Master of Science in Operations Research (MSOR)
The Master of Science in Operations Research prepares you for careers as research and development engineers and prepares you for a Ph.D.
Last Updated: 12/19/2025 | All information is accurate and still up-to-date
The Master of Science in Operations Research (MSOR) prepares students for careers as research and development engineers in industry. Additionally, it sets the foundation for entering a Ph.D. Program in Operations Research. The MSOR degree requires a minimum of 31 credit hours and the completion of a thesis. Therefore, students gain in-depth knowledge and practical research experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of operations research analysts is projected to increase by 23% from 2022 to 2032, surpassing the average growth rate for all occupations.
Master of Science in Operations Research
Core Courses (10 hours)
To earn the Master of Science in Operations Research degree, you must complete OR 601 Seminar in Operations Research for one credit hour. You must attend the seminar throughout your program. The other nine credit hours will come from selecting one core course from three categories:
- Optimization/Deterministic Models
- Stochastic Models
- Data Science and AI (OR PRO TIP: Other graduate-level CSC, STAT or ISE courses may be substituted with approval)
| Core Courses 1 | |
|---|---|
| Optimization/ Deterministic Models | |
| OR 501 Introduction to Operations Research | |
| OR 504 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling | |
| OR 505 Linear Programming | |
| OR 506 Algorithmic Methods in Nonlinear Programming | |
| OR 531 Dynamic Systems and Multivariable Control I | |
| OR 565 Graph Theory | |
| OR 706 Nonlinear Programming | |
| OR 708 Integer Programming | |
| OR 709 2 Dynamic Programming | |
| OR 719 Vector Space Methods in System Optimization | |
| OR 731 Dynamic Systems and Multivariable Control II | |
| OR 766 Network Flows | |
| Stochastic Models | |
| MA/ST 546 Probability and Stochastic Processes I | |
| MA/ST 747 Probability and Stochastic Processes II | |
| OR 560 Stochastic Models in Industrial Engineering | |
| OR 562 Simulation Modeling | |
| OR 709 2 Dynamic Programming | |
| OR 760 Applied Stochastic Models in Industrial Engineering | |
| OR 761 Queues and Stochastic Service Systems | |
| OR 762 Computer Simulation Techniques | |
| OR 772 Stochastic Simulation Design and Analysis | |
| Data Science and AI | |
| CE 537 Computer Methods and Applications | |
| CSC 505 Design and Analysis of Algorithms | |
| ISE 519 Database Applications in Industrial and Systems Engineering | |
| ISE 535 Python Programming for Industrial and Systems Engineers | |
| ISE 537 Statistical Models for Systems Analytics in Industrial Engineering | |
| ISE 538 Practical Machine Learning for Engineering Analytics | |
| OR 579 Introduction to Computer Performance Modeling | |
| ST 516 Experimental Statistics For Engineers II | |
| ST 554 Analysis of Big Data | |
| ST 558 Data Science for Statisticians |
1 Special topics courses (such as OR 591/791, ISE 589/789 or MA 591/791) may be counted as appropriate core categories with DGP approval.
2 OR 709 cannot be double-counted for the deterministic and stochastic courses categories
Thesis (3-6 hours)
You must complete a master’s thesis (6 credits of OR 693 and/or OR 695 Master’s Thesis Research). Ideally, your thesis will include publishable research.
| Thesis Research | |
|---|---|
| OR 693 Master’s Thesis Research | |
| OR 695 Master’s Thesis Research |
Next, form a Graduate Advisory Committee with at least three faculty members. File a committee-approved Plan of Graduate Work with the Graduate School. Your chair or co-chair and another committee member must be OR Faculty. At least one member should represent your minor field of study.
Finally, you must pass a final oral examination conducted by your Advisory Committee. The exam includes, but is not limited to, a “defense of thesis.”
After passing the MSOR final oral examination, each advisory committee member must approve your thesis. Submit the thesis to the Graduate School’s thesis editor, following the Guide for Preparation of Theses and Dissertations.
OR PRO TIP: Know the Graduate School submission deadlines for graduation. Submit your thesis by appointment; call 919.515.2871.
Electives (15-18 hours)
You should choose five additional elective courses from mathematics, engineering, statistics, computer science, or other STEM disciplines. For example, you can select courses in econometrics or data science. Some business courses are also acceptable as electives. OR PRO TIP: Courses used to satisfy the required core courses requirement cannot be used to satisfy the elective course requirement. Direct any questions about electives to the OR Program Specialist, your faculty advisor or academic committee.
| Area * | Electives |
|---|---|
| Data Analytics, Stats and Computer Science | |
| BAE 555 R Coding for Data Management and Analysis | |
| ECE 542/CSC 542 Neural Networks | |
| ISE 519 Database Applications in Industrial and Systems Engineering | |
| ISE 535 Python Programming for Industrial and Systems Engineers | |
| ISE 748 Quality Engineering | |
| ST 555 Statistical Programming I | |
| ST 556 Statistical Programming II | |
| ST 558 Data Science for Statisticians | |
| ST 563 Introduction to Statistical Learning | |
| Supply Chain and Logistics | |
| ISE 511 Supply Chain Economics and Decision Making | |
| ISE 513 Humanitarian Logistics | |
| ISE 533 Service Systems Engineering | |
| ISE 552 Design and Control of Production and Service Systems | |
| ISE 553 Modeling and Analysis of Supply Chains | |
| MBA 544 Operations Analysis (Warsing's course) | |
| MBA 548 Analytical Supply Chain Management (Heese's course) | |
| Business/Operations Management | |
| ISE 510 Applied Engineering Economy | |
| ISE 511 Supply Chain Economics and Decision Making | |
| *Courses may appear in multiple areas. Be sure to check special topics (e.g. OR 591, OR 791, ISE 589, ISE 789) which vary semester by semester. | |
Total Hours (31 hours)
OR PRO TIP: Must have at least 12 credits of OR prefix courses.
OR Minor
To minor in operations research as part of a Master of Science degree, you need three OR courses (9 credits). Additionally, you must have an OR faculty member on your committee.
If an OR course is cross-listed with other departments, register using the OR prefix.
Sample MSOR Pathways
Stochastics
| Semester | Course #1 | Course #2 | Course #3 | Course #4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | OR 601 (1 credit) | ISE 535 | OR 501 | OR 560 |
| Spring | OR 504 | OR 562 | OR 709 | ST 515 |
| Fall | EM 538 | OR 695 | ST 516 |
Optimization
| Semester | Course #1 | Course #2 | Course #3 | Course #4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | OR 601 (1 credit) | MA 405 | OR 501 | ST 555 |
| Spring | OR 504 | OR 560 | ST 556 | |
| Fall | ISE 537 | OR 505 | OR 506 | OR 695 |
Supply Chain and Logistics
| Semester | Course #1 | Course #2 | Course #3 | Course #4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | OR 601 (1 credit) | EM 538 | ISE 511 | OR 501 |
| Spring | ISE 552 | ISE 553 | OR 562 | |
| Fall | ISE 519 | ISE 754 | OR 506 | OR 695 |
Data Science and AI
| Semester | Course #1 | Course #2 | Course #3 | Course #4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | OR 601 (1 credit) | ISE 535 | ISE 537 | OR 504 |
| Spring | ISE 519 | MEM 538 | OR 562 | OR 693 |
| Fall | ECE 542 | OR 565 | OR 695 |