in a high-level language to learn a second language and thus are not appropriate for meeting this requirement. Junior transfer admits who have completed a programming course of 3 units or more in Python, C, C++, or Java have fulfilled this requirement.

5

IND ENG 172 is an alternative course for STAT 134 or  STAT C140. In semesters when IND ENG 172 is offered, it is recommended that students take IND ENG 172. Students will receive credit for only one of these courses. 

6

Students must take a minimum of six courses from the following: IND ENG 115, IND ENG 130, IND ENG 142, IND ENG 150, IND ENG 151, IND ENG 153, IND ENG 164, IND ENG 166, IND ENG 169, IND ENG 170, IND ENG 171.

7

Free electives can be any technical or non-technical course, a course of your interest offered by any department. There are no restrictions.

Student Learning Goals

Learning Goals for the Major

The IEOR Department has five general objectives for its Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program. It aims for BS degree graduates to become highly skilled in:

  1. Quantitative modeling and analysis of a broad array of systems-level decision problems concerned with economic efficiency, productivity, and quality.
  2. Development and creative use of analytical and computational methods for solving these problems.
  3. Collection of and analysis of data, and the use of database and decision-support tools.
  4. Comprehension and analysis of uncertainty.
  5. In addition, the department expects their graduates to obtain the broader skills, background, and knowledge necessary to be an effective professional in a rapidly changing global economy.

All Berkeley engineering graduates acquire the following skills and knowledge:

  1. Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
  2. Ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze, and interpret data.
  3. Ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
  4. Ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
  5. Ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
  6. Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
  7. Ability to communicate effectively.
  8. Understand impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context.
  9. Recognition of need for and ability to engage in life-long learning.
  10. Knowledge of contemporary issues.
  11. Ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools for engineering practice.

More specific outcomes of the IEOR BS degree program are as follows:

  1. Identify opportunities for improvement in practical settings.

  2. Document process, material and information flows.

  3. Collect and structure data to support decision-making.

  4. Define appropriate goals and constraints for decision-making.

  5. Formulate mathematical optimization models for decision-making.

  6. Model the probabilistic aspects of a system.

  7. Validate modeling assumptions and model implications.

  8. Explore model sensitivity to assumptions and parameters.

  9. Apply appropriate solution techniques for optimization problems.

  10. Perform statistical analysis to identify patterns, test hypotheses, and make estimates or forecasts.

  11. Utilize decision support (e.g., optimization, simulation, decision analysis) software.

  12. Use business software (e.g., Excel) and the Internet to analyze and solve problems.

  13. Utilize quantitative tools for specific applications (e.g., inventory, scheduling, supply chain design, quality control).

  14. Adapt or modify known solution approaches for new problem settings.

  15. Consider humans and organizations in designing systems.

  16. Communicate orally and in writing.

  17. Work in a team.

  18. Understand professional and ethical responsibilities.

  19. Recognize need for and possess ability to engage in lifelong learning.

Major Map

Major Maps help undergraduate students discover academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities at UC Berkeley based on intended major or field of interest. Developed by the Division of Undergraduate Education in collaboration with academic departments, these experience maps will help you:

  • Explore your major and gain a better understanding of your field of study

  • Connect with people and programs that inspire and sustain your creativity, drive, curiosity and success

  • Discover opportunities for independent inquiry, enterprise, and creative expression

  • Engage locally and globally to broaden your perspectives and change the world

  • Reflect on your academic career and prepare for life after Berkeley

Use the major map below as a guide to planning your undergraduate journey and designing your own unique Berkeley experience.

View the Industrial Engineering and Operations Research Major Map PDF.

Advising

Advising Values

Student Success: Above all, the department is dedicated to maximizing student potential and to helping students succeed in their University experiences. The department encourages students to explore their minds and their hearts, challenges them to do their best work, and helps them realize their talents and passions and achieve their goals.

Equity & Inclusion: The department is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued. It aspires to provide fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all students and to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of all.

Health & Well-Being: The department collaborates with campus partners to keep the IEOR community healthy by helping students balance the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, occupational, spiritual, and environmental aspects of life.

Advising Excellence: In all that it does, the department strives to deliver personalized advising services of the highest quality. It seeks to continuously educate itself on developments in the field and to evaluate, improve, and streamline its services to support students in obtaining the best education and experience possible.

Academic Opportunities

Student Groups and Organizations

The Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR) Department is very proud that its students not only excel in academics but also in social organization. The department hosts three professional student organizations that engage in activities such as advising, recruiting and graduate schools information, alumni relations, academic conference organization, and social events. For information regarding student groups, please see the following websites:

IEOR Alumni
Alpha Pi Mu (Industrial Engineering Honor Society)
IISE Student Chapter (Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers)

Study Abroad

The College of Engineering encourages all undergraduates in the college to study abroad. Whether students are interested in fulfilling general education requirements, taking courses related to their major/career, or simply living and studying in a country that is of interest to them, the department will work with students to make it happen. For information about study abroad programs, please see the Berkeley Study Abroad website.

Career Services

The Career Center offers personalized career counseling and a wide variety of professional development workshops on topics such as networking as a job search strategy, getting results from the internet job search, internship search and success strategies, and applying for graduate school. For further information, please see the Career Services website.

Courses

Industrial Engineering and Operations Research

Contact Information

Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research

4141 Etcheverry Hall

Phone: 510-642-5484

Visit Department Website

Department Chair

Alper Atamturk

423 Sutardja Dai Hall

Phone: 510-642-4559

atamturk@berkeley.edu

Head Undergraduate Faculty Advisor

Anil Aswani

4119 Etcheverry Hall

aaswani@berkeley.edu

Student Affairs Officer

Ginnie Sadil

Phone: 510-642-5485

ieor-student-services@berkeley.edu

Engineering Student Services Advisor

Nicole Rucinski

230 Bechtel Eng Cntr

Phone: 510-642-7594

http://engineering.berkeley.edu/ESS

nicoler@berkeley.edu

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