1991-1993 Catalog - Catalogs - West Virginia University

FacultyProfessorRoy S. Nutter, Jr., Ph.D. (WVU). Interim Chairperson. Neural networks, Microprocessorsystems, Computer architecture, Expert systems.Robert E. Swartwout, Ph.D. (U. III.). Emeritus.Stuart K. Tewksbury, Ph.D. (U. Rochester). VLSI & ULSI digital electronics, Digitalcommunications, Microprocessor systems.Associate ProfessorPowsiri Klinkhachorn, Ph.D. (WVU). Microprocessor applications, Computerarchitecture, Binary and non-binary logic.Assistant ProfessorsHany H. Ammar, Ph.D. (U. Notre Dame). Modeling and evaluation of parallel anddistributed systems performance and dependability.Afzel Noore, Ph.D. (WVU). Fault-tolerant computing, Design for testability, VLSI designand testing, Computer architecture, Distributed and parallel processing.Ernest L. Walker, Ph.D. (N.C. State U.). Communication systems, Signal processing,Computer networks, Statistical communication theory, Stochastic processing,Information and Queueing theory, Network performance analysis and simulation.Industrial EngineeringRalph W. Plummer, Ph.D. (WVU). Chairperson.Curriculum in Industrial EngineeringDegree: Bachelor of Science in Industrial EngineeringIndustrial engineering began in the latter part of the nineteenth century throughthe efforts of such pioneers as Frederick Taylor and Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. Theseearly industrial engineers were concerned with improving the effectiveness of industrialoperations. They made remarkable savings possible through the use of motion andtime studies and methods analysis. As industry became more complex, with largescale systems, industrial engineers became involved in the design of productionfacilities using plant layout procedures. They also were developing quality controlplans, which are so important today in providing consumer protection in productpurchases. As production processes and facilities expanded, the industrial engineerwas responsible for developing and managing productive, safe systems. In the latefifties and in the early sixties, the computer became a powerful new tool for use insolving management problems. As the computer became more versatile, the industrialengineer used the computer to solve larger and more complex management problemsthrough such modern management science tools as operations research.Today's students learn the fundamental engineering principles that have beendeveloped in the past; however, the industrial engineering student increasingly usesthe computer to solve industrial and social problems. At the same time, the industrialengineer has become even more involved with the human element of the organization.The industrial engineering area known as ergonomics is concerned with humanproductivity, health, and safety as they relate to the job and the working environment.The graduating industrial engineer has a versatile degree that can be used in everyendeavor of society. Since industrial engineers are involved in more effective managementof organizations, they are not limited to any one industry. Many have takenemployment in such businesses as hospitals, banks, and virtually every governmentalagency. Industries have found that their managers perform better when they possess ablend of technical engineering knowledge plus a background in management. Theindustrial engineer has an excellent blending of these two fields—technology andmanagement. The top managers of many of our largest organizations are industrialengineers.214 College of Engineering