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Undergraduate Major

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The mission of the undergraduate program in Management Science and Engineering is to prepare students to create solutions to pressing societal problems by integrating and pushing the frontiers of operations research, economics, and organization science.

The program builds on the foundational courses in calculus and linear algebra. Students complete core courses in mathematical modeling, systems analysis, organization theory, optimization, probability, statistics, ethics, computer science, and economics, leading to a capstone senior project. Through the core, students in the program are exposed to the breadth of faculty interests and prepared to study different areas of application of the department's methodologies.

To personalize their exploration, students select additional courses from different application areas of the department, with greater emphasis in one of them. 

  1. Finance and Decision: focuses on the design and analysis of financial plans and decision making under uncertainty.
  2. Operations and Analytics: focuses on algorithms, theory, and the design and analysis of markets, platforms, and service systems.
  3. Organizations, Technology, and Policy: focuses on understanding, design, and analysis of organizations and public policy, particularly technology-based issues.

The major is designed to allow a student to explore all three undergraduate areas of the department in greater depth.

Educational objectives

Principles and skills
Students acquire a basic understanding of management science and engineering principles, including analytical problem solving and communications skills.

Preparation for practice
Students prepare for practice in a field that sees rapid changes in tools, problems, and opportunities.

Preparation for continued growth
Students prepare for graduate study and self-development over an entire career.

Preparation for service
Students develop the awareness, background, and skills required to become responsible citizens, employees, and leaders.

Learning outcomes

The department expects undergraduate majors in the program to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes. These learning outcomes are used in evaluating students and the department's undergraduate program.

Students are expected to be able to:
1)   Apply the knowledge of mathematics, engineering, and organizations;
2)   Design and conduct experiments;
3)   Design a system or components to meet desired needs;
4)   Identify, formulate, and solve engineering and organizational problems;
5)   Use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice in organizations;
6)   Function on multidisciplinary teams;
7)   Communicate effectively;
8)   Recognize the need for and demonstrate an ability to engage in life-long learning;
9)   Obtain the background necessary for admission to top professional graduate programs in operations research, business, economics, law, medicine, or public policy;
10) Understand professional and ethical responsibility;
11) Obtain the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context;
12) Obtain a knowledge of contemporary issues pertinent to the field of management science and engineering.

Careers

The major prepares students for a variety of career paths, including investment banking, management consulting, and product or project management; or for graduate studies in operations research, business, economics, law, medicine, or public policy.