This organizational structure facilitates interdisciplinary research and study by graduate students. Graduate groups draw their faculty from departments throughout the University. The Graduate Group in Regional Science includes faculty from the Departments of Regional Science and Economics in the School of Arts and Sciences, from the Departments of Decision Sciences, Marketing, and Public Policy and Management in the Wharton School, from the Department of Systems in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and from the Departments of City and Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture in the Graduate School of Fine Arts. The graduate program in regional science is effectively designed for the timely training of first class research scholars. The program is structured so that, in the first year, students are prepared in the theory, statistics, and mathematical methods necessary to research.
Various milestones provide continuous feedback and guidance to students and their advisers.
The students take two statistics courses, one economic theory course, one location theory course, one course on linear algebra, linear programming, and input-output analysis, and one course on the empirical application of mathematical methods. In addition, the students take two electives. At the end of the first year, there is a comprehensive written and oral examination. Students are invited into the Ph.D. program, awarded a terminal masters degree, or failed on the basis of their performance in these exams. The second year and the first half of the third year are spent in course work that must include an additional two courses in mathematical modeling or statistics, electives, and participation in the weekly departmental seminar.