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
Big Data Analytics
Turning raw data into intelligent decisions to tackle business and engineering problems.
Computer & Information Systems
Using computer hardware and software to design and develop integrated systems.
Design & Manufacturing
Mastering industrial processes including casting, welding, machining, forming, and computer-aided design
Entrepreneurship
Innovation and creativity, opportunity recognition, venture screening, feasibility analysis, and strategic business planning to optimize processes.
Human Factors & Ergonomics
Development of optimum work environments by applying principles of human capabilities and limits.
Management
Blending engineering and business skills to tackle strategic, tactical, and operational issues that arise in the management of production and service operations.