Hello, I was just wondering how difficult of a house load this seems to be at Iowa State. Use the link and then click the “Industrial Engineering” link and have a look. http://www.engineering.iastate.edu/student-services/advising/four-year-plan/
I’m steady on the fact that I will put hours of studying in when needed, but I don’t want to be doing that 24/7. How possible is it with time management to have a good social life with this course load?
It looks like a typical IE curriculum and load. If you take a few classes over a summer term, that will help lower the load. With good time management skills, you should be able to handle it and still have some fun.
You’re going to have to get used to the idea that engineering students don’t have as much free time as many other majors. You will have a lot to learn in 4 years, but that’s why the degree is of such value in the market place.
Good Luck!
Semesters 3, 5, and 7 look a bit iffy but mostly because of the non-IE courses (Statics? Thermodynamics?) the IE classes themselves are pretty standard stuff. If you could squeak a Semester 3 class in the summer before Semester 3 life could be a bit easier.
One of my kids was an Industrial and Systems engineering major. Also played on a very competitive club sports team for a couple of years that travelled to tournaments, had friends, went to football games, etc. Graduated on time and did not need to take any courses in the summer (but some do, of course). He worked every summer during college as work/an internship was the priority. Went to Virginia Tech and needed 133 credits to graduate. You would be taking any of the initial courses that any engineering student does and you have to do well in them and manage your time. Iowa State seems to be on the low end of how many credits you need to graduate-122. I looked at a few other programs out of curiosity- NC State is 124, Clemson, 125, Georgia Tech 128 (#1 program -Industrial and Systems), PSU 129, Virginia Tech 133 credits for an Industrial and Systems Engineering degree.