Summary of Programs

Doctoral Area of Specialization in Decision Sciences

The Decision Sciences specialization in the Ph. D. program intends to prepare students for research careers. This area of specialization emphasizes the process of constructing and analyzing mathematical and statistical models of real-world managerial problems and the understanding of the role and uses of such models in the management of complex organizations. Research in Decision Sciences may focus on foundational issues such as dealing with uncertainty, modeling complexity and risk preferences as well as on novel applications in operations and project management.

Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM)

Professors of the Project Management program make every effort to bring realistic examples from the work-place to the classroom and to integrate those examples into the overall curriculum. However, as this program is not discipline-specific, no technical domain will get exclusive representation. Nonetheless, instructors conscientiously approach and discuss the solutions and analysis at the practical level. The subjects covered in this curriculum deal with the qualitative as well as the quantitative aspects of managing projects. People issues, a current focus of managing projects, receive an appropriate emphasis in the program. Several courses cover teamwork and team dynamics. In many classes, professors encourage students to form teams and conduct a substantial portion of the coursework in groups. These experiences prove invaluable to graduates when they become project managers.

Decision Sciences and Operations Management (DSOM) MBA Concentration

The DSOM field is focused on the decision-making processes inherent in managing operations of all types. Since these aspects of perations management generally cross other business functions, the DSOM field emphasizes the application of decision-making models in a wide variety of operational settings.