Battlefield or Boardroom - IE is the Future
What Is Information Engineering?
Today and in the future, the military must be able to respond to the constant and complex changes in the way information is stored, transmitted, and used in order to meet the challenges of global competition and rapid technological evolution. Information Engineering (IE) has many purposes including organizational planning, business re-engineering, application development, information systems planning and systems re-engineering. The IE program at West Point educates future officers for success in today’s complex, technology-driven Army, and prepares them to assume leadership positions in the Army or outside industry.
Why Study Information Engineering?
Selecting to major in Information Engineering will provide you with the knowledge you require as a future Army leader to better exploit information technology and achieve the Battle Command dynamics of Leadership, Decision-Making, Information Visualization, Assimilation, Conceptualization, and Communication.
IE takes an engineering approach to information systems unlike many undergraduate schools that take a business approach. Our IE program focuses heavily on battle command systems. Skilled IE officers are able to get the right information to the right people in a precise, timely and efficient manner. Whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom, IE is an exciting, multi-disciplinary program designed to meet the needs of the Army and executive leadership.
Information Engineering In the Classroom
IE majors have a fundamental knowledge of information systems, human factors engineering, and systems engineering. The program electives provide the analytical tools to effectively integrate multi-disciplinary courses and ensure competence in the IE field. You will gain experience in our state-of-the-art computer laboratories, and you will apply your knowledge in a major capstone course.
Cadets learn the following skills:
- Structured process and analysis to make sound decisions
- The use of information to streamline and improve battle command
- How to define requirements for an information system to add value to the organization
- How to perform high-level design and analysis of information systems
- How to analyze battle command concepts using a combat simulation
Cadets work relevant projects:
- Analyze the purchase of your Firstie car (SE301)
- Build a map-based battle command portal to support combat operations (SE370)
- Apply data mining techniques to better understand the severity and causes of accidents (SE382)
- Simulate past and future combat operations (SE485)
- Use computerized maps and geography to select a site for a new school (EV383)
- Build visual representations of your West Point environment (SE370)
Cadet research and potential Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) clients include:
Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD)
The Information Engineering AIAD program gives cadets an opportunity to work at DoD and DA agencies with experienced civilian and military systems engineers, operations research analysts, and scientists. Possible AIADs with an IE focus might include:
JTF Headquarters - Design a headquarters that integrates the C2 processes to facilitate the flow of information and rapid decision-making.
Small Scale Contingency (SSC) Decision Support - Develop a web-based Decision Support System for SSC planners.
UA/UE HQ Design - Design a headquarters catered to the flow of information that moves towards a wireless, weightless, paperless, and signatureless solution.
Army Chief Information Office (CIO)/G-6 Administrative Support Center - Work with the Executive Administrative Center (EAC) to update process areas, analyze what could be done better and more efficiently, and streamline electronic reports.
Information Engineering Prepares You for Army Leadership and More
Information Engineering is the one engineering major at West Point that focuses directly on the most important job an Army officer has on the battlefield – battle command.
Army officers are also responsible for making decisions to solve dynamic problems that involve resources such as technology people, equipment, money, and information. IE program skills will help you to better understand how to exercise command and control over your troops and make more timely decisions in order to accomplish your mission.
As you progress in your career, you will be able to apply your skills to design. You will be able to integrate command and control systems into Army tactical operations centers in order to execute more effective combat operations faster and with fewer casualties. Real world examples include:
- The Army’s Program Executive Office, Command, Control, and Communications Tactical provides battle command capabilities to Army units - http://peoc3t.monmouth.army.mil
- The Army’s Future Combat Systems are a series of advanced manned and robotic systems integrated by a common battle command network - http://www.army.mil/fcs/
Preparing For Graduate School
Because the Information Engineering program emphasizes information systems, engineering skills, and business applications, undergraduate studies in the program prepare a student for follow-on studies in any information systems or engineering discipline. These skills also give a technical edge to any student who seeks a Masters of Business Administration (MBA).
After the Army
A degree in information engineering provides a solid foundation for your future. Whether your career path includes the Army or a job outside of the military, the impact of information technology is growing rapidly as companies seek to gain a competitive advantage through information technologies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates an expected 40% growth in this industry over the next decade. http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs033.htm
Questions about the Information Engineering Program? Contact Us!
LTC Robert Kewley
LTC Brian Sperling
MAJ Ed Teague