Operations Research with Engineering

Degrees Offered

• Master of Science in Operations Research with Engineering (non-thesis)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research with Engineering

Program Description

Operations Research (OR) involves mathematically modeling physical systems (both naturally occurring and manmade) with a view to determining a course of action for the system to either improve or optimize its functionality. Examples of such systems include, but are not limited to, manufacturing systems, chemical processes, socioeconomic systems, mechanical systems (e.g., those that produce energy), and mining systems.

Program Director

Alexandra Newman, Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Program Requirements

Master of Science in Operations Research with Engineering (non-thesis)

All master's students are required to take a set of core courses (18 credits) that provides basic tools for the more advanced and specialized courses in the program as specified below. 

The remaining 12 credits of coursework can be completed with any ORWE-labeled course not taken as core.  Or specialty tracks can be added in areas, for example, including:  1) operations research methodology, 2) systems engineering, 3) computer science, 4) finance and economics, and 5) an existing engineering discipline that is reflected in a department name such as electrical, civil, environmental, or mining engineering. 

Students who do not wish to specialize in a track mentioned in the table below and do not wish to complete 12 additional credits of ORWE-labeled coursework can mix and match from the ORWE coursework and coursework mentioned in the tables below in consultation with and approval from their academic advisers. 

Examples of specialty tracks from various departments across campus are given below:

Energy Systems within Mechanical Engineering Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Additive Manufacturing Track (12 credits from the course list below)*

*Subject to approval by graduate council

Applied Mathematics and Statistics Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Economics Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Business Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Computer Science Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Civil Engineering - Geotechnics Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Civil Engineering-Structures Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Nuclear Engineering Track (12 credits from the course list below) 

Electrical Engineering-Antennas and Wireless Communications Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Electrical Engineering-Energy Systems and Power Electronics Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Electrical Engineering-Information and Systems Sciences Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Mining and Earth Systems Track (12 credits from the course list below)

Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research with Engineering

The ORWE PhD allows students to complete an interdisciplinary doctoral degree in Operations Research with Engineering by taking courses and conducting research in eight departments/divisions: Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Economics and Business, Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.

Specialty Requirements

Doctoral students develop a customized curriculum to fit their needs. The degree requires a minimum of 72 graduate credits that includes coursework and a thesis. Coursework is valid for nine years toward a PhD degree; any exceptions must be approved by the director of the ORWE program and by the student's adviser.

Credit requirements

Research Credits

Students must complete at least 24 research credits. The student's faculty adviser and the doctoral thesis committee must approve the student's program of study and the topic for the thesis.

Qualifying Examination Process and Thesis Proposal

Upon completion of the appropriate core coursework, students must pass Qualifying Exams I (written, over four courses) and II (oral, consisting of a report and research presentation) to become a candidate for the PhD, ORWE specialty.  Qualifying Exam I  is generally taken no later than three semesters after entry into the PhD program, and Qualifying Exam II follows no more than two semesters after passing Qualifying Exam I. The proposal defense should be completed within ten months of passing Qualifying Exam II.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer up to 24 credits of graduate-level coursework from other institutions toward the PhD degree subject to the restriction that those courses must not have been used as credit toward a bachelor's degree. The student must have achieved a grade of B or better in all graduate transfer courses and the transfer must be approved by the student's doctoral thesis committee and the Director of the ORWE program.

Although most doctoral students will only be allowed to transfer up to 24 credits, with approval from the student’s doctoral committee, exceptions may be made to allow students who have earned a specialized thesis-based master’s degree in operations research or other closely related field from another university to transfer up to 36 credits in recognition of the degree. Students should consult with their academic advisors and ORWE director for details. 

Unsatisfactory Progress

In addition to the institutional guidelines for unsatisfactory progress as described elsewhere in this bulletin, unsatisfactory progress will be assigned to any full-time student who does not pass the following prerequisite and core courses in the first three semesters of study:

Unsatisfactory progress will also be assigned to any students who do not complete requirements as specified in their admission letters. Any exceptions to the stipulations for unsatisfactory progress must be approved by the ORWE committee. Part-time students develop an approved course plan with their advisor.

Prerequisites

Students must complete the following undergraduate prerequisite courses with a grade of B or better:

Required Course Curriculum

All PhD students are required to take a set of core courses that provides basic tools for the more advanced and specialized courses in the program.

Students are required to take four courses from the following list: 

Mines’ Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Program

Students enrolled in Mines’ combined undergraduate/graduate program may double count up to 6 credits of graduate coursework to fulfill requirements of both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. These courses must have been passed with B- or better, not be substitutes for required coursework, and meet all other university, department, and program requirements for graduate credit.

Students are advised to consult with their undergraduate and graduate advisors for appropriate courses to double count upon admission to the combined program.

Courses