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Introduction to the Industrial Distribution Degree

Because global competition is commonplace in today's economy, manufacturers and distributors of industrial products require professionals with broad skills that can manage operations efficiently and cost-effectively. Purdue's Industrial Distribution program is designed to prepare students with the skills needed to serve the industrial distribution industry, one of the largest and fastest growing industrial segments in the U.S. and abroad.

The Industrial Distribution degree progam provides students with a valuable blend of courses in industrial technology, distribution management, and business management.  Our program is designed to produce technical problem solvers with business and supply chain knowledge tailored specifically for the distribution industry. Our graduates work effectively in all aspects of distribution. It is accredited by the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT).

By joining the Industrial Distribution degree program, you will have access to student oriented faculty who are experts in their respective fields. The degree will prepare you for a wide variety of career paths for graduates including supply chain management, technical sales, warehouse and branch management, logistics, customer service, and industrial purchasing. The curriculum also allows students to specialize in other areas using their electives. As our faculty are closely tied to industry, this opens up opportunities for our students in the form of co-ops, internship opportunities, as well as other networking opportunities at trade association conventions.

Industrial distribution is one of the largest and fastest growing industrial segments in the nation and abroad, and there is a growing need for entry-level college graduates with capabilities to move into management. There is a high demand for technical sales representatives in distribution across a broad array of industries providing high earning potential. Increased sophistication in technology and management systems is fueling the workforce demand for graduates with capabilities in both technology and business. Industrial competition increasingly based on logistics capabilities has created a growing demand for industrial distribution graduates. As a result, our ID program has an excellent placement rate, with salaries averaging in the mid 40K's for graduating students.

Our staff are also here to enable you to succeed - Craig is our academic counselor, and will provide you with the guidance and advice to complete your degree. Betty Cottrell, who works in our main office is the central resource for placement, co-op programs and interns.

For more information, please complete the information at the bottom of this page.

Industrial Distribution Degree Plan of Study

In order to complete the ID degree, you need to have 121 credit hours. The distribution of course requirements in specific areas is shown below:

Distribution of course requirements in specific areas
English, Communication and Humanities	17%
Mathematics and Physical Sciences	15%
Management and Productivity	17%
Technical Courses	31%
Electives (Technical and other)	20%

Typically, the plan of study is as follows:

Semester 1
IT 104 Industrial Organization	3
CPT 136 Intro to Computer Technology	3
ENGL 106 English Composition	4
MA 159 Precalculus (or MA 153/154 6cr)	5
Credit Hours	15
Semester 2
IT 214 Intro to Lean Manufacturing	3
CGT 110 Technical Graphics Communication	3
PSY 120 Elementary Psychology	3
COM 114 Fundamentals of Speech Comm	3
MET 141 Materials I	3
Credit Hours	15
Semester 3
IT 230 Industrial Supply Chain Management	3
OLS 252 Human Behavior in Organization	3
MET 242 Manufacturing Processes II	3
PHYS 218  General Physics I	4
Science Selective	3
Credit Hours	16
Semester 4
IT 351 Advanced Industrial Safety and Health Management	3
ECET 214 Electricity Fundamentals	3
ECON 210 Principles of Economics	3
Math / Computing Selective	3
Science Selective	3
Credit Hours	15
Semester 5
IT 342 Introduction to Statistical Quality	3
MGMT 200T Accounting Principles	3
MFET 300 Applications of Automation in Manufacturing	3
AT 263 Fluid Power Systems	3
MGMT 323 Introduction to Market Analysis	3
Credit Hours	15
Semester 6
IT 330 Industrial Sales and Sales Management	3
IT 332 Purchasing, Inventory and Warehouse Management	3
IT 345 Automatic Identification and Data Capture	3
ENGL 420 Business Writing	3
Technical Elective	3
Credit Hours	15
Semester 7
IT 432 Financial Transactions in Distribution	3
IT 434 Global Transportation and Logistics Management	3
IT 381 Total Productive Maintenance	3
Free Elective	3
Com Elective (300 level or above)	3
Credit Hours	15
Semester 8
IT 435 Strategic Distribution Management	3
Free Elective (300 level or above)	3
Free Elective	3
Free Elective	3
Free Elective	3
Credit Hours	15

 

Companies who employ our graduates

Manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, logistics, and consulting firms employ industrial distribution graduates

• Rockwell Automation
• Milacron Manufacturing Technologies
• Grainger
• Avnet
• Applied Industrial Technologies
• Shelter Distribution
• Allison Transmissions
• WinWholesale
• Celadon
• Trane
• Ferguson Enterprises
• Airgas
• Fastenal

 

Statewide Locations

Purdue’s College of Technology resides in 10 Indiana communities in additional to the West Lafayette campus. All of the programs are offered at the West Lafayette campus, while programs available at other locations are dependent on area workforce needs. The IT department is currently available at eight College of Technology locations:

• Anderson
• Columbus
• Greensburg
• Kokomo
• Lafayette
• New Albany
• Richmond
• South Bend