Math, Data,
Decision-Making...
Oh My!
Decision-Making...
Oh My!
These two, related, very important mathematical fields are covered under the same course. The course is owned by the ISE department, although every Speed School student must take it.
Hint: Don't believe me? You can probably check the stats on that.
What are Probability and Statistics?
This two-word term describes the entire network of processes that transform, and transport, raw materials into a more valuable final product.
Hint: They're only as strong as their weakest links.
What is "supply chain"?
This automobile pioneer revolutionized manufacturing with the moving assembly line in 1913, dramatically reducing the cost of cars.
Hint: Focus!
Who is Henry Ford?
This "people-first" (literally) field of ISE aims to design our world to be safer, more efficient, and more comfortable for humans to use and interact with.
Hint: Ask for one of the pamphlets about the ISE program at our table. This is one of our "focus areas" described in the pamphlet.
What is Human Factors?
As of 2026, besides UofL, there are only this many institutions in Kentucky where you can study ISE and be granted a degree in it.
Hint: It's a really small number.
What is zero?
ISEs use this operations-management tool to make future decisions, based on historical data.
Hint: If you turn on the news at the right time, a meteorologist will be showing you one about the weather... normally called a weather "___".
What is a forecast?
An important part of the work of ISEs is balancing the capabilities and limitations of advanced technology with the capabilities of these these other important systems components.
Hint: They eat, sleep, and talk.
Who are people?
Led by the work of ISE Ray Kroc, this fast food giant was the first to apply assembly-line principles to the food industry.
Hint: The company has since served "billions and billions".
What is McDonald's?
This term represents a field of ISE that revolves around the physical movement of goods, services and information between suppliers and customers. UPS loves it, according to one of their old slogans.
Hint: Hint: Ask for one of the pamphlets about the ISE program at our table. This is one of our "focus areas" described in the pamphlet.
What is Logistics?
The UofL ISE department boasts this rank for job growth outlook among all engineering disciplines.
Hint: It's a really good rank.
What is 1st?
This field of applied mathematics focuses on finding the "optimal" solution to a problem out of a set of available alternatives. ISEs use it to find ways to design a process to make the most out of limited resources.
Hint: The root word is in the prompt.
What is optimization?
This 4-letter manufacturing strategy seeks to eliminate waste without sacrificing productivity.
Hint: One might describe this strategy as the act of "trimming off the fat" of a process... for $300, the steaks are fairly high (ba dum tss).
What is "lean"?
This glasses-wearing half of Good Mythical Morning graduated from NC State University in 2001 with an ISE (then simply called IE) degree... let's talk about that.
Hint: Find out in Good Mythical More...
Who is Link Neal?
This field of ISE, often called "management science" but called "___s Research" in our department, creates models to simulate complex problems and aims to determine the best possible solution for them. The answer we're looking for is also the name of a popular medical board game.
Hint: Ask for one of the pamphlets about the ISE program at our table. This is one of our "focus areas" described in the pamphlet.
What Operation?
This Pennsylvania university is credited with founding the first formal ISE (then called IE) department in United States academia.
Hint: What even is a Nittany Lion?
What is Penn State University?
Fun fact, their program precedes Henry Ford's assembly line.
[DAILY DOUBLE] This type of simulation, whose name is initialized with the word "DT," acts as a virtual copy of physical objects and systems. ISEs use these to make informed decisions on how to change a system before doing so in the real world.
Hint: Not for the Daily Double...
What is a digital twin?
This three-word phrase refers to the connection Of everyday Things to the Internet. This allows these everyday things to collect, share, and act on data without human intervention.
Hint: The mid-sentence capitalization in the first sentence is not a typo.
What is the Internet of Things?
[DAILY DOUBLE] This Japanese automotive giant's famed "___ Production System" (named after the company) laid the foundation for lean manufacturing in the US as we know it today.
Hint: "What you think I rap for? So I can push a RAV-4?"
What is Toyota?
This field of ISE aims to integrate intelligent systems into processes that turn raw materials into useful products, driving up their speed, efficiency and repeatability/precision. These technologies "keep production moving forward", so to speak.
Hint: Ask for one of the pamphlets about the ISE program at our table. This is one of our "focus areas" described in the pamphlet.
What is Advanced Manufacturing?
This was the first year UofL enrolled students in a standalone department named for "industrial engineering" (the S came much later).
Hint: MTV launched the same year. Video may have killed the radio star, but we just got born.
What is 1981?
Certification with a metaphorical "belt" (like in karate) that is this color denotes an individual who is well-trained in many basic ISE principles, mainly data-based decision making. You can get it as a UofL student for a huge discount.
Hint: It's a secondary color.
What is green?
[DAILY DOUBLE] This temperature-controlled supply chain ensures your ice cream stays cold and your vaccines stay usable from factory to pharmacy.
Hint: Not for the Daily Double...
What is a cold chain?
This man was at the helm of Apple, Inc. as Steve Jobs' successor from 2011 to 2026. He is an ISE by training (but they still just called it "IE" at the time -- Auburn University '82).
Hint: If last names dictated your job, we'd be seeing him on Food Network instead.
Who is Tim Cook?
This field of ISE involves the process of taking raw data and using it to identify patterns, trends, and answers that can contribute to informed decision-making. Unfortunately, the "DA" says I'm not supposed to explain any further.
Hint: Ask for one of the pamphlets about the ISE program at our table. This is one of our "focus areas" described in the pamphlet.
What is Data Analytics?
Founded in 1948 for the field of industrial (and systems!) engineering, the IISE is still the professional society to join for ISE students and professionals alike. UofL's chapter has this level of recognition from the organization!
Hint: It's what you go for at the Olympics.
What is gold?