Industrial engineering is one of the most versatile and impactful fields in engineering—combining technology, people, and processes to make systems safer, more efficient,
and more productive. From improving manufacturing safety at a steel plant to streamlining
food production or optimizing rail maintenance operations, industrial engineers drive innovation across nearly every industry.
At South Dakota Mines, the Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM)
program equips students with expertise in mathematical modeling, statistics, human
factors, safety engineering, and project management. Through applied problem-solving
and teamwork, students learn to design and manage complex systems that integrate machines,
materials, and information.
The Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management equips students
to design and improve complex systems that connect people, processes, and technology.
Through hands-on learning and involvement in professional organizations, students
build technical, leadership, and problem-solving skills for success across industries.
Industrial engineering students gain hands-on experience with tools like 3D printing,
CNC machining, laser engraving, and simulation software. With the most elective flexibility
of any engineering program on campus, students can tailor their studies toward interests
in fields such as healthcare, computer science, or business. Early career preparation
is a priority, with resume support, career fair guidance, and paid co-op and internship
opportunities at top companies including Cargill, Collins Aerospace, Hormel, Michelin,
and Union Pacific.
The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers' primary purpose is to foster both
a professional and social atmosphere within the profession. The Hardrock Chapter of
IISE is involved with laser engraving, FE Exam prep, nationwide competitions, attending
regional and national conferences, and more. Students interested in joining IISE
should contact the chapter president, Dr. Piper (the faculty adviser), or checkout
theFacebook page for more information.
A list of student activities and campus organizations may be found onRocker Central.
Academic Excellence
Prepare to be inspired by the cutting-edge curriculum, research, practical applications,
and visionary thinking that these esteemed professors bring to the field. Get ready
to embark on a journey of discovery and advancement as you learn.
Lin Guo - Assistant Professor
Lin Guo’s research centers on machine learning-based optimization, advanced manufacturing,
and cyber-physical systems, focusing on enhancing algorithms and optimization techniques
to improve system robustness. Her work spans manufacturing, quality control, supply
chain management, healthcare queuing, network design, decision support systems, and
product end-of-life management. With over 20 publications, she co-authored the monograph:
Architecting Satisficing Strategies for Designing Complex Systems.
Suhao Chen - Assistant Professor
Dr. Chen's research is primarily about data science and engineering. Areas of focus
include predictive analytics through temporal modeling of longitudinal data, manipulating
real-world electronic health records, unsupervised learning such as clustering, and
extracting information from texts using natural language processing models. Dr. Chen
also has expertise in optimization and supply chain analysis.
Research Labs & Centers
Work with our renowned faculty and collaborate on groundbreaking projects that address
real-world challenges. The hands-on experience and expertise you will acquire here
will not only contribute to your academic growth but also prepare you for successful
careers in academia, industry, or government agencies.
STEM education
With nationally recognized experts in engineering education and transformative curriculum,
the department supports a variety of educational environments that produce outstanding
graduates who meet or exceed the National Academy of Engineering’s “Attributes of the Engineer of 2020.”
Human engineering
Virtually every company we know, whether it be mining, manufacturing, construction,
or other related industry, safety is paramount. Department faculty members have active
research programs in safety, industrial hygiene, and ergonomics.
Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
Lean enterprises and sustainability are at the core of the industrial engineering
and engineering management program; and we support a variety of research and design
projects each year that help area industry prosper and grow.
