Plan ahead for courses where students have earned lower grades.
Lowest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.
23 courses
Ranked courses have at least 100 recorded letter grades.
Linear Optimization covers problems with linear inequality constraints, emphasizing formal proofs, the simplex method's theory, duality, and theorems of the alternatives.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Carla Michini
Homeworks were extremely hard at times, though the total volume was limited to eight assignments. The workload is demanding due to the difficulty of the problems rather than the quantity.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Operations Research-Deterministic Modeling covers basic techniques for modeling and optimizing deterministic systems with emphasis on linear programming, including computer solutions and applications to production, logistics, and service.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Jeff Linderoth
Students reported that homework took a long time and exams included difficult true and false questions. Success required understanding how to solve homework problems independently and attending lectures.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Introduction to Optimization covers mathematical optimization from a modeling and solution perspective, focusing on formulating discrete and continuous optimization problems and equilibrium models.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Michael Ferris, Laurent Lessard
Homework assignments were difficult and time-consuming, with one student noting they would ruin their social life, while another found them helpful for learning.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Covers discrete-time and continuous-time Markov chains, Poisson point processes, and renewal processes, with applications to queueing, branching, and models in science, engineering, and business.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Timo Seppalainen
Homework assignments were challenging and time-consuming, but students noted there were only about ten. The homework was significantly harder than the exams, meaning thorough homework completion often reduced the need for additional exam study.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Nonlinear Optimization I covers theory and algorithms for nonlinear optimization, focusing on unconstrained optimization techniques.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Michael Ferris
Assignments often required more than 14 hours to complete, with no penalty-free late days or assignment drops available.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Engineering Economic Analysis covers financial accounting, cost systems, and the use of accounting reports for economic decision-making, including DCF, CVP, and capital budgeting.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Tina Xu
Homeworks were straightforward and the group project was mostly graded on completion. Exams were open note, allowing students to refer to materials during testing.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Covers stochastic system analysis via analytics and simulation, focusing on queueing, manufacturing, Markov chains, and project management.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Qiaomin Xie
Homework was incredibly difficult because students did not do related examples in class or lab, and instructors were not great at helping.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Simulation Modeling Laboratory involves computer exercises in random variables, queuing system spreadsheets, and simulation software, concluding with a project.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Covers inspection data, sampling plans, process control charts, and reliability models for quality control.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Hantang Qin
One student reported the class was extremely difficult, citing poor instruction.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Design and Analysis of Manufacturing Systems covers techniques for designing, analyzing, operating, and controlling modern manufacturing systems through case studies using industry data.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Production Planning and Control covers techniques for designing inventory, production, quality, and project-planning systems, including computer applications.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Sinan Tas
The course project was described as really time-consuming. The textbook was essential for the final exam, and while lectures were tough to get through, discussion sections helped clarify practical application.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Covers fundamentals of data management and analysis for industrial engineers, including database strategies, preprocessing, visualization, and modeling using MySQL and R.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Tina Xu
Homework was similar to in-class problems, and one student found it easy to get extra credit for attendance. Exam difficulty varied by review, with some finding them easy and others describing them as decently hard with little preparation guidance.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Machine Learning in Action for Industrial Engineers covers principles, algorithms, and predictive analytics for improving decision-making in healthcare, transportation, and public sectors.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Ari Smith
Homework and quizzes were considered fair, but project directions were vague and super open-ended, requiring students to talk to the instructor to stay on track.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Introductory industrial statistics course covering probability, descriptive statistics, inference, and regression applied to engineering problems using Microsoft Excel.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Amanda Smith, Hannah Silber
Weekly homework assignments and quizzes formed a substantial part of the workload, often covering current material. A group project required consistent effort, though criteria were clearly defined.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics introduces engineers to designing manufacturing and industrial operations where people play a significant role, maximizing human capabilities while minimizing physical stress and optimizing workload.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Robert Radwin
Weekly workload consisted of one quiz with unlimited attempts, one homework assignment, and one in-class assignment, alongside two exams and a final project.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2024–Spring 2026Introduction to Human Factors covers human capabilities and limits in system design, exploring cognitive, physical, and psychosocial perspectives to support user needs and evaluate system performance.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Hannah Silber
The workload included approximately three tests and four reading assignments, alongside group work that students described as very easy to complete.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Fundamentals of Industrial Data Analytics covers using data analytics for data-driven decisions, emphasizing application to industrial engineering problems via modeling strategies.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Tina Xu
The course features weekly homework with 4 to 5 questions covering lecture material. Students noted that the exams align precisely with the instructor's outlines, making preparation straightforward for those who study consistently.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Special topics in human factors engineering; course topic varies by semester.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Ranjana Mehta
The workload was rated at the maximum difficulty level, with specific frustration cited regarding the grading process for group project deliverables.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Introduction to industrial engineering subject matter, problem types, and design/analysis approaches with emphasis on formulation and design alternatives.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Hannah Silber
There were no exams or homework, only mandatory attendance and a group project. One student estimated the project took an hour, while another noted it was easy.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Industrial Engineering Design II is a team-based course where students collaborate with external clients to design or redesign systems/processes using ISyE methodologies for analysis, solution development, and implementation planning.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Industrial Engineering Design I introduces design tools via experiential learning, including conducting experiments, analyzing real-world data, designing systems, and testing prototypes.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Tony McDonald
The reviewer found the hardest part was figuring out what to do, as directions were unclear, nonexistent, or posted twice with significant differences.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Introduction to Human Factors Engineering Laboratory provides hands-on experience applying ISYE/PSYCH 349 concepts through a three-part design project.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026A graduate seminar where topics vary. Students identify and describe modern challenges in industrial engineering.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026