Operations Research and Information Engineering are key disciplines in the ongoing Information Technology (IT) revolution.
Operations Research has long been associated with scientific decision making, particularly in the development of mathematical models and solution techniques. The process of making decisions depends crucially on timely information. The IT computing and telecommunications revolution has dramatically changed the information landscape and the process of decision making along with it. This has created an increased demand for professionals with ORIE training and IT skills.
Individuals with training in OR are suited to integrate information with mathematics to improve decision making in both commercial and nonprofit enterprises. Such students have a broad perspective encompassing the technical skills required to develop, acquire, and integrate systems. Students also have the exposure to business and management issues to ensure the systems satisfy strategic needs. Companies in the IT industry can benefit from including ORIE techniques in the design of telecommunications, computing, and logistical support systems.
The Information Technology Concentration provides a way to focus an interest in IT within the structure of an ORIE Master of Engineering degree. Students who elect this option are introduced to the essentials of information technology and ways to exploit these tools to support decision making in diverse enterprises.
Required Courses
Students must take a three- or four-credit-hour approved course in each of the following areas. These courses have prerequisites that may make it difficult to fulfill the requirements in two semesters.
- Information Technology (e.g., ORIE 4800)
- Project Management (e.g., CEE 5900)
- Advanced Computing and Communications Technology (e.g., COM S 4320 or COM S 5010 or COM S 5190 or ELE E 4450).
- Information Economics and Strategy (e.g., ORIE 5126, NBA 6330, NBA 6850, or NBA 6010)
Elective Courses
Additional courses related to Information Technology are not required, but are offered in several units of the University including ORIE. Examples are courses in Geographic Information Systems, Data Mining, Delivering OR Solutions with IT, Computer Mediated Communication, Computer Graphics and Visualization, and Corporate Information Systems Management. Such courses may be used as MEng electives where consistent with overall MEng requirements.
The Information Technology Design Project
The engineering design project for the concentration is done as the MEng project in ORIE 5980. In particular, at least one of the projects offered under the Applied Operations Research Concentration will have a strong IT focus and will be designated as the design project for the IT option.
"The program's focus on the practical aspects of Operations Research makes the degree unique and sets it apart from many other distinguished OR degrees. The course work prepared me extremely well for the realities of the business world and helped to make the transition from academia to industry very smooth." —Russ Labe '79