It uses mathematics and mathematical modeling on computers to forecast the implications of various choices and identify the best alternatives. Operations research methodology is applied to a broad range of problems in both the public and private sectors. These problems often involve designing systems to operate in the most effective way. Many problems deal with the allocation of scarce human resources, money, materials, equipment or facilities. Applications include staff scheduling, vehicle routing, warehouse location, product distribution, quality control, traffic light phasing, police patrolling, preventive maintenance scheduling, economic forecasting, design of experiments, power plant fuel allocation, stock portfolio optimization, cost-effective environmental protection, inventory control and university course scheduling.
Operations research is interdisciplinary and draws heavily from the mathematics program.
It also uses courses from computer science, engineering management and other engineering programs. The Master of Science in Operations Research offers concentrations that emphasize those areas of application most in demand in today's job market. Graduates have skills that include probability and statistics, deterministic and stochastic models, optimization methods, computation and simulation, decision analysis and the ability to effectively communicate with clients and managers. In addition, graduates have a breadth of knowledge that allows them to work in teams, interacting with people who bring different expertise to a problem. All areas involve expertise with standard computer software packages.