Faculty of Engineering
Industrial Engineering
PO BOX 1000, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA | CANADA B3J 2X4 | +1 (902) 494-3281

Project in Industry:
Industrial Engineering Senior Design Project


Project in Industry is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate their IE skills in a real world setting.  Our clients are local organizations looking for innovative solutions to challenging problems.  Our clients have been manufacturing companies, health care organizations, utlities, airlines, government departments, among others - basically any organization where problems can be solved through the application of Industrial Engineering.

Program Manager (for 2008/9):
Dr. Corinne MacDonald, P.Eng.,
Email: corinne.macdonald@dal.ca
Phone: 902-494-3279
Justin Donovan, Ryan Wells, Class of 2008
Project:  Design of an Automatic Production Line
Client:  Helly Hansen Canada Ltd.

Want to be added to the Project in Industry mailing list?  Send me an email with your name and contact information.  I will send out an information package around the end of June/early July.  No committment required!  If you have an idea for a project and wish to discuss it, please feel free to contact me.

Highlights for interested clients:

  • Projects start in early September and must be completed by early April
  • Students normally work in teams of two
  • Students review all potential projects and identify their preferences - so projects are usually matched up well with student interest.  The program coordinator makes the final assignments.
  • The client identifies the problem to be studied - our students then determine the scope of the project (and their deliverables) in consultation with the client
  • Students have no scheduled classes on Wednesdays, so they can be on site all day (although occasionally they may opt to work here in our labs if appropriate)
  • We often receive more projects than we have student teams, so unfortunately there is no guarantee that a submitted project will be undertaken 


Mila MacLean, Ana Hernandez, Class of 2009
Motorized Material Handling Improvement Project
Client:  Canada Post Corporation

  • Clients must pay students' travel expenses, and a $60 fee for printing and copying.  There is no charge for students' or faculty time, nor for the use of our facilities for project work

For even more information:

For Students:

Please note that each year, starting in late August, the Project in Industry Blackboard Learning System (BLS) site will be accessible to those who have registered for the course.  Potential projects will be posted on this site at least 1 week prior to classes.  This site also serves as the official communication site for students once classes have started. 

Our first meeting will most likely take place the first day of classes. Check your DAL email for details.

View the course manual for 2008/9 (.pdf format).

The Projects are carried out as a demonstration of the capability of the teams to act as Professional Engineers. Teams should be aware of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers Guidelines, particularly those on Ethics, Professional Practice and the Environment.