The discipline of operations research develops and uses mathematical and computational methods for decision-making. The field revolves around a mathematical core consisting of several fundamental topics including optimization, stochastic systems, simulation, economics and game theory, and network analysis. The broad applicability of its core topics places operations research at the heart of many important contemporary problems such as communication network management, statistical learning, supply-chain management, pricing and revenue management, financial engineering, market design, bio-informatics, production scheduling, energy and environmental policy, and transportation logistics, to name a few.   Operations research offers a wide variety of career opportunities in industry, public service, and academia—applying operations research methods to improve how organizations or engineering systems perform, developing products that leverage operations research tools, consulting, conducting research, or teaching.   The Ph.D. program in Operations Research at Stanford University offers research and educational opportunities to students pursuing careers in the field.  The program is distinguished by its outstanding faculty and students as well as the breadth of course offerings and research directions.  The program has graduated generations of operations researchers, many of whom are current leaders in the field.  The program is based in the Department of Management Science and Engineering, which also hosts programs in economics and finance, information science and technology, decision analysis and risk analysis, organization, technology and entrepreneurship, policy and strategy, and production operations and management.  These complementary programs offer great synergistic opportunities.

Department of Management Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, Stanford University