4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research and Business Administration at the University of California, Berkeley, is a distinctive dual-degree programme offered through the Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology (M.E.T.) programme. Combining engineering, business strategy, data analytics, and entrepreneurship, it prepares students to solve complex organisational challenges, develop innovative solutions, and lead technology-driven businesses.
Curriculum Structure
The integrated four-year curriculum combines technical engineering subjects with business management, quantitative analysis, and innovation-focused learning.
First Year
Students build a strong foundation in mathematics, chemistry, economics, programming, and business fundamentals. Courses such as MATH 51 – Calculus I, UGBA 10X – Foundations of Business, and ENGIN 7 – Introduction to Computer Programming and Numerical Methods help develop analytical and computational skills, while UGBA 196 001 – Managing Technological Innovation introduces students to the relationship between technology and business.
Second Year
The second year strengthens students' mathematical, statistical, scientific, and computational knowledge. Students study subjects such as MATH 53 – Multivariable Calculus, IND ENG 120 – Principles of Engineering Economics, and COMPSCI C8 or 61A, developing the ability to analyse data, understand economic decisions, and apply programming techniques to engineering and business problems.
Third Year
Students progress into advanced industrial engineering and business subjects, focusing on optimisation, statistics, organisational management, and entrepreneurship. Courses including IND ENG 160 – Nonlinear and Discrete Optimization, IND ENG 162 – Linear Programming and Network Flows, and UGBA 100 build problem-solving and management capabilities, while UGBA 196 002 – Entrepreneurship and Strategic Growth explores business development and innovation.
Fourth Year
The final year brings together engineering analysis, business strategy, and applied decision-making. Students complete advanced subjects such as IND ENG 180 – Senior Project, UGBA 103, UGBA 104, and UGBA 106, alongside technical and business electives, allowing them to apply their learning to complex industrial and organisational challenges.
Focus Areas
Industrial engineering, operations research, mathematical optimisation, business administration, data analytics, engineering economics, programming, production systems, decision science, entrepreneurship, technological innovation, strategic management.
Learning Outcomes
Students develop the ability to formulate and solve complex decision problems, apply quantitative and computational methods, analyse data, evaluate uncertainty, improve operational processes, use analytical tools for decision-making, understand business functions, communicate effectively, and develop innovative solutions to organisational and technological challenges.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The Industrial Engineering and Operations Research undergraduate degree is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), while Berkeley's Undergraduate Business Degree Programme is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). These accreditations reflect established academic and professional standards across the engineering and business components of the dual-degree programme.
Reputation and Employability
UC Berkeley combines the academic strengths of its College of Engineering and Haas School of Business. According to the Haas School's 2023 undergraduate First Destinations Survey, business graduates reported an average starting salary of USD 97,000, with 83% accepting a job or continuing education offer within three months of graduation. These are business-major figures and are not specific to M.E.T. graduates.
At Berkeley, students experience the connection between engineering innovation and business leadership through the M.E.T. programme's integrated academic structure, small cohort environment, internships, and career coaching. The programme encourages students to move beyond theoretical knowledge and explore how analytical methods, technology, and business decisions can address real-world challenges. Its combination of engineering and business coursework helps students develop practical skills in quantitative modelling, programming, decision-making, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Students benefit from the following programme-specific opportunities:
M.E.T. cohort learning: Students participate in a small, close-knit cohort that supports collaboration, mentoring, and interdisciplinary learning.
Technology innovation: UGBA 196 001, Managing Technological Innovation, introduces students to innovation and the process of translating technological ideas into practical impact.
Entrepreneurship and strategic growth: UGBA 196 002 explores entrepreneurial thinking, business development, and strategies for organisational growth.
Industrial engineering applications: Courses such as IND ENG 160, IND ENG 162, and IND ENG 174 develop skills in optimisation, network flows, and simulation for enterprise-scale systems.
Senior project: IND ENG 180 provides a culminating opportunity to apply engineering knowledge to an industrial engineering problem.
Programming and analytical tools: Students develop programming proficiency in a high-level language such as Python, C, C++, or Java, with coursework options including COMPSCI 61A and COMPSCI C8.
Internships and career coaching: M.E.T. provides programme-led internships, career coaching, and enrichment activities that support practical experience in technology and entrepreneurship.
Research and innovation environment: Berkeley's engineering and business academic communities provide opportunities to engage with research, innovation, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Graduates of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research and Business Administration develop a combination of technical, analytical, and commercial skills suited to roles across engineering, consulting, technology, finance, and business management. Their ability to understand systems, interpret data, improve processes, and evaluate business opportunities can support careers in both established organisations and entrepreneurial ventures.
Potential career roles: Industrial Engineer, Operations Research Analyst, Business Analyst, Management Consultant.
Students can explore further opportunities through Berkeley's academic and career resources:
Career development: M.E.T. provides career coaching, internships, and enrichment activities. Berkeley's career resources include employer information sessions, workshops, networking events, and on-campus interviews for internships and full-time positions.
Employment outcomes: The Haas School's 2023 undergraduate First Destinations Survey reported an average starting salary of USD 97,000 and an 83% job-or-continuing-education offer rate within three months for business graduates. These figures are school-level results, not programme-specific M.E.T. outcomes.
Industry exposure: Programme-led internships and career coaching connect students with practical opportunities in technology and entrepreneurship.
Accreditation value: The engineering degree's ABET accreditation and the business programme's AACSB accreditation provide recognised academic quality benchmarks for their respective fields.
Graduation preparation: The combination of engineering analysis, business education, innovation, and a senior project helps students prepare for professional roles or further study.
Further Academic Progression: Graduates may pursue postgraduate studies in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Business Analytics, Data Science, Engineering Management, or related disciplines. Those interested in business leadership may also consider an MBA or other advanced management qualification, subject to the admission requirements of the chosen institution.


US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.

Embark on your educational journey with confidence! Our team of admission experts is here to guide you through the process. Book a free session now to receive personalized advice, assistance with applications, and insights into your dream school. Whether you're applying to college, graduate school, or specialized programs, we're here to help you succeed.
