Operations Management Ph.D. Program

Objective

Operations Management concerns the processes used to produce goods and services. It includes the problems faced in managing a single plant, but also those entailed in coordinating the activities of several organizations.

Examples of research topics in Operations Management include operations strategy, supply chain design and control, inventory management, production scheduling, service operations, industrial contracting, dynamic pricing, and remanufacturing networks.

The main purpose of the doctoral program in Operations Management is to train individuals in the pursuit of original research in the field. Although the program is primarily designed to prepare for academic careers, some of our graduates choose consulting or other industry positions. Our goals are to provide the necessary skills and tools for conducting scholarly research and to instill and cultivate the desire and ability to think conceptually, carefully and creatively about operations issues.

A major portion of the program is the preparation of a doctoral dissertation, which is written under the close supervision of a faculty member. Preparatory course work is used to develop the necessary methodological tools as well as to provide an understanding of problems and issues in the application area.

Candidates with a relevant master's degree can expect to complete the program in three to four years. Those with a bachelor's degree normally take four to five years.

Program Overview

Year 1
           Coursework
           Field exam

Year 2
           Continued coursework
           Research proposal

Year 3
           Possible coursework in the first term
           Engagement in research activities
           Advancement to candidacy

Year 4
           Continued research
           Oral examination
           Dissertation