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Operations Research


Operations Research is the branch of applied mathematics concerned with applying analytical methods to help make better management decisions. Operations research is also known as management science and industrial engineering. Operations researchers build mathematical models and apply optimization, simulation, and other mathematical tools to analyze complex situations. Operations Research is used in a wide range of industries, from telecommunication to health care to financial services.

The Stony Brook Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics has a program of graduate training and research in Operations Research, offering M.S. and Ph.D. degrees as well as a 18-credit Advanced Certificate in Operations Research. In addition to faculty in Applied Mathematics, the Operations Research program also draws upon faculty in Computer Science, Economics, and the College of Business.

Research interests of operations research faculty cover a range of problems in discrete and stochastic optimization: smart energy grids, forecasting electric demand, efficient manufacturing, routing aircraft around storm systems, robotics, geographical information systems, recursive learning automata, and efficient design of clinical trials. For more information about Operations Research research, see Operations Research projects.

The standard professional degree for operations researchers working in business and industry is the M.S. degree. The department offers a 30-credit M.S. degree, with no thesis, that follows the guidelines for professional training of the operations research society INFORMS. The department also offers a Ph.D. degree which starts off with the same courses as the M.S. degree. For more details about requirements for the Ph.D., please see Ph.D. Requirements.

Required Courses for M.S. Degree in Operations Research Track

  • AMS 507 Introduction to Probability
  • AMS 510 Analytical Methods for Applied Mathematics and Statistics
  • AMS 540 Linear Programming
  • AMS 550 Stochastic Models
  • AMS 553/CSE 529 Simulation and Modeling
  • AMS 595 Fundamentals of Computing
  • One course in statistics (courses numbered AMS 570-586)

plus three electives from the following selection of courses

A recommended course sequence is as follows:

 First Semester (Fall):

  • AMS 507 Introduction to Probability
  • AMS 510 Analytical Methods for Applied Mathematics and Statistics
  • AMS 540 Linear Programming
  • AMS 595 Fundamentals of Computing

Second Semester (Spring):

  • AMS 550 Stochastic Models
  • One Operations Research Elective
  • One Statistics Elective

 Third Semester (Fall):

  • AMS 553 Simulation and Modeling
  • Two electives (Operations Research)