Master of Science in Operations Research

Learn to utilize mathematical abilities and decision-making skills to increase efficiency and solve real-world problems that exist in nearly every sector of business and industry.

To pursue a master's in operations research, students must meet Graduate School admissions requirements, have a baccalaureate degree and have a strong background in applied mathematics including calculus and linear algebra. Students must also have completed three semester credits each in introductory statistics (equivalent to K-State’s STAT 510) and introductory operations research and (equivalent to K-State’s IMSE 560 or IMSE 680)*, and have knowledge of computer programming (equivalent to K-State’s CIS 200 or CIS 209). Otherwise, appropriate remedial courses will be required.

Learn more about the program

Thesis Coursework
Operations Research Core Courses 9 9
Additional Operations Research Courses 3 9
Electives 12 12
Thesis 6 0
IE Seminar 0 0
Total Graduate Credits 30 30

One core course must be taken in each of the three areas:

Continuous optimization
  • IMSE 881 - Linear Programming
  • IMSE 982 - Nonlinear Programming
Discrete optimization
  • IMSE 882 - Network Flows and Graph Theory
  • IMSE 884 - Integer Programming and Combinatorial Optimization
Stochastic processes
  • IMSE 865 - Simulation of Industrial Management Systems
  • IMSE 866 - Applied Stochastic Processes and Theoretical Simulation
  • IMSE 867 - Stochastic Programming
  • IMSE 971 - Industrial Queuing Processes
Additional operations research courses include the following courses and any core courses:
  • IMSE 643 - Industrial Simulation
  • IMSE 710 - Transportation Logistics
  • IMSE 751 - Normative Theory of Decisions and Games
  • IMSE 760 - Stochastic Calculus Financial Engineering
  • IMSE 780 - Methods of Operations Research
  • IMSE 810 - Industrial Logistics
  • IMSE 830 - Applied Fuzzy Set Theory
  • IMSE 865 - Simulation of Industrial Management Systems
  • IMSE 976 - Scheduling Theory
  • IMSE 983 - Dynamic Programming
  • IMSE 990 - Adv Topics in Operations Research
  • IMSE 991 - Multiple Criteria Decision Making
Actual degree requirements will be summarized on an approved plan of study. Some general guidelines include:
  • At least 60 percent of classes must be above 700 level
  • No more than 6 hours can be taken from outside the department without prior permission
  • Courses in IMSE the department must be above the 600 level
  • Courses outside the department must be above the 500 level
  • No more than 6 hours can be taken at the 500 level.
  • No course can count as both a core course and an additional operations research course

Students on-campus are required to enroll in the graduate seminar each semester.

*If an entering student has not taken an introductory operations research course, the student should enroll in IMSE 680 – Quantitative Problem Solving Techniques, to gain this knowledge.