Industrial Engineering (IE) is the application of engineering, scientific, and mathematical principles to the integration, operation, and optimization of complex systems. Such complex systems include those involving humans, machinery, materials, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and information. IE leverages knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines to methodically improve systems through engineering design and analysis, statistical analysis, quality control and reliability, computer simulation, information science, and other technological fields.
Mechanical engineers play a significant role in designing and manufacturing all of the products and systems essential to everyday modern life: recreational equipment, automobiles, aerospace systems, airplanes, medical devices, robots, industrial equipment, power generation, and sustainable energy systems. The field of mechanical engineering (ME) is concerned with the mechanical, thermal, and fluid-flow aspects of all of these systems, including computer and feedback control of complex systems. As a mechanical engineering student at the University of Utah, you will learn the professional, technical, critical thinking, and communication skills you need to be successful and make meaningful contributions to this exciting field.
Mechanical engineers are prepared to pursue work in a variety of fields using the skills gained from coursework, research, or interning. U alumni have found work as engineers in a number of areas such as product design, aerospace, medical devices, robotics, manufacturing, sustainable energy, hi-tech, and software development including artificial intelligence and machine learning. With additional education at the graduate level, students can become project managers, professors, researchers, lawyers, or doctors.