Why study Industrial Engineering at Dal?

Enhance performance of systems and processes

Industrial Engineers optimize processes and systems by finding ways to save time, money, energy, and materials, while enhancing efficiency, sustainability and safety. 

Industrial Engineering is at the heart of society’s essential systems. From hospitals to airlines, manufacturers to telecom companies, Industrial Engineers design solutions to improve the performance of complex systems of people, technology and information.

Degree overview

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Engineering, BEng
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering; Faculty of Agriculture
Department: Department of Industrial Engineering
Campuses: Sexton Campus, Halifax; Agricultural Campus, Truro
Program Length: 4 years non co-op accelerated program. 5 year co-op or non co-op program
Program Start: September & May



What will I learn?

In the first two years of your degree, all engineering students complete the Core Engineering Program. This Program can be taken on the Sexton Campus in Halifax, or the Agricultural Campus in Truro. You will study core courses in math, science, engineering science and design, providing you with a broad foundation in engineering.

At the end of your first year, you can apply to enter Industrial Engineering. Placement is competitive and based on academic performance in the first year, however a first-year GPA of 3.5 guarantees admission to Industrial Engineering.

In the third year of your degree, you will transition into your discipline and can choose to combine your degree with co-operative education. You can also choose to do an accelerated non-co-op four-year program by starting in May.

In the Dal Industrial Engineering program, you’ll learn how to review workflows, analyse data, and learn mathematical models to create effective processes of products. 

Areas of Study:

  • Sustainable supply chain management
  • Health systems optimization
  • Maritime risk management & logistics 
  • Data analytics
  • Acute stroke treatment & emergency services logistics
  • Blood services optimization
  • Optimization
  • Considering humans in systems design
  • Operational Excellence

Students enrolled in the Industrial Engineering Program at Dalhousie can combine their degree with a Certificate in Biomedical Engineering



Careers and future study

A degree in Engineering from Dalhousie gives you the knowledge and skills you need to be highly employable in a wide variety of areas, whether you decide to launch your career locally, nationally or internationally. The range of career options you’ll find in engineering is truly impressive. Here are just a few of the sectors where our Industrial Engineering grads work:

  • Manufacturing 
  • Health care
  • Aerospace
  • Oil & Gas
  • Ship Building
  • Supply Chain
  • Utilities
  • Service Industries
  • Transportation

Graduating from Dalhousie is the first step towards becoming a professional engineer and the beginning of a lifelong learning experience. After earning your Bachelor of Engineering, you will need to be admitted as an Engineer in Training (EIT) by an Association of Professional Engineers in Canada - and you'll receive your coveted engineering ring.

Once you have completed four years of suitable work experience, you may apply to become a professional engineer.



Admission requirements

Undergraduate admission requirements vary based on your previous education and your intended program of study at Dalhousie. Learn about our admissions requirements, book a campus tour, or connect with an advisor if you have questions about your eligibility for admission.

View admission requirements



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