Introduction to the Major
Industrial engineers find the most effective and efficient way to use basic factors of production—people, machines, materials, information, and energy—to make a product or provide a service. In Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR), we invent, analyze and teach tools and approaches for design, analysis, risk management, and decision-making in complex real-world systems like supply chains, energy systems, healthcare systems, and financial systems.
The department offers a major accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. A minor in IEOR is available, as well as an Operations Research and Management Science major in the College of Letters & Science.
“This world is full of challenges, and with an IEOR education I can tackle many—if not all—of them.”
- Jenny Cortez, IEOR Class of 2018
The IEOR Curriculum
The core of the IEOR program includes basic science, mathematics including probability and statistics, engineering optimization, and stochastic models. This forms the methodological foundation for upper division IEOR electives involving the analysis and design of production and service systems, information systems, and human work systems and organization, among others.
Amplify Your Major
- Join an Engineering student group such as the Institute of Industrial Systems Engineers or Alpha Pi Mu
- Take a Challenge Lab course such as IEOR 185.
- Enrich your studies with the Sutardja Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Technology
- Build your skills with electives such as IEOR 142: Introduction to Machine Learning and Data Analytics or IEOR 150: Production Systems Analysis.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet with your ESS advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
- Talk to the IEOR advisor about department programs and research opportunities.
- Enroll in ENGIN 98: The Insider's Guide to Berkeley Engineering.
Connect and Build Community
- Take advantage of tutoring and workshops for Engineering students at the Center for Access to Engineering Excellence.
- Discover student opportunities in the ESS newsletter and new student podcast.
- Find study space and resources in the Kresge Engineering Library.
Discover Your Passions
- Browse research taking place in Engineering centers, institutes, and labs.
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
- Broaden your perspective by attending Newton Series or View from the Top lectures.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
- Explore Engineering student organizations.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
- Develop a plan for getting career ready.
- Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Explore career resources on the Engineering website.
- Attend an ESS workshop to create a resume and LinkedIn page.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Talk to ESS peer advisors about life in the major.
- Meet with your ESS advisor to discuss your academic progress and any challenges.
- Complete lower division prerequisites and start planning your upper division courses.
- Plan now for a double major, simultaneous degree, minor, or study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
- Join an Engineering student group such as the Institute of Industrial Systems Engineers.
- Start attending department events.
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors in office hours.
- Continue attending tutoring and workshops, and reading the weekly ESS newsletter.
Discover Your Passions
- Consider pursuing a research opportunity for Engineering and IEOR students.
- Apply to the Fung Fellowship or a REU research program. Check Berkeley Lab and Beehive for more research options.
- Explore entrepreneurship through the Sutardja Center and Skydeck.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Contribute to a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course such as ENGIN 157AC.
- Consider a Berkeley Global Internship such as the Engineering Internship in Toronto.
- Mentor local youth with Pioneers in Engineering or Berkeley Engineers and Mentors.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Think about which industries interest you (supply chains, healthcare, semiconductors, transportation)
- Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
- Explore careers through GLOBE Ambassadors and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship and attend an internship career fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Focus on upper division requirements and electives such as machine learning (IEOR 142) or production systems analysis (IEOR 150).
- Continue meeting with your ESS advisor to review your academic progress.
- Take a Challenge Lab course (IEOR 185), Data X (IEOR 135) or another project-based class.
Connect and Build Community
- Give back by becoming an ESS peer advisor.
- Join the Berkeley Engineering group on LinkedIn.
- Explore student groups outside of Engineering, and deepen your involvement with an Engineering student group.
- Check out Alpha Pi Mu, the Industrial Engineering Honor Society.
Discover Your Passions
- Apply for a research opportunity if you haven’t done so already.
- Check out design and maker opportunities at the Jacobs Institute.
- Consider earning the Sutardja Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Technology.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Learn how to be an ethical and inclusive global leader through the LeaderShape Institute.
- Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
- Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Attend career and graduate school fairs such as the STEM Career & Internship Fair.
- Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors. Make an advising appointment in ESS to explore a 5th year MS, MEng, or PhD.
- Sign up for an ESS career workshop, networking dinner, or career conference.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet with your ESS advisor to do an official degree check and plan for your final year.
- Target your senior project towards your desired career or future education.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
- Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
- Join a professional association related to your interests.
- Connect with alumni groups and leverage your network as you prepare to graduate.
- Follow up with your past professors and ask what you can do to help them as an IEOR alumnus.
Discover Your Passions
- each your own DeCal course.
- Consider being an instructor for ENGIN 98.
- Continue to pursue your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
- Choose your post-baccalaureate plans based upon your intended mission and impact as an Engineer.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Serve as a student representative on a college committee.
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Engineers without Borders, Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
- Go to Employer Info Sessions, and On-Campus Recruiting
- Attend the job offer negotiation workshop in ESS.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
The IEOR major prepares students for technical careers in production or service industries. It provides a strong foundation for those headed for engineering management positions or for those intending to go on to specialized graduate study in operations research, industrial engineering, or business administration.
Jobs and Employers
- Analyst Consultant, Goldman Sachs
- Asst. Baseball R&D, Tampa Bay Rays
- Business Analyst, Macquarie
- Business Tech. Analyst, Deloitte
- Consultant, Applied Predictive Technologies
- Data Analyst, Sweetgreen
- Data Engineer, Bechtel
- Finance Associate, Quicken Loans
- Industrial Engineer, SpaceX
- IT Project Management, Quicken Loans
- Product Manager, SAP
- Research Analyst, Hall Capital Partners
- Software Engineer, LiveRamp
- Tech Consultant, Deloitte
- Test Engineer, Northrop Grumman
Graduate Programs
- Business, Masters
- Computational Math., Masters
- Computer Science, Masters, PhD
- Economics, PhD
- Engineering Science, Masters
- Industrial Engineering, Masters
- Operations Research, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit ieor.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Visit Engineering Student Services in 230 Bechtel for advising on academic difficulty, change of major/double majors/simultaneous degrees, withdrawal/readmission, degree completion, education abroad, academic progress, and petitions and exceptions. See engineering.berkeley.edu/advising for more information.
For department-specific advising, contact the IEOR undergraduate advisor at ieor-student-services@berkeley.edu
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
