Industrial Engineering

• Industrial Engineering graduates have the ability to analyze and implement strategies and solutions to increase the quality and productivity levels of organizations.
• Industrial Engineers are the direct connection between operational and management areas; they motivate and enhance the capabilities of human talent to achieve efficiency.
• USFQ's Industrial Engineering graduates are highly valued. Their obtained degree and experience allow them to work in practically any industry of their interest, both in manufacturing and services, in roles such as: optimization of operations and supply chains, planning and design of industrial plants, implementation of quality systems, optimization of organizational and manufacturing processes, consulting and execution of continuous improvement plans, project management, among many others.

Student Testimonials:

“In my experience, the Industrial Engineering career at USFQ goes beyond classroom teaching: it focuses on providing students with a high quality and unique experience. Without a doubt, it is a door to a world of opportunities. It was thanks to the unconditional support of the professors that I managed to study my fourth year of engineering at Oregon State University, in addition to achieving first place in the IISE global scientific devices contest. Currently, I am working for Kardex Group in the area of ​​business analysis in Zurich, Switzerland. It is the best decision I have ever made.”

- Dominique Almendariz, Industrial Engineering Class of 2018 -

"USFQ is the Ecuadorian university with the most experience in Industrial Engineering and is continuously innovating. Furthermore, as an institution, it includes the student as an important part of the entity, supporting them and taking advantage of their capabilities and aptitudes. It also offers great opportunities and resources in terms of scholarships, in recognition of student effort and performance. "

- Sebastián Mena, Industrial Engineering Class of 2011 -

"Obtaining a university degree is an important decision not only because you choose the activity you plan on dedicating a large part of your time to, but also because you decide the place and the people that will surround you during this stage of growth. With this in mind, I chose USFQ because it gave me the opportunity to learn in a dynamic environment, cultivate great friendships, and learn from excellent professionals. I chose the Industrial Engineering program because it allowed me to learn the most relevant topics in the industry, its organization, management, and processes. The comprehensive vision of Industrial Engineering allows you to learn about manufacturing and services, and opens the door to choose the path of specialization you prefer."

- Giovannina Zapata, Industrial Engineering Class of 2010 -

"I always wanted to study at a university that would allow me to complement my interest in numbers and the Liberal Arts. USFQ not only gave me that opportunity, but also awarded me a scholarship to fulfill that wish. During my undergraduate studies, the General College helped me develop a global vision of things and an incredible desire to explore the arts, sciences, and letters. I studied Industrial Engineering because this program allowed me to improve organizations through the use of science and mathematics without neglecting the human aspect. After earning my BS in Industrial Engineering in 1998, I continued my graduate studies at the University of Illinois, USA, where I earned an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering with a specialization in operations research (mathematical optimization). Currently, I am a professor of Industrial Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology in the USA, I teach graduate programs in operations research. As a university professor, I have the opportunity to do research and develop mathematical models to improve the availability of pediatric vaccines. I will always have a special fondness for USFQ, not only for those fantastic four years of undergraduate studies, but because it brought many close friends into my life, among them many of my professors whom I respect incredibly and whom I now try to emulate, in both their enthusiasm and interest in teaching."

- Rubén Proaño, graduate of Industrial Engineering 1998 -

Our Teachers' Comments:

"To evolve and grow academically through contact with the students and to make them interested in carrying out research on various topics, which involve the industry, the environment, and the university, is a challenge that is taken on on a daily basis and helps to train industrial engineers who, upon graduation, interact in the environment with confidence that what they are doing they learned or can learn."

- Ximena Córdova, Ph.D. -

"I graduated as a Mechanical Engineer, and although this branch of engineering is very interesting, in the professional field I realized that the component of knowledge in Industrial Engineering is fundamental for all professionals, regardless of the area in which they are focused. So, I decided to specialize in Industrial Engineering to finally find my way. From my perspective, Industrial Engineering connects the operational part of any company in any industry with the managerial part and becomes essential in decision making. Even when the Industrial Engineer looks for continuous improvement of any existing process, he is capable of designing a complete system that functions efficiently. I had the opportunity to work for companies dedicated to the construction and distribution of pharmaceutical products, in which I was able to successfully apply Industrial Engineering knowledge. I also experimented in the academic area and I can assure you that Industrial Engineering has multiple greatly relevant areas of knowledge development. Today, as a professor at USFQ, I have the opportunity to openly transmit and expand experiences and knowledge with students and teachers in an environment of trust and respect. "

- Galo Mosquera, Professor -

Educational Objectives

The Industrial Engineering career is designed with the objective that our graduates will be able to achieve the following professional achievements within 3-5 years after graduation:

• Be able to optimize organizational systems by applying industrial engineering tools to achieve efficient and effective solutions.
• Be able to add value to organizations through effective communication and teamwork skills; showing leadership and innovation framed by solid ethical and social values.
• Be able to value the importance of the continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills to adapt to business needs and technological advances.

Student Outcomes

The Industrial Engineering course is designed to enable our students to acquire the following skills and knowledge

1.  Engineering Problems: Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of mathematics, science and engineering.
2.  Systems Design: Apply engineering design/techniques to produce solutions that meet specific needs taking into account public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
3.  Effective Communication: Communicate effectively with a diverse range of audiences.
4.  Accountability: Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities and make informed judgments that consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and social contexts.
5.  Teamwork: Work as part of a team, whose members provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, set goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
6.  Experimentation & Data Analysis: Design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data, and draw conclusions.
7.  Continuous Learning: Acquire and apply new knowledge using appropriate learning strategies.