Degree Plan – Management Science PhD
Students typically devote the first two years to course work and research seminars. They take a preliminary exam based on the course work and seminars at the end of their first year, and take a comprehensive qualifying exam based on the course work and seminars at the end of their second year. During their second summer in the program, students write an original research paper on a topic of interest to them. By the end of the second year, each student begins to develop his/her dissertation research area, which is usually completed over the next two to three years.
The program offers concentrations in areas such as Accounting, Information Systems, Finance, Marketing and Operations Management. Core and elective courses provide students a thorough understanding of research methodologies and management principles. A sequence of PhD seminars exposes students to traditional and emerging research issues in their respective areas.
Prerequisites
Calculus, matrix algebra, computer programming and statistics are prerequisites for the doctoral program – every admitted student is responsible for ensuring he/she has satisfied these prerequisite requirements before joining the program. Doctoral students in Management Science benefit from an exposure to multiple functional areas in management. To ensure this benefit, students who enter the program without an MBA (or equivalent degree) are required to complete a combined minimum of four courses (at the master’s or doctoral level) in at least three functional areas. This cross-functional exposure is particularly useful for students engaging in cross-functional research, in positioning their research for wider appeal, and for effectively teaching business school students with diverse specializations.
Incoming students complete a two-week math refresher in August, before the semester begins, to help prepare for fall classes.
Degree Requirements
Year 1 and 2
- Coursework
- Preliminary examination
- Qualifying examination
- Research papers
- Research activities
- Completion of other requirements for concentration
Year 3
- Directed reading and research
- Admission to candidacy
- Formulation of dissertation topic
Year 4
- Dissertation proposal
- Continued research
- Dissertation defense
Students are evaluated annually on their progress in the program.
Core Requirements
Required Core Courses
Secondary Required Core Courses
Students must take at least three of the following courses:
- OPRE 7310 Probability and Stochastic Processes
- MECO 7313 Applied Econometrics
- MECO 6320 Introduction to Econometrics (or ECON 6309 Econometrics I)
- MECO 7320 Advanced Econometrics (or ECON 7309 Econometrics II)
- OPRE 7320 Optimal Control Theory and Applications
- OPRE 7311 Stochastic Models in Operations Research
- OPRE 7330 Deterministic Models in Operations Research
- MECO 6360 Topics in Industrial Organization
- MECO 7311 Advanced Game Theory
- OPRE 7343 Modern Machine Learning Methods
Remaining requirements beyond the core courses are made up of approved specialty courses, research, independent study and dissertation hours as defined by a program committee appointed to guide and evaluate each student’s doctoral dissertation.
