Introduction

The Master's program in Management Science is designed as preparation for a career in the application of quantitative techniques to solve complex problems in business and industry. The program's flexibility also makes it appropriate as preparation for doctoral study in Management Science.

Management Science coursework will expose students to both the theoretical development of quantitative techniques and their application to managerial decision making. In addition to the development of sufficient mathematical maturity for creative use of quantitative skills, the program offers concentrated study in any one of the following areas: 1) Production and Operations/Manufacturing Management;  2) Statistics; 3) Geographic Information Systems (GIS); 4) Health Care.

The master's program in Management Science is an innovative curriculum of tremendous breadth. It is designed to not only expose students to quantitative techniques, but to cultivate skills in writing, communication and business as well. When combined with the concentration area of choice, career opportunities are endless.

The University and the College of Business Administration have rich ties to industries throughout the world. Through such ties, students may elect to gain true exposure to real-world industrial problems by concentrating in Production and Operations/Manufacturing Management or Statistics.  A student may also choose to concentrate in GIS and gain invaluable hands on experience in the program's state-of-the-art Computation and Operations Analysis Laboratory.

In addition, the Management Science Program has a number of faculty involved in health care research, working to develop optimization models to reduce rising health care costs. Thus, the Master's program offers a unique opportunity for the master's student in management science to apply quantitative analytical techniques in the health care industry through the concentration in Health Care.

A student's experience culminates in the completion of a real-world Management Science project as Management Science 534. The student takes a real-world problem from the investigation to the implementation phase and presents his/her work in both written and oral form.

Admission Requirements

The master's program requires three applicant rating forms and the GRE or GMAT, the Applicant Information Sheet, your personal statement and your résumé . Applications are encouraged from all majors, but a mathematics background or equivalent, such as the completion of at least two years of college calculus and proficiency in a computer language is required. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters by full-time students. However, students may start the program in any semester and may pursue a Master degree in Management Science on a part-time basis.

The Management Science Committee will work closely with the student in tailoring a program to his/her needs. The committee must approve a tentative overall program during the student's first semester and must approve all courses on a semester-by-semester basis.

An entering student must demonstrate mastery of at least one computer language along with an understanding of data structures through previous coursework or equivalent work experience. Otherwise, to satisfy this requirement, the student must enroll in and complete (earning a grade of C or better) one or both of the 100-level courses listed below as stipulated by the Management Science Committee.

Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and needs of Management Science Master students, the Management Science Committee is prepared to waive some of the above requirements on an individual basis.

Degree Requirements

1. Technical Ability

Students must pass a written comprehensive examination for Management Science 531-532. A thesis option is available to qualified students.

2. "Understanding the Business"

3. Applied Statistics Course:  One 3 hour course chosen from

4. Information Systems Elective:  One 3 hour course chosen from

5. Free Elective as approved by advisor 
Students must choose 3 hours.

6. Concentration Electives
Students must choose at least 6 hours from the following list of concentration electives.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Statistics

Production and Operations/Manufacturing Management

Health Care

A suggested course of study