Industrial engineers are optimization experts, focusing on the effective use of people, machines, materials, information and energy to improve processes for products and services. This unique engineering field includes the development of analytical methods and techniques that concentrate on higher productivity and better quality. Firms looking to develop more efficient processes hire industrial engineers to reduce costs and waste while increasing safety and efficiency.

The industrial engineering department at the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering is highly-ranked, consisting of top-performing students and world-class faculty and researchers. Undergraduate students in the industrial engineering department are taught by professors who are actively conducting research in the areas of healthcare and medical decision making, homeland and port security, energy, reliability and maintenance, logistics and transportation, supply chains and manufacturing.

Additionally, undergraduate students are exposed to professional and research opportunities throughout their education. Houston is home to the second-most Fortune 500 headquarters of all major cities in the United States.