OR Graduate Courses

OR 540 - Management Science
Cross-Listed with SYST 540
Operations research techniques and their application to managerial decision making. Mathematical programming, Markov processes, queuing theory, inventory models, PERT, CPM, and computer simulation are covered, as well as use of contemporary computer software for problem solving. Case-study approach to problem solving is used.
Prerequisites : MATH 108, and STAT 250 or OM 200; or equivalent.
Notes : OR/MS and SE/MS majors do not receive credit.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : F, S

OR 541 - Operations Research: Deterministic Models
Survey of deterministic methods of solving real world decision problems. Covers linear programming model and simplex method of solution, duality, and sensitivity analysis, transportation and assignment problems; shortest path, minimal spanning tree, and maximal flow problems; and an introduction to integer and nonlinear programming. Emphasis on modeling and problem solving.
Prerequisites : MATH 203 or equivalent.
Notes : Students who have taken OR 441/MATH 441 will not receive credit.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 542 - Operations Research: Stochastic Models
A survey of probabilistic methods for solving decision problems under uncertainty, probability theory review, reliability, queuing theory, inventory systems, Markov chain models, and simulation. Emphasis on modeling and problem solving.
Prerequisites : STAT 344 or MATH 351, or equivalent.
Notes : Students who have taken OR 442/MATH 442 do not receive credit.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 574 - Quality Control and Process Management
Cross-Listed with SYST 574
An overview of quality control techniques widely used in a number of manufacturing industries. The course teaches students about combining engineering process quality management and traditional statistical quality control procedures that are applicable in industry and are based on contemporary technologies such as lean Six Sigma, total quality management  and predictive maintenance for achieving superior quality, reliability and maintainability.
Prerequisites : Graduate standing or permission of instructor.

OR 576 - Manufacturing Systems Analysis
Cross-Listed with SYST 576
An overview of modeling and analysis of general manufacturing systems techniques widely used in a number of manufacturing industries, such as semiconductor manufacturing. The course teaches students about best scheduling and inventory control practices, enterprise resource management principles, and details of engineering economy that are applicable in the industry.
Prerequisites : Graduate standing or permission of instructor.

OR 635 - Discrete System Simulation
Computer simulation as a scientific methodology in operations analysis, with emphasis on model development, implementation, and analysis of results. Discrete-event models, specialized software, input modeling, and output statistics are covered. Extensive computational work is required.
Prerequisites : OR 542, or STAT 354 or 344, or equivalent; and knowledge of scientific programming language.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 640 - Global Optimization and Computational Intelligence
Introduction to global optimization of nonconvex mathematical programs and numerical methods for the solution of such problems. Topics covered include high-level survey of traditional mathematical programming algorithms; critical comparison of metaheuristics and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to traditional mathematical programming algorithms; probabilistic search, multistart methods, statistical tests of performance and confidence, simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, neural networks, Tabu search, homotopies and tunneling; the traveling salesman problem, the Steiner problem, Stackelberg-Cournot-Nash mathematical games and other classical nonconvex optimization problems.
Prerequisites : MATH 203 or equivalent, and knowledge of a scientific programming language.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 641 - Linear Programming
In-depth look at the theory and methodology of linear programming: Computational enhancements of the revised simplex method; sparse-matrix techniques, bounded variables and the dual simplex method. Alternative interior point methods described and computational complexity of various algorithms analyzed.
Prerequisites : OR 541, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : F

OR 642 - Integer Programming
Cutting plane and enumeration algorithms for solution of integer linear programs; bounding strategies and reformulation techniques; heuristic approaches to the solution of complex problems; knapsack problems, matching problems, set covering and partitioning problems; applications to problems in OR/MS, such as capital budgeting, facility location, political redistricting, engineering design, and scheduling.
Prerequisites : OR 541, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 643 - Network Modeling
Introduction to network problems in operations research, computer science, electrical engineering, and systems engineering. Solution techniques for various classes of such problems are developed. Topics include minimal-cost network flow, maximal flow, shortest path, and generalized networks; plus stochastic networks, network reliability, and combinatorially based network problems. Complexity of each problem class analyzed.
Prerequisites : OR 541, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : F

OR 644 - Nonlinear Programming
Nonlinear optimization theory and techniques applicable to problems in engineering, economics, operations research, and management science. Covers convex sets and functions, optimality criteria and duality; algorithms for unconstrained minimization, including descent methods, conjugate directions, Newton-type and quasi-Newton methods; and algorithms for constrained optimization, including active set methods and penalty and barrier methods.
Prerequisites : MATH 213 or equivalent, and OR 541; or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : S

OR 645 - Stochastic Processes
Cross-Listed with STAT 645
Selected applied probability models including Poisson processes, discrete- and continuous-time Markov chains, renewal and regenerative processes, semi-Markov processes, queuing and inventory systems, reliability theory, and stochastic networks. Emphasis on applications in practice as well as analytical models.
Prerequisites : OR 542 or STAT 544, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : F

OR 647 - Queuing Theory
Unified approach to queuing, organized by type of model. Single- and multiple-channel exponential queues; Erlangian models, bulk and priority queues, networks of queues; general arrival and/or service times; and statistical inference and simulation of queues are covered. Extensive use of computational software.
Prerequisites : OR 542, STAT 544, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : S

OR 648 - Production and Inventory Systems
An analysis of production and inventory systems. Use of mathematical modeling for solutions of production planning and inventory control problems is introduced. Also included are stochastic inventory systems of lot sized-reorder type; periodic review and single-period models; application of dynamic programming theory to deterministic and stochastic cases; and static and dynamic production-planning models.
Prerequisites : OR 541 and 542, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 649 - Topics in Operations Research
Advanced topic chosen according to interests of students and instructor from dynamic programming, inventory theory, queuing theory, Markov and semi-Markov decision processes, reliability theory, decision theory, network flows, large-scale linear programming, nonlinear programming, and combinatorics.
Prerequisites : Permission of instructor.
Notes : May be repeated for maximum 6 credits if topics are substantially different.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 651 - Military Operations Research I: Cost Analysis
While drawing on other disciplines (managerial accounting, econometrics, systems analysis), cost analysis uses operations research to assist decision makers in choosing preferred future courses of action by evaluating selected alternatives on the basis of their costs, benefits, and risks. Cost analysis is distinctly different from cost estimating in that projecting future courses of action almost always requires mathematical modeling. Topics include analysis overview, economic analysis, estimating relationships (factors, simple and complex models), acquiring and verifying cost data, cost progress curves, life-cycle costing, scheduling estimating, effectiveness and risk estimation, relationship of effectiveness models and measures to cost analysis.
Corequisite : OR 541 or 542.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : S

OR 652 - Military Operations Research Modeling II: Effectiveness Analysis
Examines issues and modeling underlying military decisions at the Military Service, Joint Staff, and Department of Defense level. Analytical methods with applications to theater campaign analysis, equipment and weapon system modernization, force structure development, strategic mobility and deployment, small-scale contingency operations, logistics, and requirements determination are considered. Optimization, simulation, and statistical techniques are stressed. Realistic problems presented and solved as case studies. Display of results and presentation techniques for military decision makers emphasized.
Corequisite : OR 541 or 542.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : F

OR 660 - Air Transportation Systems Modeling
Cross-Listed with SYST 660
Introduces range of current issues in air transportation, including public policy toward the industry, industry economics, system capacity, current system modeling capability, human factors considerations, safety analysis and surveillance systems, and new technological developments. Students expected to develop broad understanding of contemporary and future issues. Knowledge evaluated through class discussions, a take-home midterm exam and a term project to be completed by the end of the semester.
Prerequisites : SYST 460/560, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : S

OR 671 - Judgment and Choice Processing and Decision Making
Cross-Listed with SYST 671
How do people make judgments and decisions? Course presents an initial review of scientific literature directed toward answering this question, and emphasizes its importance when performing decision analysis and designing systems to support judgment and decision processes.
Prerequisites : STAT 510 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : F

OR 674 - Dynamic Programming
Cross-Listed with SYST 674
Course on the theory and practice of dynamic programming, i.e., optimal sequential decision making over time in the presence of uncertainties. Stresses intuition, the mathematical foundations being for the most part elementary. Introduces the theory, applications (finance, engineering, and biology), and computational aspects of dynamic programming for deterministic and stochastic problems.
Prerequisites : OR 442 or OR 542 or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 675 - Reliability Analysis
Cross-Listed with STAT 678
Introduction to component and system reliability, their relationship, and problems of inference. Topics include component lifetime distributions and hazard functions, parameter estimation and hypothesis testing, life testing, accelerated life testing, system structural functions, and system maintainability.
Prerequisites : STAT 544 or 554, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 677 - Statistical Process Control
Cross-Listed with STAT 677/SYST 677
Introduces concepts of quality control and reliability. Acceptance sampling, control charts, and economic design of quality control systems are discussed, as are system reliability, fault-tree analysis, life testing, repairable systems, and the role of reliability, quality control and maintainability in life-cycle costing. Role of MIL and ANSI standards in reliability and quality programs also considered.
Prerequisites : STAT 544 or 554, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 680 - Project Course in Operations Research
Capstone course for both the master’s program in operations research and certificate in computational modeling. Can also be used in lieu of the project in master’s program in systems engineering. Focus is on model development and implementation involved in the practice of operational modeling. Key activity is completion of a major applied group project. Work includes project proposal planning, completion, documentation, and presentation. To be taken in last spring semester of studies.
Prerequisites : 21 graduate credits in OR or SYST.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 681 - Decision and Risk Analysis
Cross-Listed with SYST 573
Application of analytic reasoning and skills to practical problems in decisionmaking. Topics include problem structure, analysis and solution implementation, emphasizing contemporary approaches to decision analytic techniques.
Prerequisites : OR 542 or MBA 638.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : F

OR 682 - Computational Methods in Engineering and Statistics
Cross-Listed with CSI 700
Numerical methods have been developed to solve mathematical problems that lack explicit closed-form solutions or have solutions that are not amenable to computer calculations. Examples include solving differential equations or computation probabilities. Discusses numerical methods for such problems as regression, analysis of variance, nonlinear equations, differential and difference equations and nonlinear optimization. Applications in statistics and engineering are emphasized. Involves extensive computer use.
Prerequisites : MATH 203 and 213 or equivalent, and modern numerical methods and software.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 683 - Principles of Command, Control, Communications, Computing, and Intelligence (C4I)
Cross-Listed with SYST 680/ECE 670
Fundamental principles of C4I are developed from descriptive, theoretical, and quantitative perspectives. Principles and techniques applicable to wide range of civilian and military situations. Topics include C2 process; modeling and simulation for combat operations; detection, sensing, and tracking; data fusion and situation assessment; optimal decision making; methodologies and tools of C4I architectures; tools for modeling and evaluations of C4 systems such as queuing theory.
Prerequisites : ECE 528, OR 542, or SYST 611; or equivalent.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0
When Offered : F

OR 690 - Optimization of Supply Chains
Focuses on both supply chain optimization from an enterprise-wide perspective, and supply chain optimization from a business-to-business e-commerce concern. Concerned with optimizing the value of goods and services and assuring a reasonable return on such sales. Describes both heuristic and exact algorithms for scheduling, production, inventory management, logistics, and distribution. New software that enables such optimization is presented, as are manufacturing and service examples from the public and private sectors. New techniques to handle risk, quality of data, and robustness of solutions are presented. Students perform case studies using state-of-the-art software.
Prerequisites : Graduate standing, mathematics through linear algebra, and STAT 344.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 719 - Computational Models of Probabilistic Reasoning
Cross-Listed with STAT 719/CSI 775
Introduction to theory and methods for building computationally efficient software agents that reason, act, and learn environments characterized by noisy and uncertain information. Covers methods based on graphical probability and decision models. Studies approaches to representing knowledge about uncertain phenomena, and planning and acting under uncertainty. Topics include knowledge engineering, exact and approximate inference in graphical models, learning in graphical models, temporal reasoning, planning, and decision-making. Practical model-building experience provided. Students apply what they learn to a semester-long project of their own choosing.
Prerequisites : STAT 652 or SYST/ STAT 664, or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 735 - Advanced Stochastic Simulation
Cross-Listed with IT 735/SYST 735
Special topics and recent developments in Monte Carlo simulation methodology for discrete-event stochastic systems. Contents vary; possible topics include statistical analysis of simulation output data, random number and random ariate generation, variance reduction techniques, sensitivity analysis and optimization of simulation models, distributed and parallel simulation, object-oriented simulation, and specialized applications.
Prerequisites : OR 635 or permission of instructor.
Notes : May be repeated for credit when topics are distinctly different.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 741 - Advanced Linear Programming
Recent developments in linear programming. Highlights advances in interior point methods and also addresses developments in the simplex method. Projective methods, affine methods, and path-following methods are examined, including Karmarkar’s original work. Discusses relationships between these methods, and relationships to methods in nonlinear programming. Also discussed are advances in data structures and other implementation issues. Students test software and solve large-scale linear programs.
Prerequisites : OR 541 and 641.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 750 - Advanced Topics in Operations Research
Special topics, applications, or recent developments in operations research. Contents vary and may include topics in optimization, stochastic methods, or decision support that are not covered in the standard OR curriculum.
Prerequisites : OR 541 or 542, and 600-level course that varies with content of course.
Notes : May be repeated for credit when topics are distinctly different.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 751 - Advanced Topics in Operations Research for Planning, Scheduling, and Network Design
Introduces network and combinatorial optimization problems in logistics, computer science, electrical engineering, and systems engineering. Solution techniques for various classes of such problems are developed. Topics include scheduling algorithms, capital budgeting, minimal cost network flow, optimal routings, and generalized networks. Scheduling algorithms, network reliability, stochastic networks, and combinatorially based network problems are discussed.
Prerequisites : OR 642, 643, or 690.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 763 - Research Methods in Systems Engineering and Information Technology
Cross-Listed with IT 763/SYST 763
Examines alternative paradigms of scientific research and their applicability to research in information technology. Topics include fundamental elements of scientific investigation, basic principles of experimental design and statistical induction, philosophy of science and its relation to the information technology sciences, and case studies of information technology research.
Prerequisites : STAT 554.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 774 - Advanced Dynamic Programming
Cross-Listed with IT 774
Covers advanced topics on the theory and practice of dynamic programming, i.e., optimal sequential decision making over time in the presence of uncertainties. Stresses the mathematical foundations and introduces the theory, computational aspect, and applications of dynamic programming for deterministic and stochastic problems.
Prerequisites : OR674/SYST674 or permission of instructor.

OR 780 - Queuing Modeling of Computer-Communication Networks
Cross-Listed with IT 780
Studies analytical modeling of computer and communication networks and performance evaluations. Topics include Markovian systems, open networks, closed networks, approximations, decomposition, simulation, sensitivity analysis, and optimal operation of systems. Presents local area networks, manufacturing systems, and other applications.
Prerequisites : OR 645 or 647, or ECE 542; or equivalent.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 782 - Advanced Topics in Combinatorial Optimizations
Cross-Listed with IT 782
Studies problems using most recent developments. Topics include cutting plane procedures based on polyhedral combinatorics; column-generation procedures for large, complex problems; heuristic approaches such as genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, and tabu search; study of special structures; reformulation techniques; and bounding approaches. Topics stress most recent developments in field.
Prerequisites : OR 641 and 642.
Notes : May be repeated for credit when topics are distinctly different.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 783 - Advanced Topics in Network Optimization
Cross-Listed with IT 783
Recent developments in solving optimization problems on networks. Prepares doctoral students to perform advanced research on network-related problems. Topics include linear, discrete, nonlinear, and stochastic problems. Several aspects of problems also studied, including computational complexity, exact algorithms, heuristics, solvable special cases, and computer implementation issues.
Prerequisites : OR 643.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 784 - Advanced Topics in Nonlinear Programming
Cross-Listed with IT 784
Studies theory and algorithms for solving nonlinear optimization problems. Contents vary; possible topics include large-scale and parallel-unconstrained optimization, theoretical issues in constrained optimization, duality theory, Lagrangian and sequential quadratic programming methods.
Prerequisites : OR 644.
Notes : May be repeated for credit when topics are distinctly different.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 842 - Models of Probabilistic Reasoning
Cross-Listed with IT 842, SYST 842
Survey of alternative views about how incomplete, inconclusive, and possibly unreliable evidence might be evaluated and combined. Discusses Bayesian, Baconian, Shafer-Dempster, and Fuzzy systems for probabilistic reasoning.
Prerequisites : STAT 544 or OR 681, or permission of the instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 888 - Distributed Estimation and Multisensor Tracking and Fusion
Cross-Listed with SYST 888/IT 888/ECE 753
Centralized and distributed estimation theory, hierarchical estimation, tracking and data association, multisensor multitarget tracking and fusion, distributed tracking in distributed sensor networks, track-to-track association and fusion, and Bayesian networks for fusion.
Prerequisites : ECE 734 or SYST 611.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 944 - The Process of Discovery and Its Enhancement in Engineering Applications
Cross-Listed with IT 944, SYST 944
Studies ingredients of imaginative reasoning as it concerns efficient discovery of new ideas and valid evidential test of them. Topics include different interpretations of Peirce’s theory of abductive reasoning and other forms of reasoning, Hintikka’s analysis of process of inquiry, and current attempts to design systems that provide assistance in discovery-related or investigative activities.
Prerequisites : IT 842 or permission of instructor.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0

OR 981 - Optimization in Medicine
Course focuses on the application of optimization to medicine, as well as on modeling used  and solution approaches to the optimization problems generated. Particular attention is paid to algorithms and methodology not discussed in other optimization courses. Topics covered include nonlinear integer programs, large-scale nonlinear and integer programs, problems governed by differential equations, and more.
Prerequisites : OR 641, OR 642, OR 643, or OR 644.
Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week : 3
Hours of Lab or Studio per week : 0