Claim: Rod Burstall, who studied physics at the University of Cambridge, then an M.Sc. in operational research,  discipline that deals with the application of advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions, at Birmingham University, worked for three years before returning to Birmingham University to earn a Ph.D.
Evidence: Burstall studied physics at the University of Cambridge, then an M.Sc. in operational research at Birmingham University. Operations research (British English: operational research) (OR) is a discipline that deals with the application of advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions. He worked for three years before returning to Birmingham University to earn a Ph.D.