UA renames degree to reflect industry changes

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas' Department of Industrial Engineering will rename its undergraduate degree the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Analytics effective this fall.
Industrial engineers have been integral to optimizing systems involving people, equipment and information across various industries, including transportation, retail, healthcare and production. With the advent of advanced computing power, these professionals are now more adept at leveraging analytics tools to enhance operational designs and improvements.
For more than 70 years, the department has taken pride in awarding a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering to thousands of students,” said Chase Rainwater, department head of industrial engineering. “The decision to add operations analytics to the degree name reflects the evolving role and skills of modern industrial engineers.”
The degree program name change follows a comprehensive revision of the undergraduate program. These changes were made to meet the increasing demand for analytics expertise among industrial stakeholders. This revamped curriculum places a greater emphasis on computing, modern data analysis techniques, early training in mathematical modeling, and more application-driven courses in operations analysis, engineering and improvement.

In the current landscape, these skills will be used to create data-driven models to understand past performances, predict future behaviors and prescribe effective policies for industrial systems. The updates to the curriculum have garnered positive feedback from students, alumni, employers and academic peers.
By incorporating these changes, UA aims to produce graduates proficient in traditional industrial engineering skills and equipped with innovative analytical abilities. This initiative ensures that the program remains relevant and continues to meet the evolving needs of industries that increasingly rely on data and analytics for their operational strategies.
Kim Needy, dean of the College of Engineering, added, “I am proud that the faculty of the Department of Industrial Engineering has recognized emerging needs in our field. It is important that we evolve our programs to ensure that future generations of industrial engineering graduates are prepared to be successful.”