Master of Science in Operations Research
Learn to utilize mathematical abilities and decision-making skills to increase efficiency and solve real-world problems that exist in nearly every sector of business and industry.
To pursue a master's in operations research, students must meet Graduate School admissions requirements, have a baccalaureate degree and have a strong background in applied mathematics including calculus and linear algebra. Students must also have completed three semester credits each in introductory statistics (equivalent to K-State’s STAT 510) and introductory operations research and (equivalent to K-State’s IMSE 560 or IMSE 680)*, and have knowledge of computer programming (equivalent to K-State’s CIS 200 or CIS 209). Otherwise, appropriate remedial courses will be required.
| Thesis | Coursework | |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Research Core Courses | 9 | 9 |
| Additional Operations Research Courses | 3 | 9 |
| Electives | 12 | 12 |
| Thesis | 6 | 0 |
| IE Seminar | 0 | 0 |
| Total Graduate Credits | 30 | 30 |
One core course must be taken in each of the three areas:
Continuous optimization
- IMSE 881 - Linear Programming
- IMSE 982 - Nonlinear Programming
Discrete optimization
- IMSE 882 - Network Flows and Graph Theory
- IMSE 884 - Integer Programming and Combinatorial Optimization
Stochastic processes
- IMSE 865 - Simulation of Industrial Management Systems
- IMSE 866 - Applied Stochastic Processes and Theoretical Simulation
- IMSE 867 - Stochastic Programming
- IMSE 971 - Industrial Queuing Processes
Additional operations research courses include the following courses and any core courses:
- IMSE 643 - Industrial Simulation
- IMSE 710 - Transportation Logistics
- IMSE 730 - Data Engineering 1 - Time Series & Topological Data Analysis
- IMSE 751 - Normative Theory of Decisions and Games
- IMSE 752 - Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis
- IMSE 760 - Stochastic Calculus Financial Engineering
- IMSE 780 - Methods of Operations Research
- IMSE 810 - Industrial Logistics
- IMSE 830 - Applied Fuzzy Set Theory
- IMSE 842 - Reliability Theory
- IMSE 976 - Scheduling Theory
- IMSE 990 - Adv Topics in Operations Research
- IMSE 991 - Multiple Criteria Decision Making
Actual degree requirements will be summarized on an approved plan of study. Some general guidelines include:
- At least 60 percent of classes must be above 700 level
- No more than 6 hours can be taken from outside the department without prior permission
- Courses in IMSE the department must be above the 600 level
- Courses outside the department must be above the 500 level
- No more than 6 hours can be taken at the 500 level.
- No course can count as both a core course and an additional operations research course
Students on-campus are required to enroll in the graduate seminar each semester.
*If an entering student has not taken an introductory operations research course, the student should enroll in IMSE 680 – Quantitative Problem Solving Techniques, to gain this knowledge.