B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management
Program coordinator: Dr. Yuval
Cohen
Program team: Dr. Aviad
Bar-Haim, Prof. Ezey Darel, Dr. Aviva Geva, Prof. Yosef Aharoni, Dr. Arie Nachmias, Dr. Yaakov Kamin.
The program team acknowledges the distinguished
contribution of the late Professor Abraham Mehrez
to the program.
Introduction
B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management
Background: Industrial
Engineering and Management in Israel
Industrial Engineering and
Management at the Open University
Structure of the
program of study
Background
Structure
of the program
Laboratories
Table 1: Requirements for the
degree
Table 2: Sample program of
studies in Industrial Engineering and Management for students without
background in Mathematics
Table 2a: Sample program of studies in
Industrial Engineering and Management for students with strong
background in Mathematics
Table 3: Suggested order of
courses by semesters
Introduction
A program of study awarding a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management
will be offered by the Open University for the first time in the 2002/2003
academic year.
The aim of the program is to train industrial and management engineers for a
wide variety of roles in operations planning and control, in re-engineering
and system optimization, both in industrial and commercial settings. As part
of their studies, students will be trained in the following areas: process
analysis, production planning and control, work measurement, ergonomics and
human factors engineering, team management, quality control and quality
engineering, facilities layout and material handling, design of information
systems, decision making, plus economics and behavioral management. The
program will also cultivate strategic thinking, inter-personal communications
and organizational skills required to manage projects within a defined
timetable and budget.
B.Sc. in Industrial
Engineering and Management
 Background:
Industrial Engineering and Management in Israel
Industrial engineering and management deals with the planning, operation,
control and improvement of organizational systems and processes and with
projects integrating humans, materials and equipment to achieve a variety of
objectives. The first Industrial Engineering program in Israel was taught at
the Technion in Haifa, as a specialization within a
B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. Industrial Engineering deals with both
systems and interpersonal aspects. To obtain a degree, the student needs
basic knowledge in exact sciences and engineering as well as familiarity with
key social science disciplines, particularly economics and behavioral
sciences. The increasing importance of the profession in Israel and
throughout the world in recent years stems from the need for professionals
with technological and engineering know-how to improve production methods and
processes through various technologies, to shorten response times, lower
prices in competitive market conditions and improve service and product
quality. Over the years, industrial and management engineering alumni have
been employed in a range of manufacturing and service operations in the
private and public sectors, such as hospitals, banks, and insurance agencies,
as well as in the military in procurement and logistics functions. Graduates
are employed in a wide range of positions which include improvement and
analysis of processes and organizations, analyzing computer communications
and information systems needs for managing organizations, and in promoting
integration of international innovative processes and advanced technologies
in the local arena such as introducing industrial robots into production and
service organizations, computerization of plants and commercial businesses,
and instituting innovative methods for improving quality and service.
Industrial Engineering and
Management at the Open University
Students pursuing a B.Sc. at the Open University will acquire the foundations
in science and mathematics needed to gain an engineering perspective. A
variety of engineering and social science courses combine to establish the
students' multi-disciplinary perspective. Basic courses in management,
business administration, quantitative methods, and computer science, prepare
the students for the industrial and management engineering studies.
Industrial and management engineering courses constitute the main component
of the program. These courses prepare the students for a variety of positions
in systems planning, operation management and improvement in organizational
settings.
The program of study in Industrial Engineering and Management includes
courses in operations planning and control, production and quality
management, computer integrated manufacturing, operations research,
information systems, human resources, quality engineering, managing
improvement teams, process analysis, production system design, decision-making,
etc. These courses also foster systematic thinking, excellence in written
communications, and organizing skills required to manage projects under
defined schedule and budget constraints.
The courses emphasize the methodological aspects of the discipline and models
simulating the reality in which the industrial engineer will operate as a
professional. The final project complements the methodological contents,
providing students with practical experience in a specific area. The final
project spans two semesters - the first is dedicated for the most part to
practical experience, and the second to writing the paper itself.
During the last 20 years the Open University has been accumulating experience
in providing high quality distance learning courses. This enables us to
maintain a high academic level without limiting the number of students in the
program. To maintain this level, the University strictly regulates all of the
study materials and stages of instruction.
In recent years, the University has been involved in developing various
technologies for improving and expanding distance learning using synchronous
and asynchronous techniques. These techniques enable us to provide study
materials independent of time and place. Based on broadband communication and
computers, the course tutor can interact with the students in or near their
homes.
Through this program of study, the Open University strives to incorporate its
unique characteristics: wide student outreach, distance education,
flexibility in teaching methods and pace of learning, strict quality control
and individual attention.
Structure of the program of study
Background
The academic requirements for a B.Sc. in the Industrial Engineering and
Management include: introductory and basic courses, intermediate courses,
laboratories, electives and a final project. Refer to Table 3 for the schematic structure of the program.
Basic studies include courses in Mathematics, Physics and English.
Introductory courses include courses in industrial engineering, economics,
statistics and computer science. The majority of courses are intermediate
courses which cover a wide-range of topics required in the field. The program
includes laboratories in work measurement, ergonomics, computerized
manufacturing, and production and quality management. Students will gain
experience in a practical specific area in the field through the final
project, conducted during the last two semesters of the program.
For demonstration purposes, the proposed program is structured after
traditional 4-year curricula in other universities. Students are not required
to study according to the proposed timetable, but are expected to maintain
the recommended sequence of courses. The students can pace themselves based
on their available time and the personal preferences. An academic advisor
can assist in designing individual programs of study for each student.
The program of study is based on the following fields:
Mathematics
and introductory courses in Engineering and Physics
Statistics
and Operations Research
Information
Systems and Computer Science
Industrial
Engineering
Economics,
Behavioral Sciences and Management
English
Practical
experience
Structure of the program
The program of study is based on an eight-semester format customary in other
universities. The program includes a total of 35 courses (158 credits),
including laboratories. Prerequisites for existing courses are listed in the
syllabus. Prerequisites for courses being developed or upgraded are noted in
the schematic structure of the program (Table 3).
Laboratories
The study program includes four (required) courses requiring laboratory use:
1. Work measurement
2. Ergonomics
3. Computerized manufacturing
Like laboratories in other universities, laboratory drill will provide
practical experience, demonstrate processes and enhance students'
understanding. In the field of engineering, practical experience is of
considerable importance, and therefore, the program stresses the quality of
the laboratory courses.
Table 2: Sample program of
studies in Industrial Engineering and Management for working students without
background in Mathematics
Table 2a: Sample program of studies in
Industrial Engineering and Management for working students with a strong
background in Mathematics
Table 3: Suggested order of
courses by semesters
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