Program Objectives and Skills

Our objective is to prepare students for successful careers by teaching students to:

Describe the essential components and inter-connective relationships within complex systems.
Design and execute experiments and create mathematical, numerical, heuristic, and other objective models.
Understand the innovations that form the building blocks of the modern technological world.
Generate and validate solutions to a problem.
Work with others in a collaborative environment and contribute to the success of an organization.
Clearly articulate and communicate findings.
Understand contemporary developments in the field.
Describe the principles for managing and operating production systems within their area of emphasis.

These objectives are reflected in the following skills acquired by our undergraduates.

Skills Acquired by USC ISE Undergraduates

REALIZE SYSTEMS
Program Outcome	Course
Completion of an integrated design project with industry	495
Computational architectures for enterprise integration	382
Design and implementation of a database application using single user database software	382
Design of distribution and supply chain systems	310
Design processes	440,470,495
Environment in design (noise, illumination, etc.)	370,470
Ergonomic risk factors	370,470
Factory floor scheduling for flowshops and jobshops	410
Human cognitive and perceptual abilities	370,470
Human Control of Systems	370,470
Information technology and organizational performance	440
Integrated production planning and control	410
Introduction to Client-server architectures	382
Layout of job shops and production lines; material flow system design	310,435
Manufacturing strategy, from mass production to mass customization	440
Process planning and schedule design	232,310
Technology implementation	440

MODELING
Program Outcome	Course
Algorithm design	CSCI 101L
Application of linear algebra and matrix theory	330
Computation of compounded interest and evaluation of inflation	460
Computation of expectation, variance and standard deviation from probability functions	220
Data acquisition, model construction, experiment design, simulation output analysis	435
Data analysis, probability distributions software	105,225,426
Data collection and analysis	225,232,435
Data modeling, relational models and database design	382
Design of single and multi-factor experiments; analysis of variance	225,435
Differential calculus	Math 125
Discrete time and continuous Markov chains	331
Economic analysis of projects techniques and software, including benefit/cost, return on investment, present work, future worth, cash flow equivalence	460
Facility layout techniques and software; space and activity relationships	310, 435
Financial and managerial accounting	460, Acct 410x
Gantt charts	410
Graphical and mathematical (LP,IP) models for aggregate production planning	310,330,410
High-level programming language	435,CSCI101L
Information input (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.)	370,470
Integral calculus and infinite series	Math 126
Job design	370,440
Knowledge of important discrete, continuous & sampling probability distributions	220
Linear algebra and linear differential equations	Math 225
Material requirements planning	310,410
Methods for evaluating depreciation and after-tax cash flows	460
Microeconomics	460, Econ 203
Mulituser database software	382
Multiple linear regression	225,410
Multivariate differential and integral calculus	Math 226
Object oriented modeling	382
Optimization algorithms and software	330
Organizational mapping and design	440
Parameter estimation and statistical inference	225
Program correctness and verification	435,CSCI 101L
Simulation of discrete systems and simulation software	435
Site location techniques and geographic information system software	310
Time series forecasting methods	410
Univariate and multivariate random variables and functions of random variables	220
Work flow analysis and machining requirements planning	310
Worker characteristics, motivation and rewards	440

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS
Program Outcome	Course
Classical mechanics and thermodynamics	Phys 151L
Electricity and magnetism	Phys 152L
Elementary engineering drawings and computer aided design	232,310
Exposure to manufacturing and warehouse sites via visits	105,232
General chemistry	Chem 105aL
Methods and technologies for material handling; warehouse operations	310
Science and Technology	GE IV

PROBLEM SOLVING
Program Outcome	Course
Assignment optimization algorithms	330
Branch-and-bound method of integer programming	310
Breakeven analysis	310, 460
Engineering and business ethics & professionalism	105,440,495
Inventory planning, including order quantity, reorder point, ABC Analysis	410
Linear programming duality theory and sensitivity analysis	330
Network algorithms: maximum flow and minimum cost flow algorithms	330
Network algorithms: shortest path and minimum spanning tree algorithms	330
Queueing model analysis with Poisson arrivals	331
Selection among alternatives in engineering decisions, such as replacement, technology alternatives, investments	460
Simplex method for optimizing linear programs	330
Transportation and assignment algorithm	330

COLLABORATE IN TEAMS
Program Outcome	Course
Project management tools	105,495
Team projects and leadership	105,440,470,495
Virtual organizations, Design of work teams and concurrent engineering	440
Virtual teaming	410

COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY
Program Outcome	Course
Analytical and argumentative writing	Writ 140
Business communication, including memoranda	105,232,440,495
Conflict resolution	440
Presentation of results using graphical tools	105,495
Presentation of results using graphical tools	410,435,495
Project report documenting design projects	105,310,382,410,426,435,495
Technical writing	Writ 340

LEARN THROUGH A LIFETIME
Program Outcome	Course
Arts and Letters	Gen Ed V
Non-western Cultural Tradition	Gen Ed II
Report on original research, requiring literature search	370,440
Social Issues	GE VI
Western Cultural Tradition	Gen Ed I

EXHIBIT KNOWLEDGE of ISE DOMAIN
Program Outcome	Course
Acceptance sampling for attributes and variables	426,435
Casting, machining, forming and welding processes	232
Computer users and their differences	470
Control charts for variables and attributes	426
Data structures, data organization, data access	CSCI 102L, IOM 435
Direct manipulation and virtual environments	435,470
Electronic manufacturing & rapid prototyping	232
Information visualization	435,470
Interface theories and principles	470
Measurement capability (Gage R&R) study	426
Menu selection and dialog	470
Natural language interfaces	470
Network analysis, semiconductors, amplifiers, modulation, and switching	EE 326L
On-line quality control	232
Performance ratings, standard times, work sampling and allowances	370
Physical arrangement of work spaces; software for manual material handling	370,435
Polymer and composite material processing; material properties	232
Process capability analysis	426
Software development and management	435, CSCI 201, IOM 431, IOM 433
Time and motion study and task analysis	370
Total Quality Management principles	426
Understanding of modern tools for information systems engineering	CS,ITP,IOM electives
Usability testing, survey and evaluation	470
Work methods and motion economy; human dimensions and capabilities SW	370