Comments about MSc-Diploma in Operational Research - At the institution - Southampton - Hampshire
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Objectives
The aim of the programme is to provide you with all the skills required for a successful career, and so a wide spectrum of techniques and approaches from management and other non-mathematical disciplines is covered. For this reason staff from several other Schools in the University are involved with teaching on the MSc programme. Programme objectives are: -to give you a thorough knowledge of the mathematical, computational and communicative skills needed for the practical application of OR; -to give you a broad appreciation of contiguous disciplines which are important in OR; -to illustrate the use of OR tools in a wide range of applications. This part of the programme is not just descriptive since much of the application of OR is best learned by active involvement. The 3-month summer project and computer workshops are designed with this in mind. In addition, seminars provide a forum for the discussion of practical OR issues; -to introduce you to research methods and current issues in OR.
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Entry requirements
The OR approach usually centres on building a model of the system or problem of interest, followed by study of the model using a range of different quantitative techniques. The model building process is often the most challenging part of an OR project and clarifying poorly defined and unstructured problems, which requires a creative yet analytical mind, demands a range of skills. An OR worker needs to be numerate, to enjoy problem-solving, and to have good communication and interpersonal skills. However a first degree in mathematics is not essential; students with degrees in geography, chemistry, economics, business studies, physics, engineering and naval architecture have all successfully completed the MSc programme at Southampton and gone on to obtain good jobs in OR.
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Academic title
MSc/Diploma in Operational Research
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Course description
Programme Structure
The full-time MSc programme is completed over a 12-month period. There are two semesters of taught material, lasting for just over 8 months, which account for 120 credit points (Diploma level). The MSc programme is completed subject to achievement of progression requirements with a project lasting over 3 months.
The Diploma programme comprises the two semesters of taught material, with examinations at the end of each semester.
The MSc Programme Schedule
First Semester
-Deterministic OR Methods (Mathematical Programming & Deterministic OR Techniques
-Stochastic OR Methods
-Statistical Methods I
-Problem Structuring
-Methodology
-Spreadsheet and Database Modelling
-Presenting Reports I
Second Semester
-Statistical Methods II
-Presenting Reports II
-Case Study
-Visual Basic for Applications
In the second semester, students choose from a range of options. Typically, six of the following options must be chosen:
-Forecasting
-Healthcare Modelling
-OR/MS for Developing Countries
-OR/MS in Transportation
-Financial Portfolio Theory
-Current Trends in IT
-Computer Analysis of Data and Models
-Constraint Satisfaction
-Economics for OR/MS
-Accounting for OR/MS
-Knowledge Management and Expert Systems
-Consultancy Skills
-Credit Scoring and Data Mining
-Game Theory in Business
-Project Risk Management
-Managing Resources and Operations
-Strategy in Entrepreneurial Ventures
-There is also a regular seminar series, with speakers from a wide range of organisations providing an appreciation of the developments in and use of OR in practice. There are also Computing Workshops designed to make you more familiar with the use of computers and various packages. You will also research a self-selected topic, producing a report and a presentation on the subject.
