Industrial Engineering & Management Sciences

Menu
Established in 1958, the IEMS department collaborates with 25 other departments.

Building Practical Knowledge of the Data Science Lifecycle

Effective this spring, Moses Chan and Huiling Hu are the new leaders of the minor in machine learning and data science, a joint program offered by the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences and the Department of Computer Science.Read more

Akhil Singla

Singla Wins Best Dissertation Award at Supply Chain Conference

Northwestern Engineering postdoc Akhil Singla was honored for his research on designing resilient supply chains and service operations amid global disruptions.Read more

winning iems team

Student Team Wins National IISE Capstone Award

Marin Clark, Emilia McDougal, Juan Olivia, and Sahaana Rajesh worked with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital to reduce the time it takes to turn around a room.Read more

Julia Gaudio

Smilowitz Named Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

A Northwestern faculty member for more than two decades, Professor Karen Smilowitz’s goal is to ensure “all students have what they need to thrive.”Read more

About the Department

Data science for decision making

Watch our video:Data and decision science

The Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences at Northwestern innovates in the science of data-driven decision making in complex and uncertain environments through algorithms, computation, and mathematical modeling. We provide decision-support tools through data science, optimization, simulation, logistics, and financial engineering.

Established in 1958, our department bridges engineering and management and has been consistently ranked among the top industrial engineering departments in the country. Through innovative curriculum and personalized mentorship, the department educates future leaders and fosters a strong community among faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Facts and Figures

Leaders who shape the future of industrial engineering

Connections to Chicago

Students and researchers benefit from connections to a variety of industries and nonprofits ranging from transportation to healthcare to logistics to data science.

Diverse research funding

Department faculty have grants from 11 federal agencies and a wide range of industry partners.

25

other departments with which we actively collaborate

across five Northwestern schools

Research Areas

Advancing the growing field of data analytics

Our department carries out internationally-recognized fundamental research in optimization, statistics and statistical learning, and stochastic models and simulation that often serves as enabling technology for other researchers to solve a wide range of problems. We also have a strong reputation in research related to computational social science, energy systems, financial engineering, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and service operations, and security.

Collaborations

Centers at the forefront

Our department centers — including the Center for Optimization and Statistical Learning, the Center for Engineering and Health, and the Center for Deep Learning — cross disciplines and advance technology to help solve problems across fields.


Explore Centers

Programs

Flexible curriculum, based in theory and practice

Our department offers undergraduate (BS), graduate (PhD), and professional master’s (MS) degree programs. Students can choose from a variety of courses aimed at developing skills in analytics and understanding industrial engineering’s role in solving modern business challenges. In addition, students at all levels enjoy the opportunities created by our connections to Chicagoland industry and nonprofits in a wide variety of areas from transportation to healthcare to logistics to data science. Our graduates are prepared for a variety of careers in industry, government, and academia.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering

Combined BS/MS Degree Program

Please note: The IEMS department does not offer a master's program. However, McCormick's Combined BS/MS Program allows undergraduates to simultaneously pursue a bachelor's degree (BS) in industrial engineering and a master's degree (MS) from another engineering department.

Explore other special programs, minors, and certificates

Graduate

PhD in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences

Explore the majors and minors offered by the department

Affiliated

Master of Engineering Management

Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science

Minor in Engineering Management

Minor in Machine Learning and Data Science

Diego KlabjanFACULTY

Professor and Director of Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science Program

“ As Director of the Center for Deep Learning, I lead large projects developing models and software for deep learning that engage many PhD students and post-docs.”

Meet Diego

Jorge NocedalFACULTY

Walter P. Murphy Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences

“ Our Center for Optimization and Statistical Learning integrates and nurtures two core research areas of the department: optimization and statistical learning. We are training a new generation of engineers in the era of data-driven decision making.”

Meet Jorge

Jill WilsonFACULTY

Charles Deering McCormick Distinguished Professor of Instruction and Assistant Chair

“ I oversee and shape our undergraduate program to provide a high-caliber educational experience, while promoting student community and supporting overall student wellness.”

Meet Jill

Seyed IravaniFACULTY

Professor and Director of Graduate Studies

“ As Director of Graduate Studies, I manage our PhD education and maintain its high quality with the goal of training independent and innovative thinkers who are ready to push the boundaries of the knowledge in the field of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences.”

Meet Seyed

Sanjay MehrotraFACULTY

Professor and Director of the Center for Engineering and Health

“ The Center for Engineering & Health develops systems solutions to healthcare operations and policy problems. In the process, we develop data science and decision methods through engagement of undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows.”

Meet Sanjay

Department News

All News

Discover Our Whole-Brain Engineering Philosophy

We augment the analytical core of engineering with design, entrepreneurship, leadership, personal development, and unusual collaborations to imagine what's next and take the world in a whole new direction.

Learn More