What is Management Science?

Management Science is a field of study characterized by the use of mathematical and computer models for decision making. Its origins can be traced to Operations Research, which made its debut during World War II when the Allied forces recruited scientists of various disciplines to assist with military operations. In these early applications, the scientists utilized simple mathematical models to make efficient use of limited technologies and resources. The application of these models within the corporate sector became known as Management Science. Together with the technological advances of the computer age, the refinement of Management Science techniques enabled larger and more complex problems to be modeled and solved. In today's marketplace, Management Science techniques offer a competitive edge in the quest for efficiency.

Who uses Management Science?

Applications of Management Science are abundant in industry and government. Airlines and overnight mail systems use mathematical models to create efficient, dependable flight schedules. Manufacturing companies use quantitative techniques in virtually all strategic and operational areas such as choosing a new plant location, controlling production, or implementing statistical quality control. Service organizations such as banks, hospitals and investment firms all rely on Management Science to ensure their operations combine customer satisfaction with a high degree of efficiency. The military branches of the government depend on computer-based quantitative models for logistical planning and mobilization.

What careers are open to Management Science majors?

A few years ago Money Magazine selected Operations Research as one of the top ten career fields of the nineties. Since then the applications of Operations Research has continued to grow. This growth has been stimulated by the growth in computing power and the availability data, as well as the development of better Management Science tools.

Our MS program is designed to prepare students for a career as a Management Scientist or Operations Research Analyst in Industry or Government. Students in the masters program will take courses in mathematical modeling, but may also choose electives in the functional areas of business. In addition, they will do applied projects in government or industry.

Our Ph.D. program is designed to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in universities or research careers in government and industry. The pH graduate is prepared to develop original Operations Research methods. The pH student may focus in a mathematical area mathematical programming or stochastic models or in the development of new tools in an applied area such as finance, supply chain management or manufacturing.

What other type of career skills does the program offer?

Management Scientists apply their skills in an organizational environment working with other people. One of the goals of our curriculum is to develop the students' abilities in communication, teamwork and leadership. In many of the classes the students will work on team projects prepare written report and do oral presentations.

Most graduate students in the program work as graduate assistants or research assistants. Research assistants work with professors on research projects. Teaching assistants work in the delivery of undergraduate classes. Both research and teaching assistant gain valuable experience in teamwork, communications and leadership.

Our teaching assistants work in the undergraduate business course in operations. This course is BA 341.  The teaching assistants staff lab sections of twenty-five students.  The operations class involves teaching the dynamics of supply chains, manufacturing systems and service systems. In the operations class, the teaching is done through experiential simulations in small lab sections run by the teaching assistants. The content that the students master by teaching the operations class is valuable career training.

What type of academic preparation is necessary to do graduate work in Management Science?

Graduate study in Management Science requires a strong quantitative background. Thus a good number of our students have under graduate degrees in mathematics, engineering or the sciences. However we also admit students who have majored in business or other areas, if they have taken advanced mathematics electives and have excelled in these electives.

What are some of the strengths of the Management Science Program at The University of Tennessee?

Academic Quality. The Management Science Program at the University of Tennessee is noted for its strong academic programs and the quality of its graduates. In addition to expertise in Management Science, students in the program develop a sound preparation in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. This strong technical foundation allows our students to continue to develop professionally after they leave the University.

Flexibility. The curriculum offers each student the ability to tailor a program to meet his or her individual needs and interests. An important feature of our M.S. and Ph.D. program is the supporting area (applied concentration). The supporting area can be in one of the functional areas of Business Administration or in a technical area such as Computer Science or Industrial Statistics.

The Faculty. The faculty of the University of Tennessee Management Science program have strong research agendas and a breadth of consulting experience to enrich their classroom teaching. Their interests span a wide range of Management Science topics. Graduate students have opportunities to become involved in research and consulting with faculty members.

The College of Business Administration. The Management Science Program is part of the College of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee. This association reinforces the role of Management Science in the business environment. Both our M.S. and Ph.D. programs have the option of an applied concentration in a functional area of business such as Finance, Logistics, Operations Management, or Marketing.

Management Development Programs. The UT College of Business Administration has gained international recognition as the leader in providing programs in the areas of productivity and quality. Through partnerships with U.S. corporations, the University of Tennessee has become prominent in its research and education programs aimed at improving the competitiveness of American industry. Graduate students in the College of Business have a unique opportunity to interact both with UT faculty and practitioners from industry who are involved in these programs.