Ph.D. in Operations Research

Operations Research (OR) is a scientific approach to problem-solving and decision-making that relies on mathematical modeling, data analysis, and optimization techniques. Its primary goal is to design, manage, and improve complex systems by determining the optimal or most effective allocation of scarce resources. OR is a cornerstone of decision science, supporting industries and sectors ranging from manufacturing and supply chain management to healthcare, public policy, and humanitarian logistics.

The flexibility of OR allows practitioners to focus on either theoretical methodology or practical applications, providing the foundation to tackle real-world challenges. More information about OR and its applications can be found through professional societies like the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) and the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE).

Plan of Study Requirements

A student's plan of study must include a minimum of 90 credits of coursework and graduate research. At least 39 credits of coursework (of post BS, taken for grade) is required, including the 21 credits for the OR core courses, and at least one primary and one secondary emphasis areas. Coursework should include at least 24 ISE credits, with at least 9 of those credits at the 6000-level. The plan of study should be designed in consultation with the student’s PhD committee. (All courses listed below are 3 credits, unless specified otherwise.)

Number	Title	Credits
ISE 5024	ISE Seminar	0
ISE 5405	Optimization I	3
ISE 5406	Optimization II	3
ISE 5414	Random Processes	3
ISE 5424	Simulation	3
MATH 4225	Elementary Real Analysis I	3
ISE 5034 or STAT 5104	Probability & Distribution Theory	3
STAT 5114	Statistical Inference	3

OR Emphasis Areas

Below are some pre-defined emphasis areas. At least 4 classes are required for a primary emphasis area, and at least 2 classes for a secondary emphasis. Some emphasis areas have required classes. Because OR works well with methodologies traditionally from other disciplines (e.g., computer science, statistics, mathematics), and can be applied to application areas beyond those represented in the following emphasis areas, students can develop customized emphasis areas, subject to the approval of their Ph.D. committee.

Number	Title	Credits
ISE 6414	Integer Programming, Required	3
ISE 6404	Graph Theory and Network Flows	3
ISE 6514	Advanced Topics in Math Programming	3
ISE 6424	Dynamic Programming	3
CS 5114	Theory of Algorithms	3
MATH 4226 or MATH 5226	Elementary Real Analysis II	3
MATH 5454	Graph Theory	3
MATH 5464	Combinatorics	3

CS = Computer Science; MATH = Mathematics

Number	Title	Credits
ISE 5464	Queueing Theory	3
ISE 6444	Inventory and Operations Management	3
ISE 6474	Reliability Theory	3
ISE 6494	Advanced Simulation	3
ISE 6504	Markov Renewal and Related Processes	3
ISE 6xxx	Random Processes II	3
ISE 6xxx	Healthcare OR	3
STAT 5204	Experimental Design & Analysis I	3
STAT 5404	Nonparametric Statistics	3
STAT 5434	Markov Chain & Renewal Theory	3
STAT 5444	Bayesian Statistic	3
STAT 5504	Multivariate Statistical Methods	3
STAT 5544	Spatial Statistics	3
STAT 5574	Response Surface Design and Analysis I	3
STAT 6105	Measure and Probability	3
STAT 6404	Advanced Topics in Nonparametric Statistics	3
STAT 6424	Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Analytics	3
STAT 6504	Experimental Design II	3
STAT 6574	Response Surface Design and Analysis II	3
STAT 6984	Response Surface Methods & Computer Experiments	3

STAT = Statistics

Number	Title	Credits
ISE 6XXX	Healthcare and public Policy OR	3
BMVS 6554	Advanced Epidemiology	2
HNFE 5724	Epidemiology	3
MATH 5415	Continuous Models in Biological Applications	3
MATH 5416	Continuous Models in Biological Applications	3
PAPA 5014	Concepts and Approaches in Public Administration	3
PAPA 6214	Public Policy Processes and Analytical Approaches	3
PAPA 6224	Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Public Policy Programs	3
STAT 5674	Methods in Biostatistics	3
STS 5444	Issues in Bioethics	3

BMVS = Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences; HNFE = Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise; MATH = Mathematics, PAPA = Public Administration/Public Affairs, STAT = Statistics, STS = Science and Technology Studies

Number	Title	Credits
ISE 4424	Logistics Engineering	3
ISE 4434	Supply Chain and Operations Engineering	3
ISE 5024	Production System Analysis	3
ISE 5204	Manufacturing Systems Engineering	3
ISE 5244	Facilities Planning and Material Handling	3
ISE 5264	Modeling and Analysis of Semiconductor Manufacturing	3
ISE 5454	Production Planning and Control	3
ISE 6444	Inventory and Operations Management	3
ISE 6XXX	Logistics	3
ISE 6434	Scheduling and Sequencing Theory	3
ISE 6474	Reliability Theory	3