Operations Research (MS)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus, Manhattan Online

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Operations research is the discipline focused on using data to make better decisions through the application of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics tools. The operations research master’s degree program is designed to prepare students for impactful roles in every sector. The degree is offered either in-person or online, and there are coursework-only and thesis options.

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Admission Requirements

To pursue the Operations Research M.S. through the Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering graduate program, students must meet the KSU Graduate School admissions requirements, have a baccalaureate degree, and have a strong background in applied mathematics including calculus and linear algebra. The student must also have completed 3 semester credits each in introductory statistics (equivalent to K-State’s STAT 510 ) and introductory operations research (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. GRE scores are required for all students who apply, unless they will have completed an undergraduate degree from an ABET-accredited program.

*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.

Course Requirements

	Thesis	Course Work
Operations Research Core Courses	9	9
Additional Operations Research Courses	3	6
Electives	12	15
Thesis	6	0
IE Seminar	0	0
TOTAL GRADUATE CREDITS	30	30

Required Courses

Continuous Optimization: 1 course required
IMSE 881 - Linear Programming Credits: 3
OR
IMSE 982 - Nonlinear Programming Credits: 3
Discrete Optimization: 1 course required
IMSE 882 - Network Flows and Graph Theory Credits: 3
OR
IMSE 884 - Integer Programming and Combinatorial Optimization Credits: 3
Stochastic Processes: 1 course required
IMSE 842 - Reliability Theory Credits: 3
OR
IMSE 865 - Simulation of Industrial Management Systems Credits: 3
OR
IMSE 866 - Applied Stochastic Processes Credits: 3

Additional Required Courses

Thesis option: 3 credit hours

Coursework only option: 6 credit hours

IMSE 643 - Industrial Simulation Credits: 3
IMSE 751 - Normative Theory of Decisions and Games Credits: 3
IMSE 752 - Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis Credits: 3
IMSE 780 - Methods of Operations Research Credits: 3
IMSE 830 - Applied Fuzzy Set Theory Credits: 3
IMSE 976 - Scheduling Theory Credits: 3
IMSE 990 - Advanced Topics in Operations Research Credits: 1-6
IMSE 710 - Transportation Logistics Credits: 3
IMSE 810 - Industrial Logistics Engineering Credits: 3
IMSE 991 - Advanced Topics in Decision Theory Credits: 3

Elective Courses

Thesis option: 12 credit hours

Coursework only option: 15 credit hours

Thesis Option Courses

6 credit hours

A culminating experience is required for this option. The graduate student works with the major professor and the supervisory committee to determine the parameters of the culminating experience.

Notes:

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.

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