Degree Objectives

The purpose of the program is to educate qualified military members and US citizen civilians in the theory and practice of operations research, with emphasis on the application of quantitative analysis techniques to defense decision-making. Operations Research aims to provide rational bases for decision making by seeking to understand and structure complex situations and to use this understanding to predict system behavior and improve system performance. Much of this work is done using analytical and numerical techniques to develop and manipulate mathematical and computer models of organizational and operational systems composed of people, machines, and procedures.

Areas of Study

In addition to the core requirements, all GOR students must develop in-depth knowledge in at least one specialty area. The specialty sequence requirement consists of at least three courses selected from one of the listed specialty areas.

• Deterministic Operations Research
• Probabilistic Operations Research
• Simulation
• Decision Analysis
• Applied Statistics
• Information Operations / Operations Warfare (IO/OW)
• Operational Modeling

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

Our Program Education Objectives (expectations two or more years beyond graduation) are to produce graduates who:

• Breadth. Apply foundational operations research analysis techniques to efficiently and effectively advance Air Force, DoD, and other government inter-agency organizations, as well as other employer capabilities.
• Depth. Are well educated, highly-valued, and successful operations research analysts.
  Professionalism. Professionally communicate technical analytical assessments, solutions, and results.
• Lifelong Learning. Continue to pursue lifelong multidisciplinary learning.

Program Outcomes (POs)

Our Program Outcomes (student knowledge/skills/abilities) produce graduates who:

• Critical thinking and problem solving skills. Have the ability to classify, formulate, and solve operations research problems.
• Operations research specific knowledge. Have knowledge of operations research areas such as probabilistic modeling, applied statistics, mathematical programming, simulation, and decision analysis to directly support decision and policy making activities.
• Communication Skills. Develop written and oral communications skills necessary to present complex problems to a decision-making audience: problem definition, modeling methodologies, including solution advocacy that utilizes rigorous analytical support.

Typical Graduate Placement

Air Force Officer graduates are typically assigned to analysis groups at the Pentagon, MAJCOM headquarters, AFMC product centers, or other DoD agencies. Non-operational Air Force officer graduates normally carry a 61S3A specialty code (analytical scientist) while operational officers come from the pilot, navigator, missile, and communications career fields. The program leads to the award of an Air Force academic specialty code of 0YEY, 0YEA, 0YEC, 0YET or 0YSY. Army graduates are normally assigned to MACOMs, HQ DA, or various joint commands as FA49 officers. Civilian graduates are well prepared for any position requiring application quantitative analysis techniques to decision making processes.

Admission Criteria

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in operations research or math (not math education), engineering, physics, computer science, or quantitative economics, provided in each case that curriculum includes sufficient mathematics, as noted below.
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores with minimum of 500 (verbal) and 600 (quantitative)
• Calculus I & II (integral and differential calculus) and an advanced calculus course (e.g. multivariable calculus).
• Waivers to the above criteria will be considered on a case by case basis.

Contact Information

• Visit the Admissions Website
• Email Admissions Office Counselor
• Call Admissions Office Counselors: 1-800-211-5097 ext: 3184

For further information on the Operations Research program curriculum or the acquisition of graduates, please contact:

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