Tailor Your Education

Focus Areas (FAs) are an excellent way to tailor your undergraduate degree toward your interests. Students also have the option of working with a faculty member to individually design their own FA path. 

Guidelines for FAs

The Focus Area (FA) is a set of 21 semester hours (sh) of elective courses taken during sophomore to senior years that provide undergraduate students with a unique opportunity to acquire advanced education in an area of their choice. FAs are intended to spark the interest of students in a specialty, but they can also make a student more attractive to future employers.

There are two types of FAs:

  • Standard FAs (S-FA) are programs that are designed and pre-approved by the department. Currently offered S-FAs in ISE are listed below; they are periodically reviewed by the department. Descriptions of each S-FA can be obtained from the departmental website or office. Each S-FA has a faculty member as a coordinator who can advise a student in more detail.
  • Tailored FAs (T-FA) are individualized and career-specific programs designed by the student and approved by the department.

Standard FA Options

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Big Data Analytics

Turning raw data into intelligent decisions to tackle business and engineering problems. 

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Computer & Information Systems

Using computer hardware and software to design and develop integrated systems.

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Design & Manufacturing

Mastering industrial processes including casting, welding, machining, forming, and computer-aided design 

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Entrepreneurship

Innovation and creativity, opportunity recognition, venture screening, feasibility analysis, and strategic business planning to optimize processes.

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Human Factors & Ergonomics

Development of optimum work environments by applying principles of human capabilities and limits. 

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Management

Blending engineering and business skills to tackle strategic, tactical, and operational issues that arise in the management of production and service operations.