Operations Research and Engineering (BS)

College of Engineering

Program Website

Program Description

This major provides a broad education in the techniques and modeling concepts needed to design, analyze, and operate complex systems. The major prepares students for a wide range of careers including operations research, information technology, entrepreneurship, operations management, consulting, financial engineering, financial services, and engineering management.

The foundation of the major is the development of basic skills in statistics, probability, mathematical optimization, and computer science. Required courses in industrial systems, cost accounting, and simulation build on these skills and provide engineering analysis experiences. In the senior year the curriculum is quite flexible. Students take ORIE electives to broaden and deepen their expertise in applied probability and statistics, industrial systems, optimization, information technology, financial engineering, and their applications.

Because of the wide range of career goals among ORE students, and the large number of electives, students should consult with their major advisors to select electives that best meet their future goals.

Exceptional students interested in pursuing graduate studies are encouraged to speak with their faculty advisors concerning an accelerated program of study.

Academic Standing

Each student in the ORE major should obtain a passing grade in every course; at least C in ENGRD 2700 Eng Probability and Statistics: Modeling and Data Science and MATH 2940 Linear Algebra for Engineers, at least a C- in all ORIE major-required courses; a cumulative GPA of 2.0; a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for ORE major courses1; a grade of C– or better in ENGRD 2110 Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures  by the end of the sixth semester; and satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree requirements. Each student’s performance is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester.

If at least C– is not earned in a required ORIE course, the course must be repeated within one year. The next course in a sequence (ORIE 3310 Optimization II  and ORIE 3510 Stochastic Processes for Decision-Making , in particular) may not be taken until at least a C– is achieved in the prerequisite course. Failure to achieve at least C– in the second attempt will generally result in withdrawal from the major.

1

ORIE major courses used to calculate GPA include engineering core courses, engineering distribution courses (ENGRI XXXX, ENGRD 2700 Eng Probability and Statistics: Modeling and Data Science and ENGRD 2110 Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures), major required courses, ORIE electives, and major approved electives. It does not include liberal studies courses or courses taken to fulfill the requirements for another major/minor. With courses that are repeated, only the highest grade is used in the calculation. 

Honors Program

The B.S. degree with honors is granted to engineering students who satisfy the requirements given on the "Undergraduate Study and Graduation Requirements" page as well as the following requirements.

The 9 additional credits of course work shall be from one or more of the following, with at least 4 credits in the first category:

  • Select ORIE courses at the 5000-level, and all ORIE courses at the 6000-level and above with the exception of seminars and colloquia.
  • A significant research experience or honors project under the direct supervision of an ORIE faculty member using ORIE 4999 ORIE Project or ORIE 4900 Undergraduate Research in ORIE . A significant written report must be submitted as part of this component.
  • A significant teaching experience under the direct supervision of a faculty member in ORIE using ORIE 4990 Teaching in ORIE .

Procedures

Each program must be approved by the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies, and any changes to a program must be approved by the Associate Director.