Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering

Department of Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering and Engineering Management

Industrial and entrepreneurial engineers are engineers who are educated for the new economy, an economy where entrepreneurs with technical skills have tremendous opportunities and career options. They design, improve and implement systems that bring together people, materials and equipment to make businesses function in the most efficient way possible.

If you are interested in learning what it takes to turn creative new ideas into profit-making opportunities using a combination of engineering, economics and communication skills, and if you enjoy solving problems and improving the way people do things, Western Michigan University's industrial and entrepreneurial engineering program might be for you.

WMU's ABET-accredited program combines a traditional industrial engineering curriculum with an entrepreneurial engineering focus that emphasizes engineering design, creativity and innovation. As an industrial and entrepreneurial engineering student at WMU, you will have the opportunity to solve real-world engineering problems in a practical business model setting. You will learn how to bring real products and services to market, and how to start your own company to market and sell your product ideas. You will also learn how to be an entrepreneur in a small company, or how to lead successful entrepreneurial projects in a larger company. You will study subjects such as entrepreneurial engineering, engineering economy, quality control, supply-chain management, ergonomics, computer simulation and operations control at a state-of-art campus designed to promote the future success of its students.

Upon the successful completion of the program, you will have the knowledge and understanding of industrial and entrepreneurial engineering from a combination of academic and practical experiences that complement core engineering, math and science courses. You will be qualified for opportunities in a variety of career endeavors including manufacturing, health care, aerospace, entertainment, distribution, logistics, banking and insurance, among others.

A unique feature of the industrial and entrepreneurial engineering program allows you to apply 15 credit hours toward any minor you want. This is the only engineering program at WMU that has this flexibility.

Beyond the classroom

In the industrial and entrepreneurial engineering program at WMU, you will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on projects with local industry, qualify for our departmental scholarships, and become a member of the Sunseeker solar racing team or one of our student societies, such as the Institute of Industrial Engineers.