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Operations Management Dissertation Topics

Published by Alvin Nicolas at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On May 17, 2024

Introduction

Selecting an appropriate topic is   perhaps the most important aspect of the dissertation module. Students spend months and years (in the case of a PhD) on their dissertation projects. Therefore, it is critical to choose an interesting but manageable topic of research. Selecting the right topic can also help complete the paper to the highest quality and within the allocated deadline framework.

This article aims to provide comprehensive support in the selection of a suitable operations management dissertation topic. All the topics presented in this piece are carefully short-listed on the basis of the following important factors;

• A topic must have a recent research interest/popularity in academics
• Data must be available to analyse the recent research to develop a case of research in the form of a step forward (contribution factor)
• The topic must be manageable with respect to the availability of time and resources
• The chosen topic should encourage the students to explore and investigate to further the research in their preferred area

Writer’s suggestion : Before selecting a topic, outline the type of research you intend to undertake given the available time and monetary resources; such as whether to perform primary or secondary and qualitative or quantitative. For example, you might not be able to conduct a cross-national survey based on primary research, as it can turn out to be a difficult and unmanageable task.

Therefore, it is important to select a topic which you can manage within the given resources; to produce high-quality results that would eventually lead to a high academic score. The following topics are much emphasised in today’s academic world, and you can rely on these topics with utmost trust.

Some of these topics can also include primary research, which may include conducting interviews and/or questionnaires with industry practitioners to suggest the most efficient systems and to present the pros and cons of each system based on the data obtained through primary research.

These operations management dissertation topics have been developed by PhD-qualified writers of our team , so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the topic, research question, aim and objectives, literature review, and the proposed methodology of research to be conducted. Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  dissertation examples  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

Review the full list of  dissertation topics here.

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Operations and Management Research Topics

Topic 1: investigating the risks associated with green technology in the chinese construction industry..

Research Aim: This research study aims to investigate the challenges that project managers face while managing Chinese green technology construction projects and the risks associated with it. This study will also examine the relationship between the challenges related to green construction and its impact on its success and will also find improvement in the development of green technology.

Topic 2: Analysing the operational risk in outsourcing software projects for international companies.

Research Aim: The concept of outsourcing is a trending topic nowadays. This research study aims to find the operational risk perceived in the process of outsourcing software projects in international companies and how they eliminate operational risks during the process.

A conceptual framework will be used to investigate the risks for strategic IT system development outsourcing projects.

Topic 3: How do the merger and acquisition of a company affect the performance of its employees? An exploratory study identifying the factors that affect employee's performance. A case study of (Any company or companies can be studied)

Research Aim: This research aims to find the impact of the merger and acquisition of a company on its employees’ performance. This research will use a company or companies as a case study that went through a merger and acquisition. To identify different factors that affect the performance of employees during and after merger and acquisition. And after identifying those factors and their impact on the performance of employees. The research will also recommend possible ways to minimise the impacts of those factors on employees’ performance.

Topic 4: Impact of strategic management on the financial performance of companies

Research Aim: This research aims to find the impact of companies’ strategic management on their financial performance. This study will use indicators suggested by extensive literature in strategic management to gauge the strategic planning done by these companies. The study will then identify to what extent those indicators affect the companies’ financial performance under observation. Based on the results, the study will recommend improvement in the areas that can improve the strategic management of those companies. That, in consequence, will improve the financial performance of those companies.

Topic 5: Analysing the operational risks associated with the manufacturing of automobiles and the role of plant managers in reducing these risks.

Research Aim: This research study aims to identify and analyse the risks that businesses face during the manufacturing of automobiles and vehicles. And how plant managers proposed effective strategies to reduce these risks.  In this study, a conceptual framework of the operational model of management will help increase the overall effectiveness of automobile industries.

Topic 6: An assessment of the Company's tradeoff between innovation and uniformity- A case study of UK IT sector.

Research Aim: The primary goal of this study is to conduct an analysis of a company’s tradeoff between innovation and uniformity. This study will explore different components of the United Kingdom’s IT sector. It will give us an understanding of the importance of innovation and uniformity from a theoretical perspective and also examine the risk factors involved in the United Kingdom’s IT sector.

Topic 7: Operation Management- Comparison between different forecast approaches.

Research Aim: The main goal of this study is to examine various forecasting methodologies used in operation management.   Furthermore, this research offers insight into product operation management and what contributes to making it more effective. In addition, this study will look at the aspects and effects of various approaches utilised in product operation management.

Topic 8: An examination of the Effectiveness of RBT in strategic operation management in the UK manufacturing industry.

Research Aim: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of RBT in strategic operation management in the United Kingdom’s manufacturing industry. This study highlights the effectiveness and also discusses the benefits and drawbacks of strategic operation management in the UK manufacturing industry. Furthermore, it also highlights the importance of RBT in the UK manufacturing industry.

Topic 9: Humanitarian operation management- A review of Literature

Research Aim: In this study, we will analyse different previous studies on humanitarian operation management to find its importance. This study will also look at different methodologies used in humanitarian operations. Different scientific advancements and technologies will also be covered in this study.

Topic 10: A study to Determine if Operations Management Solutions Effectively Meet the Needs of Home Care Organisations- An International Perspective.

Research Aim: The main goal of this research is to perform a comprehensive analysis of operational management activities in order to properly comprehend and evaluate them in order to determine the efficiency of various regularly employed strategies. It will also identify key methods utilised in operational management activities, how these solutions are implemented worldwide by home care companies, and how these methods will have an impact on home care organizations, and determine if they will have a favourable or bad impact.

Topic 11: A Study to Understand the Role of Data Analytics in Improving Operational Decision-Making

Research Aim: This research investigates the impact and significance of data analytics on improving operational decision-making processes. It will examine various methodologies, tools, and applications of data analytics and understand the role of data analytics in optimizing operational efficiencies and enhancing overall performance across diverse industries.

Topic 12: Analysing the Effects of Lean Six Sigma Methodologies on Reducing Patient Wait Times in Different Healthcare Settings

Research Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma methodologies in reducing patient wait times within various healthcare settings. Through a comprehensive analysis of case studies, statistical data, and qualitative research methods, this study aims to evaluate the impact of Lean Six Sigma principles on improving operational efficiency and patient satisfaction. 

COVID-19 Operations and Management Research Topics

Topic 1: impacts of coronavirus on global supply chains.

Research Aim: The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in a shortage of essential supplies, including safety equipment and diagnostic and clinical management. WHO (World Health Organisation) has organised a supply chain task force team (COVID supply chain system). This study will identify the details of this supply chain system and discuss how it works.

Topic 2: Intelligent operation management during COVID-19

Research Aim: As a result of COVID-19, industries are facing a lack of resources and staff. This situation calls for intelligent operation management to ensure the continuity of the operation during this challenging situation. This study will analyse how Intelligent operation management works during COVID-19, discussing its advantages, challenges, and possible solutions to improve it.

Topic 1: Impact of JIT on improving supply chain efficiency of large retail outlets

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the impact of JIT on improving the supply chain efficiency of large retail outlets

Topic 2: Operation management strategies B2B and B2C business model

Research Aim: This research aims to assess and compare the operation management strategies B2B and B2C business model

Topic 3: The role of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in SCM (Supply Chain Management)

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the role of Information and Communication Technology in Supply Chain Management.

Topic 4: TQM (Total Quality Management) as a competitive advantage

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the role of total quality management as a competitive advantage.

Topic 5: A Big Data Approach to Optimizing Last-Mile Delivery in Online Retail

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the role of big data in optimizing last-mile delivery in online retail. 

Original Operations Management Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: analysing the impact of enterprise resource planning (erp) on improving business operations of multinational companies..

Research Aim: The main purpose of this research will be to highlight the major benefits of ERP, which can facilitate multinational organisations to help in conducting business operations productively and effectively. The researcher will identify major factors of ERP that can be related to the effective execution of business operations while increasing the overall productivity and efficiency of the business.

Topic 2: Impact of Just-in-time (JIT) inventory on improving supply chain efficiency of large retail outlets

Research Aim: The researcher will identify the major advantages as well as disadvantages of using Just-in-time (JIT) inventory in the supply chain operations of the major retail outlets. In this study, the researcher will highlight major factors of Just-in-time (JIT) inventory that may directly or indirectly influence the effectiveness of the supply chain of large retail outlets while proposing recommendations to retail companies to increase the effectiveness and productivity of the company.

Topic 3: Analysing the pros and cons of outsourcing logistic operation activities in the construction industry of the UK

Research Aim: The main purpose of this qualitative-natured study will be to identify the major advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing logistic operation activities while focusing on its implementation in the UK construction industry.

Topic 4: Assessing and comparing the operations management strategies of B2B and B2C business models

Research Aim: The researcher aims to discover prompt operations management strategies that are being utilised by major B2B and B2C companies while taking examples of major key players in each of the business models. After identification, the researcher will compare those strategies and recommend the best strategies and practices that can be utilised by each of the business models discussed in the study.

Topic 5: Analysing the operational risks involved in the manufacturing of automobiles and how can minimise these risks

Research Aim: The main aim of this study will be to identify and analyse the major risks that can be experienced by companies during the manufacturing of automobiles and vehicles while proposing effective strategies that can be used by plant managers to reduce these risks. In this study, the researcher will use a conceptual model of operational management, which helps increase the overall effectiveness of automobile industries.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service !

Supply Chain Management Dissertation Topics

The supply chain is considered one of the most important aspects of business in any organisation, as optimum management in the supply chain leads to successful business operations. Therefore, it is pivotal for organisations to constantly enhance processes and techniques of the supply chain, which involve control, measurements, troubleshooting, adaptability, and innovation of new solutions. The following research topics are suggested for dissertation writing in the field of supply chain management;

• Supply chain management and the related legal frameworks; Investigating the practices of the UK’s industrial sector
• The strengths and weaknesses of the supply chain are large and diversified business organisations.
• The role of supply chain in manufacturing industry of the UK: A comprehensive study to evaluate the impact of supply chain management
• Influence of state-of-the-art technology-aided systems on supply chain management.
• Impact of information technology on supply chain management
• Case study of Dell, IMB and other supply chain control management systems being employed worldwide by large-scale organizations
• Supply chain management and e-commerce
• The role of ICT in supply chain management

Lean Manufacturing Dissertation Topics

The lean concepts are still young and in the stage of steady development. New concepts are coming into practice as the efficacy of the old ones continues to diminish. Research ideas that have been much emphasised in recent research studies include Total Quality Control (TQC), Total Quality Management (TQM), Just in Time (JIT), and Total productivity maintenance (TPM). Some interesting topics on this subject are listed below;

• The influence of lean manufacturing techniques in operations management
• Analyses of lean manufacturing techniques; Review of the most influential techniques currently being employed in the UK manufacturing Industry; an inside perspective (This may include primary research in which the actual users of different techniques will be requested to provide their views on the impact of different techniques and to recommend which of the techniques can be best used to enhance industry productivity and performance)
• Total quality management as a competitive advantage: A case study of the UK’s industry (Dell/HP/Other)
• The relationship between quality management and client Satisfaction: A case of the UK’s construction/manufacturing Industry (This can also include primary research from the perspective of clients/buyers who can be questioned regarding their experience of the construction quality they obtained. The data could then be used to provide key recommendations for quality management)
• Practical implementation of lean manufacturing techniques: A review of how business organisations have successfully adopted various techniques
• Influence of new technology on lean manufacturing techniques, such as the use of Business Information Modeling (BIM), SAP, and other tools for enhancement of quality and productivity
• Evolution of quality from the perspective of the development of lean manufacturing techniques: A study on how industries have been shaped by lean concepts in the past and visualizing the future SOPs

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Inventory Management Dissertation Topics

Inventory Management is another important component of supply Chain Management. A considerable amount of research has been conducted in this field of study in recent times, which highlights the need to establish effective processing techniques and systems so that business organisations can effectively measure/manage the operations of their respective industries.

Optimum inventory management enables control of costs, time, productivity, and delivery, which are considered to be the pillars of any industry. The following topics are presented for dissertation writing on inventory management:

• The influence of optimum inventory management on supply chain management: A study on how effective inventory management systems can help to establish high-performing supply management systems in an industry
• Analyses of inventory management systems being employed in the UK industries
• The impact of latest technological developments on inventory management systems; A case study of the UK’s manufacturing Industry
• Inventory management systems in the manufacturing industry: Methods, benefits, challenges and opportunities
• Case study on inventory management in retail; A case study of ASDA/TESCO/SAINSBURURY. (Primary research-based: Data from different stores can be collected and compared)
• The impact of Just in Time (JIT) on the UK’s inventory management systems
• Adaptability of JIT inventory management in the UK
• E-commerce inventory management systems

Product Development Dissertation Topics

New Product Development (NPD) and the role of Research and Development (R&D) in the process of product development have remained a focus of research and a trigger for intense academic debate in the last many years.

The most notable elements of product development include new concept developments, new product designs, product engineering, and market analyses and research.

Many organisations continually strive to develop new products and add these to their product pipelines to earn additional profits. From the consumer perspective, NPD enhances the brand image and provides a research and development edge to business organisations.

• Evaluating the process of product development: The need and implications
• Strategies of Product Development and the Product Mix
• Strategies of product development in various Industries – A case study of a company of your choice. This can also include primary research where different systems can be compared and data analysed.
• The role of latest technological advancements and computer-aided systems in product development; A case study of the UK’s research and development industry

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Production Planning / Scheduling Dissertation Topics

Production planning and scheduling are considered one of the most crucial aspects of the manufacturing industry because it helps to maintain optimum levels of productivity in accordance with the production plans.

Moreover, Production scheduling has a direct influence on the production business, as it impacts the fundamental elements of production and services, such as production lead times, quality maintenance, and maintenance of supply & demand, and overall client satisfaction. Therefore, research in the field of production planning has been prioritised in modern times, and efforts have been made to develop integrated systems that incorporate various variables and elements of the production plan. Following are some of the selected topics that can be chosen for further research and dissertations;

• Production Scheduling Analysis: A review of techniques employed in the UK’s Manufacturing Industry
• Analyses of Production Scheduling/Planning Techniques in Different Manufacturing Industries (Car Industry/Process industry/Steel Industry/Cement Industry)
• Production Scheduling/Planning Techniques and Profitability of Different Manufacturing Industries (Car Industry/Process industry/Steel Industry/Cement Industry)
• The Role of Latest Technological Advancements and Computer Aided Systems in Production Scheduling
• The Role of Information Technology and Innovation in Production Scheduling

Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing Strategy Dissertation Topics

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a systematic operation that facilitates the manufacturing of a product from raw materials. The manufacturing strategy includes the methods of producing goods and is designed in accordance with the business objectives. Some of the latest supply chain management and manufacturing strategy dissertation topics are given below;

• Manufacturing strategy: Investigating the importance of optimised manufacturing strategy for successful business operations
• Review the manufacturing strategies of the UK’s automobile industry/ process industry/ manufacturing industry / any other industry of your choice.
• The impact of new technologies on the development of optimised manufacturing strategies and techniques
• Supply chain management: Investigating the importance of optimised supply chain management techniques for successful business operations
• Examining supply chain management strategies of the UK’s automobile industry/process industry/manufacturing Industry / Any other industry of your choice
• Use of latest technologies for efficient supply chain management over the last decade (This may include primary research where data would be obtained from the practitioners of manufacturing/other industries via e-mail, interviews and/or questionnaire)

Risk Management Dissertation Topics

Industrial risk management is one of the most researched topics of recent times. Almost every engineering or financial activity involves risks in terms of their consequences and probabilities. The course of the future cannot be fully predicted. Of course, however, various actions can be undertaken to manage/mitigate these risks.

Analysis of various factors that can contribute to the risks, such as political influence, oil prices and exchange rates, equipment performance characteristics, availability of resources, local conditions/environment, etc., can lead to the development of optimised risk management systems for improved project performance.

• Investigating the risk management systems of the construction industry/automobile Industry/pharma Industry/banking Industry / retail Industry
• Risk management in the construction industry: How the construction industry can mitigate different types of risks
• Analyses of factors that contribute to risk in industrial operations; Developing guidelines/best practices to manage industrial risks
• Risk management and the use of advanced technological tools: Is technology really helping to mitigate risks? (This may include the Use of primary data to find out if the use of computer-aided tools has helped the industry mitigate risks)
• Risk management methodologies: A review of different methods of risk management employed in the UK
• Risk Management for Contractors in the Saudi Arabian Construction Industry
• Examining risks associated with Green technology in the Chinese construction industry
• Managing Environmental risks in Chinese construction industry

Service Design Dissertation Topics

The efficient management of infrastructures, communications systems, components, materials, and human resources holds the key to improved quality of services. Therefore, it is extremely important to optimise service planning because it can ensure profitability as well as productivity for the service provider. Following are some service design dissertation topics that may concern the students;

• The impact of future technology on service design
• Service design analyses of Dell/HP/Other
• Service design analyses of the UK’s food chain Industry
• E-commerce web services design and implications
• Service organisation’s fundamental design requirements & marketing strategies
• Innovative solutions in service design

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Logistics Dissertation Topics

Logistics is a critical operations management system that helps to manage the flow of goods or services from start to end. Logistics involves operations such as supply chain management, procurement, transportation, inventory, material handling, packaging, and integration of information between different teams. Some interesting topics for Logistics dissertations are listed below:

• Logistics operations: An evaluation of the logistics management systems in the UK’s construction/manufacturing / another sector of your choice
• Impact of intermodal international logistics on the operation of the UK’s construction/manufacturing / another sector of your choice
• Review of logistic management principles and practices employed by the UK‘s industrial sector
• Optimization of logistics management systems; A review of best practices and procedures
• Case study analyses: A review of the Logistics Management in TESCO/ASDA/Sainsbury/Other; Is there a competitive advantage?
• Impact of the latest technology on logistics management

Other Popular Topics in Operations Management

• Analyses of different methods of procurement systems
• The Role of government in the development of sustainable operations management
• The key to Success: Analyses of vision 2030 and vision 2050 with respect to operations management practices of the future
• Comparison of operations management techniques used in both developed and developing countries; Lesson learnt from the past
• The role of operations management in the successful completion of projects
• How BIM has influenced the modern operations management systems in the construction industry

Important Notes:

As a student of operations management looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing operations management theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

The field of operations management is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like business , management , marketing , project management , and more. That is why it is imperative to create an operations management dissertation topic that is particular and sound and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong: your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in a cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

Keeping our advice in mind while developing a research topic will allow you to pick one of the best operations management dissertation topics that not only fulfill your requirement of writing a research paper but also add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and can also be practically implemented. Take a look at some of our sample operations management dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure Your Operations Management Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

• A Title Page
• Acknowledgements
• Declaration
• Abstract: A summary of the research completed
• Table of Contents
• Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems to be addressed. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
• Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic in light of the research questions to be addressed. The purpose is to highlight and discuss the relative weaknesses and strengths of the selected research area whilst identifying any research gaps. A breakdown of the topic and key terms can have a positive impact on your dissertation and your tutor.
• Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
• Findings and Analysis : The findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
• Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section of the paper is to draw a linkage between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regard to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
• References : This should be completed in accordance with your University’s requirements
• Bibliography
• Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, or graphs that were used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to find dissertation topics about operations management.

To find operations management dissertation topics:

• Study recent industry challenges.
• Investigate supply chain innovations.
• Examine technology’s impact.
• Explore lean management strategies.
• Analyse sustainability in operations.
• Select a topic aligning with your expertise and research interests.

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Tepper School of Business

Ph.D. Program in Operations Research

The ph.d. program in operations research stresses optimization techniques leading to decision-making algorithms and the development of new models for management science applications..

The Tepper School's doctoral program in operations research (OR) is designed to encourage students to make contributions toward basic scientific knowledge in the area. This knowledge can take several forms including:

• The derivations of fundamental results of an analytical or mathematical nature that lead to the development of algorithms for aiding decision-making
• The development of new analytical models appropriate for management science applications in areas such as Marketing, Operations, and Finance
• Controlled experimentation that leads to empirical results that make efficiency comparisons possible among algorithms

A major goal of the program is to train students to recognize operations research problems in real-world situations, and to give them the opportunity to learn about the deployment of operations research models in one or more of these substantive areas. Towards this goal, the program provides the opportunity to develop knowledge of functional areas of business to which optimization can be applied such as Marketing, Operations and Finance. There is a rich tradition of graduates from the program going on to successful careers in these areas both in academia (in business schools, engineering schools in IE and OR departments as well as in Math and Computer Science departments) and industry. 

Course of Study

The basic operations research courses offered include: linear, nonlinear, integer and dynamic programming; graph theory and network optimization; convex optimization and convex analysis; and stochastic models. Each course is taught by a faculty member who is actively pursuing research in the subject area. Since classes are usually small, students frequently meet informally with their instructors. The third semester competence examination is based on the areas covered in these courses.

The research papers assigned for the first and second summers of graduate study are designed to give students an early introduction to research work. The paper may be done individually or jointly with other students or faculty members. Easy interaction in the Tepper School with researchers in the other areas of business and economics and in such related areas as computer science, machine learning, and statistics encourages the application of operations research in imaginative new directions.

In many cases, work on these papers leads to the work on the Ph.D. dissertation, which can begin as soon as the student has passed the third-semester qualifying examination.

Almost invariably, by the end of their second year, if not earlier, students have already worked on professional problems with some of the faculty. For this reason, student working papers written in collaboration with a faculty member are common.

Our History

Carnegie Mellon has pioneered several important developments in both theoretical and applied operations research. Geometric programming, chance constrained programming, and the applications of linear programming to capital budgeting and cost management were among the accomplishments of the '50s and early '60s. Since 1968, when the doctoral program in operations research was started, the Tepper School has initiated several new developments in integer and nonconvex programming, enumerative methods, cutting plane theory, disjunctive programming, constraint programming, network design, algorithm design, machine learning, data mining, and scheduling models.  

Recently, the group has pioneered advances in Approximation Algorithms for Network Design, as well as theory and applications of Modern Convex Optimization. Examples on the Selected Research Topics page illustrate the basic research currently in progress, and examples of new operations research applications can be found elsewhere on the Doctoral Program website.

Research Topics

• Mixed-Integer Programming
• Convex Optimization
• Benders Decomposition
• Branch and Price
• Approximation and Online Algorithms
• Network Design
• Analytical Models in Marketing and Operations
• Connections with Artificial Intelligence
• Interplay between Estimation and Optimization
• Bayesian Optimization
• Massively Distributed and Parallel Algorithm Design
• Machine Learning
• Cultural Factors
• Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Many of our students are very active in the Carnegie Mellon INFORMS Student Chapter . To learn about the joint PhD program in Algorithms, Combinatorics and Optimization, please visit the webpage http://aco.math.cmu.edu/

P lease visit our Ph.D. Student Profiles page t o view the profiles of our current doctoral candidates.

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New Research Interest – Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Ethics and AI is an emerging research interest among faculty members in Operations Research and Ethics. Research topics include algorithmic bias, models of equity and efficiency, machine ethics, and OR/AI for the common good. Given the importance and timeliness of this topic, Tepper faculty members have submitted a grant proposal to the National Science Foundation to support research in this domain.

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As a doctoral student in management science and operations management at Chicago Booth, you will leverage mathematics and computer methods to generate research that helps managers develop better systems and make better decisions.

The Management Science and Operations Management PhD Program applies the underlying methodologies of management science to deal with problems of developing, producing, and delivering goods and services.

In collaboration with faculty who are recognized leaders in their fields, you’ll use rigorous research methods and theory to help guide organizations to better outcomes.

Our Distinguished Management Science and Operations Management Faculty

Chicago Booth faculty in management science and operations management conduct pioneering work with lasting impact. As a doctoral student here, you’ll gain from their knowledge and experience through advising, mentorship, and research collaboration.

Dan Adelman

Charles I. Clough, Jr. Professor of Operations Management

Sigmund E. Edelstone Distinguished Service Professor of Operations Management

John R. Birge

Hobart W. Williams Distinguished Service Professor of Operations Management

Rene Caldentey

Eli B. and Harriet B. Williams Professor of Operations Management

Ozan Candogan

Professor of Operations Management

Levi DeValve

Assistant Professor of Operations Management

Donald D. Eisenstein

Rad Niazadeh

Assistant Professor of Operations Management and Asness Junior Faculty Fellow

Rothman Family Professor of Operations Management and Charles M. Harper Faculty Fellow

Associate Professor of Operations Management

A Network of Support

Chicago Booth is home to several research centers that offer research funding to PhD students. They also bring together a network of like-minded scholars who guide and support our students in their research.

Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation Chicago Booth’s destination for people committed to tackling social and environmental problems, the Rustandy Center supports the work of PhD students and others who are focused on transforming the social sector.

Scholarly Publications

Chicago Booth is home to some of the world’s most prestigious business and economic journals. Today, the school is responsible for the management of three high-impact journals , while four others were founded at Booth.

Alumni Success

Our alumni have gone on to successful careers  in academia and industry.

S. Alex Yang, MBA ’10, PhD ’10

Associate Professor of Management Science and Operations London Business School S. Alex Yang’s main research focus is on how operational and financial decisions are coordinated within value chains. His other research interests include fintech, value chain management, and platform economy. His PhD is in management science and operations management.

Spotlight on Research

Faculty and student research in management science and operations management is regularly highlighted in Chicago Booth Review .

Amy R. Ward Says Customers Are Getting Impatient

In this digital age, customers expect what they want when they want it. Chicago Booth’s Amy R. Ward explores ways business can provide that.

Dan Adelman Says Health Care Has a Data Opportunity

The Charles I. Clough Jr. Professor of Operations Management explains why health care is behind in data analytics, and why it’s poised to improve.

How Bookies Can Outwit Smart Bettors

Chicago Booth’s John R. Birge and Booth PhD candidate Yifan Feng identified a set of policies that enables bookies to strike a balance between learning from market participants and bluff-proofing their business.

The PhD Experience at Booth

For Vishal Ahuja, PhD ’13, a key strength of the Chicago Booth community is its interdisciplinary nature.

Video Transcript

Vishal Ahuja '13: 00:03 I find one of the strengths of University of Chicago is the interdisciplinary nature of the work, and then as long as you've got ideas people like to work together. I started getting interested in health care after I took a course in public policy. My research deals with clinical trials. What we are trying to do is to improve the way trials are conducted. As patients come in and are allocated one to the treatment arm and one to the placebos. Now, let's say after a year you find that one treatment in particular is doing extremely well, which means great patient outcomes. On the other, it's just bad.

Vishal Ahuja '13: 00:40 Wouldn't you want to allocate the patients on the bad arm to the better arm? The problem is that if you find out after a year that one arm is better than the other, or one treatment is better than the placebo, or the generic, you can't stop, because otherwise that you're violating the protocol. There has to be a scientific protocol that says, if this, this, this, and this happens, then do this. If eight out of 10 patients see success, and four out of 10 on B don't see success, then allocate one patient, move one patient from B to A. There has to be a scientific, what I call a policy, that the FDA is aware of, and is building the protocol.

Vishal Ahuja '13: 01:15 The fundamental idea is being adaptive about how you allocate patients, but do so in a scientific way, and when there are multiple patients present. My dissertation committee was very much interdisciplinary in nature, one from economics, three from operations and one for Pittsburgh School of Medicine. And I think I benefited a lot from having that interdisciplinary committee. I find that medical community is much more amenable to these kinds of methodologies and the ways of addressing the problem. What I find is that we're missing that language barrier where we think we're doing this great work and they think these guys are just doing some work that's not applicable. So fighting that communication barrier, I think, is the key. And you get to appreciate how some of the work that Booth students do, including myself, it could potentially impact patient lives.

Current Management Science and Operations Management Students

Chicago Booth is a top destination for students interested in management science and operations management. They come from all over the world to work with faculty whose work has had an impact on the way industry professionals, government leaders, and scholars conduct business.

Current Students

Mohammad Reza Aminian

Jayoung Byun

Tongqing (Angelina) Chen

Farbod Ekbatani Feiyu Han

Lisa Hillas

Ebru Kasikaralar

Cagla Keceli Chun Li

Robert Montgomery

Emin Ozyoruk

Fabricio Previgliano

Tingrui Shi

Dilara Sonmez

Duygu Soylemez

Maximiliano Stock

Gulin Tuzcuoglu

Gorkem Unlu

Jose Velarde Morales

Yaqi Xie Angela (Jingyuan) Yang

Yucel Naz Yetimoglu

Zhiqiang Zhang

Yueyang Zhong

Program Expectations and Requirements

The Stevens Doctoral Program at Chicago Booth is a full-time program. Students generally complete the majority of coursework and examination requirements within the first two years of studies and begin work on their dissertation during the third year. For details, see General Examination Requirements by Area in the Stevens Program Guidebook below.

Download the 2023-2024 Guidebook!

Department of Technology, Operations, and Statistics | Doctoral Program in Operations Management

Doctoral program in operations management.

Overview of the OM Doctoral Program

• Program Requirements
• S ample 5-year Schedule
• Recent Doctoral Courses Offered

Mission To educate and train scholars capable of producing high quality operations management research and to place our graduates as faculty members in top-tier universities. Admissions and performance We enroll an average of two students per year out of many highly qualified applicants. Students admitted typically have GRE scores over 310 with scores in the quantitative section of the GRE exam in the 90th percentile or higher. International students typically have TOEFL scores of 600 or higher. Our students are highly competitive with their peers globally and give talks and invited presentations at national and international conferences. Advising and evaluation The operations management doctoral program coordinator advises all first-year doctoral students. During their first year, students have many opportunities to learn the research interests of departmental faculty by taking classes, attending seminars and enrolling in research practica.  By the beginning of their second year, students will typically have selected an advisor who begins to introduce them to potential research topics. By the middle of their third year, students will have selected a thesis advisor. Each year, every student’s academic progress is reviewed and plans for the following year are considered.  This review includes a formal letter to the student assessing the previous year's work and offering guidance for the following year's work.  All students take a comprehensive written and oral exam during their second year in the program.  Students are expected to defend their thesis proposal by March of their fourth year and students typically defend their completed dissertation at the end of their fourth year or during their fifth year. Research and interaction with faculty Stern's operations management group has historically included faculty with strong operations management and operations research backgrounds. These two disciplines, along with statistics, data science, economics and computer science, continue to have a significant influence on the teaching and research directions of the operations management faculty. In today's business environment, there is a strong interest in using operations to provide a competitive advantage to organizations. Doctoral students in operations management take core courses in optimization theory, stochastic processes, and data science. A wide range of electives based on faculty expertise are offered including inventory theory, game theory, service operations, assortment optimization, supply chain finance and more. Students are also encouraged either to assist faculty members who are actively working with firms or to develop first-hand expertise through individual contacts with industrial organizations. The faculty members focus their research on current and emerging themes in managing operations in today's fast changing economy. They use a combination of analytical, empirical and theory building methodologies to understand: how to design operating systems, contracts and quality systems for the management of decentralized supply chains; best practices in retailing; vehicle routing; call center management; task and workforce scheduling; internet business models and strategies; and how to forecast new product sales. Faculty members hold editorial positions on numerous journals and are active in the major societies such as the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science. As a result of Stern's New York City location, the school and its operations management faculty have strong ties with the world's technology and financial organizations as well as chemical, computer, consumer goods and pharmaceutical companies in the tri-state area. Click on the links on the right to learn how to apply, to attend an information session, and to contact the Stern School Doctoral Office. Wenqiang Xiao Coordinator, Operations Management Doctoral Program TOPS Department

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Program Requirements Doctoral students in operations management are expected to achieve expertise in the areas of operations management and operations research. All students in the NYU Stern doctoral program must demonstrate competence in probability, statistics and microeconomics either through courses taken in a prior degree program or by taking a similar course offered at NYU. As part of the operations management doctoral curriculum, students must also take 3 methodological core courses in the areas of optimization, stochastic processes and data science.  After completing their course requirements, students may enroll in elective courses relevant to their chosen field of research. Recent PhD electives offered by the operations management group include

• Pricing in the Sharing Economy
• Stochastic Inventory Theory
• Supply Chain Finance
• Service Operations Management
• Game Theory
• Choice Models in Operations
• Applied Game Theory

In addition to required coursework, doctoral students must complete 5 research practica prior to graduation. Each research practicum is a 1 credit course graded Pass or Fail in which students work closely with a faculty member to conduct joint research. By working closely with faculty members, students are expected to develop their own independent research skills. After their core coursework is complete, students are required to take written and oral comprehensive exams before October 1st of their third year. Students must also complete a teaching practicum in their third year of studies during which they assist a faculty member in their class preparation. Students are expected to complete their thesis proposal by March of their 4th year and the doctoral program concludes with the proposal, writing and defense of a dissertation. All students are required to complete the doctoral program within six years, however most students graduate within 5 years. A sample 5-year schedule is given below.

Sample 5-year Schedule

Recent Doctoral Courses Offered OPMG-GB.3321.P1 Stochastic Processes OPMG-GB.3392.P1 Pricing in the Sharing Economy OPMG-GB.4317.01 Stochastic Inventory Theory OPMG-GB.4334.01 Convex Optimization OPMG-GB.4313.20 Supply Chain Finance OPMG-GB.4331.20 Service Operations Management OPMG-GB.4306.01 Dynamic Programming OPMG-GB.4321.20 Choice Models in Operations OPMG-GB.4330.01 Linear Programming OPMG-GB.4340.02 Applied Game Theory

Questions about the PhD Program in Operations Management?

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Operations Research

Operations research is the application of scientific and especially mathematical methods to the study and analysis of problems involving complex systems. 

PhD and MS students interested in Operations Research apply methods such as mathematical programming, stochastic modeling, and discrete-event simulation to the solution of problems in complex systems such as logistics, supply chain optimization, long-range planning, energy and environmental systems, urban and health systems, and manufacturing.

ISE faculty and students conduct OR funded by such agencies as the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Department of Homeland Security , the Department of Transportation and the National Institute of Justice, as well as national and local corporations and foundations such as United Airlines, Praxair, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and the Fire Protection Research Foundation. We often work in teams with faculty and students with research interests in manufacturing, production systems and human factors to solve problems beyond the expertise of any single discipline.

We have an active student body - in fact, UB hosts one of the founding chapters of Omega Rho, the National Operations Research Honor Society. Students are also active participants in the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).

Graduating students regularly take positions in national and international corporations, academic institutions and research laboratories. 

Courses Required for OR PhD Research

ISE PhD students who wish to conduct dissertation research in the area of Operations Research should complete (at a minimum) the following courses:

• IE 572 Linear Programming
• IE 573 Discrete Optimization
• IE 575 Stochastic Methods
• IE 576 Applied Stochastic Processes
• IE 5xx/6xx Operations Research/IE Elective
• IE 555 Programming for Analytics (Must be completed within the first two years of the program) 

OR Courses for the Qualifying (B) Exam

The Operations Research core qualifying exam questions are the following:

• IE 5xx or 6xx Operations Research/IE Elective 

Course Required for OR MS Research

• IE 576 Applied Stochastic Processes.
• In addition, students are required to take two additional IE courses in Operations Research, as approved by the faculty. 

Fall Admission

• February 15: Full consideration
• We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Spring Admission

• October 1:  Full consideration

Our ISE graduate program ranks 14th across public universities, according to the 2023 U.S. News & World Report graduate program rankings.

Research Themes

Operations Research Center

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Research activities.

At the ORC, we believe that research can change the world. Correspondingly, research is the key  component of our program.  The ORC  provides students with exciting opportunities to explore a diverse array of applications and methodologies in operations research and analytics. Our students start working in research from day one, a distinguishing chracteristic of the ORC education. 

Recent research topics include:

• approximation algorithms
• discrete, continuous, convex, robust, stochastic optimization
• ground and air transportation
• health care
• health care analytics
• machine learning and its interface with optimization
• online algorithms
• personalized medicine
• pricing and revenue management
• social networks
• stochastic modeling
• supply chain management

Research activities range from one-on-one projects involving a single faculty member and student, to much larger programs involving teams of faculty and students. Regardless of their scope, all of our projects aim to have real-world impact.

Fields that our research contributes to include:

• engineering
• service industry
• transportation

Whether working in the ORC’s newly renovated, open workspace or one of MIT’s world-class research labs, you’ll be equipped with the latest technology and collaborative spirit you need to succeed—and to make valuable contributions to our field and the world..

Additional Research Activities

In order to inspire and challenge the research of our members, the ORC continually engages with the national and international OR community through the following:

• participation in the Sloan School of Management Operations Management Workshop, which invites faculty and students to present their current research each week throughout the academic year
• reading seminars, in which MIT students and faculty review and present summaries of current research papers on advanced study topics not covered in other courses
• seminar presentations by faculty and scientists from public and private institutions as well as other universities
• seminar series, in which prominent OR professionals from around the world present topics in operations research
• the appointment of visiting scientists

ORC Research

Research is the key currency at the ORC and is a principle way in which the ORC achives its mission.

Operations Management

Effective solutions for complex business problems..

The operations of a firm involve acquiring productive resources and the configuration of a productive system, then utilizing them to produce goods and services. The decisions at every level are complex. Operations Management helps to deliver solutions for even the most challenging business decision.

Making tough business decisions demands both realistic modeling of these decision problems and knowledge of the development of new theory and techniques. Our program stresses a balanced approach to the subject while familiarizing you with the latest methodologies. Students are expected to understand the real context within which operational decisions are made, and to develop skills in modeling these problems. The emphasis is on the study of complex, large- scale systems needing integrated solutions.

• Meet Ops Mgmt Faculty

Prepare with Math Camp.

Program outline: operations management, the first year.

The first year is designed to provide you with solid training in mathematical programming and probabilistic modeling. You’ll also build your analytic and research skills while exploring basic issues faced by operations mangers. Students are expected to achieve an A- or better in five required courses, and achieve a B+ in all other courses; this serves as the Preliminary Requirement. Students will begin pursuing research during the summer of their first year, choosing two research questions by the end of the spring term. By August 31, students should deliver initial drafts of the papers addressing these questions. The initial drafts will be evaluated and successful completion of the initial drafts requirement will constitute passing the First-Year Paper.

The Second Year

The second year is novel for doctoral programs in operations management. Students work on two individual research topics in conjunction with the faculty. These papers provide the bridge from class work to research. These papers are due by May 31 of the second year, successful completion of this paper constitutes passing the Second Year Papers in Operations Management. In addition, students will gain depth in the Operations Management courses and seminars. Students are also required to write a Qualifying Exam paper, due by November 30 of the third year. This paper is usually a more in-depth version of one of the papers used for the second-year papers.

The Third Year and Beyond

Students continue to take PhD seminars in OMG and should complete all the minor requirements. The students must work with faculty advisors to determine additional courses that might be beneficial to their training.

Required Courses.

The Course Catalog contains degree requirements and course descriptions. Please refer the Simon Registrar's website for the current Course Catalog. Classes occur in the Simon Business School and also in closely related areas including the University of Rochester Economics Department and the Computer Science Department.

Simon Registrar

Course Catalog

PhD Operations Management Courses

The course provides an introduction to stochastic processes. Topics include the Poisson process, renewal theory, Markov chains, semi-Markov and Markov renewal processes, and regenerative processes.

This course will study advanced topics in stochastic processes, with emphasis on problem modeling and computation. The following topics will be covered: models using discrete time Markov chains, optimal stopping and discrete time Markov chains, models using continuous time Markov chains, Markov decision processes for discrete time Markov chains, and if time permits, diffusion processes/martingales.

This course introduces students to research areas in Computers and Information Systems (CIS) and Operations Management (OM). Multiple lectures will be dedicated to each topic, covering the necessary mathematical background, primary analysis techniques, and important, seminal, or recent papers within each area. The course aims to attain the following objectives: learn about what constitutes research in CIS and OM, develop critical thinking about academic papers, familiarize students with new research areas, provide opportunity to think about new research problems, and practice constructing and delivering academic talks.

This course introduces unconstrained and constrained optimization in finite dimensional spaces. Topics include convex sets and functions, Kuhn-Tucker theory, Lagrangian duality, parametric continuity, dynamic programming, and parametric monotonicity.

Prerequisite: Some knowledge of linear algebra and functions of a real variable

Prerequisite: Linear Algebra and functions of a real variable

PhD in Business program track Operations Research

The Operations Research (OR) group aims at conducting cutting-edge research in deterministic OR research, stochastic OR, and game theory. The focus of the program is on fundamental theoretical research for improving the quality of decision making in business.

The members of the OR-research group have been educated in disciplines such operations research, mathematics, computer science, data science and machine learning, and econometrics. They apply their methods to a wide range of areas: logistics and transport, energy transition, environmental issues, information systems, finance and accounting, healthcare, and network structures. Another important application field are the research topics investigated by the Zero Hunger Lab (ZHL).

Research field

Deterministic or.

The research area of deterministic OR includes research on polynomial optimization, semidefinite programming, graph theory, discrete and continuous optimization and optimal control. It includes the development of fast algorithms and procedures in a wide range of optimization problems. Applications include travelling salesman problems, food supply chain optimization, healthcare treatment, network design, and scheduling problems.

Stochastic OR

A common feature in stochastic OR is the presence of uncertainty. Research methods in this field originate from probability theory, Markov chains, simulation, stochastic control theory, and real options.

Robust optimization is a specialized technique to find optimal solutions that are robust against uncertainties in the underlying data. Applications include big data, food supply optimization, radiotherapy optimization and dike height optimization.

Game Theory

Solutions of optimization problems typically involve coordinated behavior and cooperation between several actors or players. To establish and maintain stable cooperation, game theoretic techniques construct adequate strategic incentives and/or allocation mechanisms to share the jointly generated revenues or cost savings. Applications include scheduling and vehicle routing problems, network congestion problems, financial networks, joint investment decisions, and energy transition.

PhD research projects can take place within any of these research fields.

First year PhD development program for a PhD in Operations Research

For each PhD student in Operations Research a tailor-made PhD Development Plan (DP) will be composed at the start of the 4-year PhD period by the PhD student and the OR Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC).

A DP will consist of three parts: coursework (36 ECTS), soft skills development like scientific integrity, academic writing, or teaching skills (3 ECTS), and a research proposal or first paper, as part of the research training by the supervisors (9 ECTS). The coursework will typically contain the following elements:

• The 6 ECTS course Orientation Research Topics in OR (230326-M-6).
• A selection of PhD courses offered by the Dutch Network on the Mathematics of OR (LNMB). For more information, see: www.lnmb.nl .
• A selection of at most 15 ECTS of Master courses offered by the LNMB or the Master courses offered by the joint program in Mathematics of the Dutch universities (Mastermath). For more information, see www.lnmb.nl and https://elo.mastermath.nl .
• A selection of Master courses offered by the Tilburg University MSc program in Business Analytics and Operations Research (BAOR). For more information on these courses, please visit the  Master's program Business Analytics and Operations Research .
• In individual cases, a selection of Master or Research Master courses from programs at Tilburg University.  

All DPs should be approved by the GPC and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) as integral part of the individual Training and Supervision Plan (TSP) within the PhD tracking system Hora Finita.

After the first year, there is a formal GO/NO GO decision.

Placement records

During the past ten years, on average 3 PhD students started the PhD program each year. They all successfully defended their PhD thesis. About 50% of these students came from outside the Netherlands. Two out three remained with academia, mainly in postdoc positions, assistant professorships or lecturer positions at institutes like CWI, Maastricht University and Eindhoven University within the Netherlands, and Harvard Medical School, Clemson University, and Technion Israel Institute of Technology outside the Netherlands.  About one out of three has chosen for a professional position as for example scientific analyst or consultant at TNO or CQM. 

To get some further impression, please have a look at the personal websites of three former PhD students:

• Hao Hu : Hao defended his PhD thesis on semidefinite programming and combinatorial optimization in 2019 and currently is an assistant professor at Clemson University, United States of America after  a two-year postdoc position at Waterloo University, Canada:  personal website Hao Hu
•  Bas Dietzenbacher : Bas defended his PhD thesis on game theory in 2018 and currently is an assistant professor at Maastricht University after a two-year postdoc position at HSE University in Saint Petersburg, Russia:  personal website Bas Dietzenbacher
• Frans de Ruiter : Frans defended his PhD thesis on robust optimization cum laude in 2018 and currently is a decision scientist at CQM (Consultants in Quantitative Methods) in Eindhoven:  personal website Frans de Ruiter

Key publications

View recent publications of the operations research group

Meet the faculty of the operations research group and their research interests

Graduate Program Coordinator PhD in Business – track Operations Research

Prof. dr. peter borm.

Full Professor

TiSEM: Tilburg School of Economics and Management TiSEM: Department of Econometrics and Operations Research

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A doctoral degree in Operations Management from the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business provides the unique experience and expertise needed to excel in an academic career. We are a top-ranked program with an exceptional record of research publications and an excellent history of Ph.D. student placement.

Our sizable and prominent faculty are dedicated to educating the next generation of researchers and educators on a broad set of topics. We conduct pioneering research in various areas such as empirical analysis of supply chain performance, innovation and technology management, sustainable operations, healthcare, and cultural operations. Beyond holding key editorial positions in leading operations management journals, our faculty work closely with industry, applying their research to impact practice.

Program Highlights

Our Ph.D. curriculum distinguishes us from other doctoral programs in operations management in several ways.

• First, we leverage the substantial size of our faculty to offer unparalleled breadth and depth in operations management Ph.D. seminars (two to four topics are covered each year).
• Second, we strongly endorse diverse research methods including modeling, empirical analysis, and behavioral experiments to address different managerial challenges in operations management. Rigorous training on a variety of operations research methods is obtained from ISyE (ranked No.1 industrial engineering program in the world).
• Additionally, we leverage the expertise of other Georgia Tech faculty offering courses on a wide spectrum of empirical, behavioral, and computational methods..

Facilitating Ph.D. Student Academic Growth

Ph.D. students are immersed in research starting in the first year of the doctoral program, accelerating their growth as scholars. Students are encouraged to develop their own research “voice”, leveraging their background, academic training, and past experiences.

Our culture embodies freedom and flexibility for students to select their research topics and advisors. To ensure focus and forward momentum, faculty engage with Ph.D. students on goal setting and provide clear direction for students to attain those goals.

In addition to one-to-one mentoring, we offer teaching effectiveness seminars. Ph.D. students are provided funding to attend conferences and workshops and funding is guaranteed for five years (subject to a student remaining in good standing).

Our Vibrant Community

The operations management Ph.D. program is a close-knit group that invests in community building and professional development. Ph.D. students thrive in the vibrant social and cultural communities at Georgia Tech and the Atlanta metropolitan area. Additionally, Georgia Tech has a large and diverse graduate student community. Atlanta has a very favorable cost of living compared to many other large metropolitan areas.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion    Tech Square and Atlanta

Ph.d. placements.

We welcome Ph.D. students from diverse backgrounds and career stages. Recent Ph.D. students have benefited from their work experience in consulting, manufacturing, engineering, product development, and the military. Additionally, Ph.D. students who enter the program without prior work experience have leveraged the industry experience and connections provided by our faculty. Some of our Ph.D. graduates, their current academic positions, and interests include the following.

• Vishal Agrawal, Ph.D. '10, Associate Professor at Georgetown University, where his areas of expertise include managerial challenges at the interface of business and the environment, as well as the effect of consumer behavior on operations and new product development
• Jennifer Bailey, Ph.D. '13, Assistant Professor at Babson College, where her areas of expertise include how innovative and entrepreneurial firms manage risk and uncertainty
• Marcus Bellamy , Ph.D. '15, Assistant Professor at Boston University, where his areas of expertise include empirical examination of supply chain management and innovation as well as supply network risk, network analytics, and visualization
• Ioannis Bellos , Ph.D. '12, Assistant Professor at George Mason University, where his areas of expertise are sustainable operations, service design, and innovation in business models
• Janice Carrillo , Ph.D. '97, PricewaterhouseCoopers Professor at the Warrington College of Business, University of Florida, where her areas of expertise include new product and process development, innovation, sustainability, and technology management.
• Raul Chao,  Ph.D. '07, Associate Professor at the Darden School, University of Virginia, where his areas of expertise include organization design and incentives in innovation, NPD and R&D.
• Sanjeev Erat , Ph.D. '06, Associate Professor at University of California - San Diego, where his areas of expertise are co-development and licensing in new product development and technology management.
• Wayne Fu , Ph.D. '17, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan - Dearborn, where his areas of expertise include supply chain management and sustainable operations.
• Jeremy Hutchison-Krupat , Ph.D. '11, Assistant Professor at the Darden School, University of Virginia, where his areas of expertise include the effective implementation of a firm's innovation strategy .
• Ximin (Natalie) Huang , Ph.D. '16, Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, where her areas of expertise include supply chain management and sustainable operations.
• Brian Jacobs , Ph.D. '09, Associate Professor at Michigan State University, where his areas of expertise include sustainability and environmental operations, financial/market value of operations strategies, and process improvement strategies.
• JJ Kovach , Ph.D. '14, Assistant Professor at Texas Christian University, where his areas of expertise include innovation, environmental operations, and operations strategy.
• Jaeseok Lee , Ph.D. under completion, Assistant Professor at University of Auckland (New Zealand), where his area of expertise is knowledge outsourcing and knowledge competition.
• Nektarios Oraiopoulos , Ph.D. '09, University Lecturer (Assistant Professor) at Judge Business School, Cambridge University, where his areas of expertise include group decision-making and collaboration in technology, and R&D management.
• Gulru Ozkan-Seely , Ph.D. '08, Assistant Professor at University of Washington-Bothell, where her area of expertise includes knowledge management, competition, and new product development.
• Carrie Queenan , Ph.D. '07, Assistant Professor at University of South Carolina, where her area of expertise is health care operations and the use of technical systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Narendra Singh , Ph.D. '15, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Indian School of Business, where his areas of expertise include new product development and sustainability.
• Wenli Xiao , Ph.D. '12, Assistant Professor at University of San Diego, where her areas of expertise include knowledge management, new product development, sustainability, and manufacturing outsourcing.

Research Areas of Excellence

Empirical Analysis of Supply Chain Performance

Specific topics include contracts and global outsourcing; managing risk and failure; alliances; revenue management. Faculty who most contribute to this area include Soumen Ghosh, Manpreet Hora, and Vinod Singhal.

Innovation and Technology Management

Specific topics include new product development; collaboration and teamwork; entrepreneurship. Faculty who most contribute to this area include Cheryl Gaimon, Karthik Ramachandran, and Morvarid Rahmani.

Sustainable Operations

Specific topics include closed-loop supply chain management, corporate sustainability, and environmental legislation. Faculty who most contribute to this area of research include Ravi Subramanian, Basak Kalkanci, and Beril Toktay.

Faculty Editorial Positions

Current department editorships.

• Beril Toktay (Environment, Energy and Sustainability Department)
• Cheryl Gaimon (Management of Technology Department)
• Vinod Singhal (Supply Chain Management Department)
• Ravi Subramanian (Sustainable Operations Department)

Current Associate (Senior) Editorships

Manpreet Hora

• Cheryl Gaimon (Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department)
• Vinod Singhal (Operations Management Department)

Vinod Singhal

Beril Toktay

• Soumen Ghosh (Empirical Research Department)
• Manpreet Hora (Management of Technology Department; Supply Chain Management Department)
• Karthik Ramachandran (Management of Technology Department)

Honors, Awards, and Professional Society Positions

• Scheller College of Business’ Ashford Watson Stalnaker Memorial Award for Ph.D. Student Excellence
• Best Paper Award, Product Development and Management Association Annual Conference
• Best Dissertation Award Finalist: “Synchronizing Exploration and Exploitation: Knowledge Creation Challenges in Innovation,” Technology, Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship Section, Institute of Operations Research and Management Science
• Best Student Paper Award, Academy of Management Conference, Orlando, Florida
• Best Student Paper Award at International Decision Sciences Institute Annual Conference, Bali, Indonesia
• Young Researcher Prize, Runner Up (Second Place) for the "The Potential of Servicizing as a Green Business Model,'' Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment Section, Institute of Operations Research and Management Science

Janice Carrillo (Ph.D.)

• Intel Ph.D. Student Fellowship
• Best Student Paper Award, Portland International Conference on Management and Engineering Technology
• Brady Family Award for Faculty Research Excellence
• University Faculty Research Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Advisor, Georgia Tech
• Distinguished Fellow, Production and Operations Management Society
• President, Production and Operations Management Society
• Distinguished Fellow, Decision Sciences Institute
• Brady Family Award for Faculty Teaching Effectiveness
• Class of 1940 W. Roane Beard Outstanding Teaching Award
• Undergraduate Elective Professor of the Year Award and Class of 1934 Course Survey Teaching Effectiveness Award
• Division Chair Elect, Academy of Management Operations and Supply Chain Management Division
• Ashford Watson Stalkner Memorial Prize, Georgia Tech
• Runner-up, Sustainable Operations Student Paper Competition, Production and Operations Management Society
• Georgia Power Professor of Excellence
• Treasurer, Behavioral Operations Section, Institute of Operations Research and Management Science
• Chan Hahn Best Paper Award, Operations Management Division, Academy of Management Conference, Orlando, Florida
• Finalist Best Student Paper Competition, “Sales Force Compensation for Remanufactured Products,” Energy, Natural Resources, and the Environment Section, Institute of Operations Research and Management Science

Carrie Queenan (Ph.D.)

• POMS College of Service Operations Most Influential Paper Award
• Paul Kleindorfer Award in Sustainability
• Brady Family Award for Faculty Teaching Excellence
• James F. Frazier, Jr. Award for Teaching Excellence
• Outstanding MBA Core Professor of the Year Award
• Best Paper Competition Winner, Public Sector Operations Research Section, Institute of Operations Research and Management Science
• Ernest Scheller Jr. Award for Service Excellence
• Women of Distinction Award, Georgia Tech
• Management Science Best Paper in Operations Management
• Distinguished Fellow, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, Institute of Operations Research and Management Science
• President, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management Society
• Treasurer, Production and Operations Management Society

Murat Unal   (Ph.D.)

• One of the two finalists, POMS College of Product Innovation and Technology Management 2017 Student Paper Competition, "Help or hindrance? The role of familiarity in collaborative product development"

Faculty Academic, Industry, and Media Recognition

Cheryl Gaimon

• Keynote Plenary, 4th International Conference of Operations and Supply Chain Management, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China
• “ Brand Recovering Consumer Confidence "
• “ Shortening the Time Line for a Recall ” 
• “ Customer Service Gets the B-School Treatment ”

Basak Kalkanci

• " The Greening of the Supply Chain "
• "Supply Chain News: CSCMP 2012 Full Review and Comment " Dan Gilmore (10-5-12)
• Keynote Plenary, 30th National Congress on Operational Research and Industrial Engineering, Sabanci University, Turkey
• Keynote Plenary, Electronic News, Seoul, Korea
• Keynote Plenary, 3rd International Conference in Operations and Supply Chain Management, Wuhan, China
• Keynote Plenary, Symposium on Innovations and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
• Based on the Supply Chain Management Journal List ranking of journals that are primarily analytically-focused, Georgia Institute of Technology is ranked No. 6 worldwide.
• Based on the U.S. News & World Report MBA rankings , the Scheller College of Business has been ranked No. 6 in production/operations. 

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Operations Management Dissertation Topics

Choosing a great topic for your graduate, master or doctoral dissertation can often feel more challenging than actually undertaking the study. Knowing that the time spent on this work, which may be months, or in some cases years, on a PhD or Master’s Degree is so critical to success can making the topic choice seem daunting. Our advice is to always choose a topic that you love, or an area you find interesting because this makes the whole process much less arduous. It’s also often a good idea to look into the areas where your advisor has knowledge and experience so that they can guide and focus your work. Most importantly the topic should be focused and manageable. If these factors are taken into account when choosing a topic in the field of Operations Manager, the overall task will be much easier, interesting and can lead to new routes for you in your professional or academic development. To help in preparing for this great challenge, this article provides suggestions for Operations Management topics in a range of key areas such as the supply chain, scheduling, inventory management and design of services, all of which are current areas in the field.

• Supply chain design and control Dissertation Topics

Inventory Management Dissertation Topics

Production scheduling dissertation topics, product development dissertation topics, design of services dissertation topics, dynamic pricing dissertation topics, industrial risk management dissertation topics, logistics dissertation topics, manufacturing and supply-chain dissertation topics.

• Total quality management Dissertation Topics

Supply Chain Design and Control Dissertation Topics

The development and maintenance of effective Supply chains is one of the most crucial organisational elements of any manufacturing organisation and their achievement of competitive advantage and the building of good customer relationships. The planning, design and effective control of the supply chain and its various elements and stakeholders is of utmost importance to the success of the organisations. Organisations need to evaluate continuously improve and evolve their supply chains, and there is an increasing use of technology and other digital solutions to support control, measure and evaluation of this important facet of the organisations systems. With the development of automation, data analytics and a focus on corporate social responsibility effective and innovative supply chain design and control is moving forward into a new era. For up to date, timely operations management dissertation topics within this area please see the suggestions below.

• What does “Legality” mean in reference to supply chain design?
• The virtual supply chain and its role in streamlining short-term business partnerships
• Supply chain management: Is autonomous transportation a reality and how effective can it be?
• Blockchain technology and its effect on the UK supply chain: Issues and challenges
• Supply chain management and impact of information technology: An analysis of manufacturing firms in UK.
• E-commerce for supply chain management.
• Supply chain management: Case study on Amazon.com and innovative solutions for packing, picking and delivering
• Big Data and its role in revolutionising the supply chain for online retailers
• How the supply chain differs on a B2C site compared to a B2B environment.
• Supply chain control management: A case study on HP, UK.
• Track and trace technology and its contribution to competitive advantage at Johnson and Johnson
• I Robot : the use of Robotic picking and automation by Alibaba and the effect on supply chain efficiencies
• How important will crowd-sourced transportation like Uber and Deliveroo be for reducing costs and increasing efficiency during “last mile delivery”

Inventory management is the supervision of non-capitalized assets (inventory) and stock items. A component of supply chain management, inventory management supervises the flow of goods from manufacturers to warehouses and from these facilities to point of sale.

As an integral component of supply chain management, inventory management refers to the systems of supervision for inventory and stock items, managing and monitoring the flow of goods from manufacturers to distributors and retailers. The processes can be complex and an inventory management system requires clear planning and concise and closely measured processes and technologies to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Suggestions for operations management dissertations topics on inventory management are:

• Inventory management is still the backbone of supply chain management: True or False?
• The influence of big data analytics in effective inventory management.
• The importance of RFID in inventory management at Toyota UK.
• How Smart is Smart Inventory in the grocery retail sector : Analysis of Smart inventory management at Tesco.
• The internet of things and inventory management : how IoT is connecting customers to suppliers in a more efficient way
• Inventory management or logistics solutions: how just in time approaches and inventory technology are changing traditional inventory management processes
• Inventory management for e-commerce.
• Inventory management with multiple procurement modes: A case study in UK.
• Analytical study of inventory management in a car manufacturing organisation.
• Warehouse drones and how they could change the face of inventory management : Examination of Sony and Amazon’s plans for connecting robotic automation with inventory management software
• Are wearable scanning devices more time efficient than hand-held units – examination of wearable scanners in a FMCG warehouse setting
• AI and inventory management : The role of artificial intelligence in making accurate stock decisions at Amazon.com

Production planning refers to the organisational function of establishing an overall level of output, called the production plan. The process also includes any other activities needed to satisfy current planned levels of sales, but should also incorporate the the firm’s general objectives in terms of profit, productivity, lead times, and achievement of customer satisfaction, defined with the strategic plan for the organisation. From a managerial perspective production planning requires the development of an integrated strategy where the operation element is the foundation and a crucial element of the production plan. Dissertations in production scheduling could cover any of the following topics.

• Production scheduling techniques in a manufacturing environment.
• Production scheduling techniques in a car manufacturing industry.
• Toyota production scheduling techniques: A case analysis in UK.
• The significance of theory of constraints in production scheduling.
• Production scheduling in steel industry: A case study on Mittal Steel.
• Fuzzy theory applied to production planning as a means of improving the accuracy of planning decision making processes
• How integrated production planning and cross-employee communication increases productivity and employee motivation
• Using AI to improve quality control : A case study of Amazon.com
• Production scheduling optimisation within the Pharmaceutical industry through technology
• Real time communication between multi-site manufacturers and the impact on productivity scheduling

Product development (NPD) is the term used to describe the complete process of bringing a new product or service to market. There are two parallel paths involved in the product development process: one involves the idea generation, product design, and detail engineering whilst the second path involves market research and marketing analysis for the proposed new product. NPD is the first operational stage in generating and bringing to market new products when looked at from the perspective of product life cycle management. If your area of interest is NPD, the following dissertation topics may be useful:

• Fitting in: The world of the techno eco-system and what it means for NPD
• Product development and how the process has been hijacked by consumers wanting to collaborate and innovate with food companies
• Product mix and New Product Development strategies to meet consumer’s ethical and CSR demands
• How do they do it? Critical analysis of Apple’s NPD strategy and process
• Product development strategy In the automotive industry: Toyota’s lean thinking and its effectiveness in launching new products
• Is technology like 3D printing changing the NPD process and what does this mean for small businesses?
• Product life cycles in the digital age – is a new approach needed?
• Product development strategy: case study Amazon.com.
• Impact of information technology on product development strategy: case study on organisations based in UK.
• Crowd-funding, new product development and people powered innovation: a new theory of NPD and its place in the product life cycle

Service Design is the activity of planning and organising people, infrastructure, communication and material components of a service, in order to improve its quality, the interaction between service provider and customers and the customer’s overall experience. The increasing relevance of the service sector, both in terms of people employed and economic importance, requires services to be accurately designed. An operations dissertation on the design of services could include:

• Customer service in e-business : Case study of Amazon.com
• Spirituality, investment and motivation: Why Starbucks services design is a major contributor to its success.
• Service design in fund management company.
• Design and implementation of e-commerce web services.
• Four major characteristics of services and the marketing strategies available for the service organisation.
• Impact of big data analytics in creating effective service design.
• Solutions and experience are the new service mantras, or are they just old wine in new bottles?
• Future technology impact on service design.
• The principles of service design thinking and how to apply them in a small restaurant business
• Applying service design in the NHS: Sequencing a customer journey to improve experience
• Co-creation of the service journey in manufacturing, from order through processing to delivery: examination of the integration of service design at BMW
• Tesla motors and co-creation of a full service journey for customers through partnerships and alliances

Variable, dynamic pricing allows the retailer to change or fluctuate prices due to different variables, conditions, and situations. Being able to manage dynamic pricing strategies is a key ability for companies wishing to succeed in the world of e-commerce in particular. The forces of supply and demand are leading variables that dictate pricing. An operations dissertation on dynamic pricing would make for very interesting reading.

• E-business models of dynamic pricing.
• Dynamic pricing: A case study of the travel industry.
• Consumer responses to dynamic pricing in the airline industry
• Dynamic pricing: A case study of the insurance industry.
• Comparing the use of dynamic pricing in the airline and retail industries
• The importance of dynamic pricing in ‘auctioning’.
• Analysis of the current issues, future trends and opportunities associated with dynamic pricing.
• The significance of dynamic pricing in online retailing
• Dynamic pricing: A case study on easyJet.
• Dynamic pricing in a B2B environment in the UK.
• Dynamic pricing in the UK service industry
• Competition-based dynamic pricing in e-commerce
• Price guarantees and dynamic pricing strategies

The majority of industrial and engineering operations are in the risk world. Almost everything done involves probabilities and consequences. Within these industrial settings, there are many factors contributing to uncertainty, for example, external influences (oil prices, political changes, etc.), equipment characteristics (reliability, availability), materials, contractors’ performance, suppliers, organization complexity, and human error. This is a very important issue within the business world and makes for an excellent operations dissertation.

• Risk management in the UK construction industry: A case study
• Risk management in the pharma industry: a case study analysis in the UK.
• Is risk management different in the banking industry?
• Risk management in the retail industry
• Internal and external factors affecting industrial risk management
• The impact of rapidly advancing information technology on industrial risk management: A case study if the automobile industry
• Big data analytics and risk management for improving business operations
• Risk management in the aviation industry
• Human factors affecting industrial risk management
• Industrial risk management in rural part of the UK.
• The impact of risk management on production decisions
• How can firms proactively manage supply chain risk?
• Critical success factors in supply chain risk management in industrial firms in the UK

Logistics is the management of the flow of goods, information and other resources, including energy and people, between the point of origin and the point of consumption. The aim is usually to meet the requirements of consumers. To achieve its goals, logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material-handling, and packaging. Operations management dissertation topics for your logistics management dissertation could include:

• Is the rise of intermodal international logistics affecting the operations of manufacturing companies?
• Transport and logistics
• Evaluation of the logistics operations carried out within manufacturing organisations
• The logistic industry and corporate social responsibility: A closer look.
• The impact of recent improvements in information technology on the logistics industry.
• Principles of logistic management: an evaluation in a practical environment using Amazon as a case study
• Anticipatory logistics on supply chain management.
• Logistics management as a competitive advantage: A comparative analysis of Tesco and Asda
• Value chain strategy of the logistic industry in the UK.
• Optimising third party logistics using Big Data
• Vehicle route optimisation in London
• Decision-support systems to tackle the challenges of last mile logistics
• Last mile logistics for the delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables in cities

Manufacturing strategy is a functional strategy, which means that manufacturing objectives should be derived from business objectives, and then manufacturing policies developed to address these objectives. Supply chain management (SCM) is the combination of art and science that goes into improving the way a company finds the raw components it needs to make a product or service and deliver it to customers. Possible topics for your operations dissertation are:

• Is manufacturing strategy the key to business success?
• Manufacturing strategies of automobile OEMs in China
• Comparing the manufacturing strategies of automobile OEMs in China and the UK
• A case study of Boeing’s manufacturing strategy
• How Dell changed the computer world with its supply chain strategy: A retrospective case study
• Combining environmental management with supply chain management: A case study on BMW
• Examining continuous production as a manufacturing strategy in the pharmaceutical industry
• E-supply chain management: An examination of the use of technology to build superior supply chains
• ERP: A boon to supply chain strategy?
• The impact of information technology on manufacturing strategy
• Using information technology to support an integrated supply chain strategy
• The potential of the Cloud for enhancing manufacturing strategy
• Using an agile supply chain strategy to support supply chain performance
• The impact of manufacturing flexibility on financial performance in the fashion industry

Total Quality Management Dissertation Topics

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a business management strategy aimed at embedding awareness of quality in all organisational processes. TQM has been widely used in manufacturing, education, call centres, government and service industries, as well as NASA space and science programs. If you are looking at the area of Total Quality Management for your operations dissertation, the following topics may be useful:

• Is Total Quality Management enough for competitive advantage?
• Can TQM be a factor of sustainable competitive advantage for SME organisations?
• Evolution of quality: First fifty years of production and operations management in the UK
• Implementation of Total Quality Management: an empirical study of UK manufacturing firms.
• Total Quality Management and customer satisfaction in homebuilding.
• The application of Total Quality Management in construction field operations.
• The impact of TQM on innovation
• TQM: Theory and the practical implementation in the UK.
• Creating synergies between TQM and information technology.
• To what extent can TQM be applied in the public sector?
• Using Quality Management to develop excellence in UK’s third sector
• Barriers to the implementation of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model in the UK

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Admission Requirements

• A master’s degree in engineering, mathematics, computer science, economics or a related technical field from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association or completion of an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing.
• Excellent academic performance in all completed coursework, with a minimum GPA of 3.400 on a 4.000 scale.
• Previous coursework that includes satisfactory completion of at least nine credit hours of calculus, three credit hours of linear algebra and three credit hours of computer programming in a high-level language. (Typically, a Bachelor of Business Administration does not provide sufficient background.)
• Submission of a complete application, including a statement of purpose, official transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate studies and payment of appropriate application fee.
• Official GRE graduate school admission test results with a minimum 80th-percentile quantitative score.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can judge the applicant’s potential success as a doctoral student.
• 550 – paper-based examination.
• 213 – computer-based examination.
• 80 – Internet-based examination.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Lyle School of Engineering requirements for the Ph.D. degree, candidates are required to satisfy the following. (For a Ph.D. degree, the Lyle School of Engineering requires a minimum academic credit of 54 credit hours earned in coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree or 24 credit hours earned in coursework beyond a master’s degree. In addition, a minimum of 24 research credit hours are required in dissertation work.)

• The successful completion of at least 8 graduate courses (at least 24 credit hours) beyond the master’s degree.
• In their first year of the doctoral study, the students are required to complete 18 credit hours of coursework (6 courses) including two core course requirements.
• The first part is composed of two written exams on the topics of EMIS 8370 and EMIS 8371 (i.e., the core requirement courses). If a student already secured an A grade in both of the core requirement courses, this part can be waived completely. However, if the student received an A- or less in at least one of the two core courses, this part is required in its totality. The exam is graded based on Pass/Fail grading scheme.
• The second part is composed of two research paper presentations and cannot be waived. From a list of papers provided by the faculty, the student chooses two papers. Once the choices are confirmed, the student reads them following a guide provided and prepares a 45-minute presentation on each paper (given at separate times) for an oral exam on the in-depth understanding of the subject. The student also prepares written reports on the papers and submits them before the oral exams. An examination committee, formed by the PhD program director, will conduct the exam. This part of the exam can also include a computational study based on one of the papers chosen. Written exams and/or performance in the first year courses and paper reports, presentations, and, the student’s responses to the examination committee’s questions will be used to grade the overall performance as well as the future success potential of the student in the doctoral program. Each part of the exam can be retaken at most once in a way that a decision on the status of the student in the PhD program can be made by the end of the summer semester of the first year. The student is responsible to submit the Preliminary Exam Initiation form to the department within a week after the detailed information on the second part of the exam is announced.
• If the student has a suitable background in a core course, that course can be waived. In this case, the student must take the PCE exam at the time that it is offered, without any exception regardless of his/her previous grade on the waived core requirement course. If the exam is passed successfully, then the course credit can be honored towards total minimum credit requirement (24 hours). In this specific situation, the student is still required to complete 18 credits of coursework (6 courses without including independent study or research credit related courses) in the first two semesters in the program.
• engaging in independent research study with faculty (in which case the summer funding would be provided by the faculty),
• taking background enhancement courses (e.g., from the third group above) or skill set courses (e.g., programming, writing, presenting, GIS, etc.) in consultation with the OR program director (can also be in addition to independent study),
• taking an internship approved by the OR program director (summer funding provided by the company), or
• enrolling in research credit course if already funded by a faculty member out of a grant.
• Having passed the PCE and completed at least 6 courses (18 credit hours) in the program, in the second year, the student will complete at least two additional courses (to fulfill minimum 24 credit hours requirement) from the second group above and one independent research study course (if not completed in the preceding summer). Depending on how this requirement is planned to be satisfied and on the student’s commitment to a research project with an academic advisor, additional credit requirements to ensure full-time student requirements (9 credit hours per semester) can be fulfilled in alternative ways. In coursework selection, care must be taken to ensure that the student accumulates both breadth of knowledge in OR and depth of knowledge in the specific area of interest. If the student is not yet committed to work with an advisor by the end of the fall semester, he/she needs to consult with the OR program director and the faculty who offered the independent research study to decide on additional complementing courses to take in the spring.
• Regardless of what path was taken in the second year of study, the student must form his/her Dissertation Supervisory Committee by the end of the spring semester of the second year latest. However, this is preferred to happen earlier, by the end of the fall semester, as the committee can also make suggestions for the additional coursework to be completed in the spring semester of the second year. This completes the degree plan formation and the student concentrates on the research in the summer semester of the second year and the following fall semester. It may also be possible to spend the same summer at an internship, preferably related to the area of research, by the approval of the student’s supervisory committee. At this point, completion of the forms Recommendation and Certification of Appointment of Supervisory Committee and Doctoral Degree Plan need to be submitted to the graduate office.
• The student is expected to complete the Qualifying Examination administered by his/her supervisory committee in the spring or summer semester of the third year in the program. The exam will typically include a series of take-home exams individually given by the supervisory committee members and completion of a dissertation research proposal that includes some preliminary results and a clear articulation and plan of the research proposed. This will be followed by a meeting with the committee where the student will present his/her research proposal, lead a discussion to receive feedback from the committee, and address any other questions regarding the take-home exams and related advanced topics. Upon passing this exam, the student will be admitted to candidacy. At this point, the student should complete and submit the Admission to Candidacy form to the graduate office.
• The student will complete his/her research and the Dissertation . The Dissertation Defense is expected to take place by the end of the fourth year in the program. At the completion of the exam, the form Report on Thesis or Dissertation and/or Final Examination is submitted to the graduate office.
• During their PhD program, students are required to give at least one departmental seminar on their research and attend to all research seminars announced in the EMIS Department.
• Starting in the second year, students are required to submit annual reviews following the template provided at the end of the spring semester.

Core Courses

• EMIS 8370 - Stochastic Models
• EMIS 8371 - Linear Programming

Additional Course Options

• EMIS 7331 - Data Mining
• EMIS 7350 - Algorithm Engineering
• EMIS 7351 - Enterprise Fundamentals
• EMIS 7361 - Computer Simulation Techniques
• EMIS 7373 - Supply Chain Operation and Control
• EMIS 7377 - Statistical Design and Analysis of Experiments
• EMIS 8331 - Advanced Data Mining
• EMIS 8372 - Queueing Theory
• EMIS 8373 - Integer Programming
• EMIS 8374 - Network Flows
• EMIS 8378 - Optimization Models for Decision Support
• EMIS 8381 - Nonlinear Programming
• EMIS 8383 - Advanced Logistics Networks
• MATH 6370 - Parallel Scientific Computing
• Other EMIS 8000 level courses offered as Special Topics

Recommended Courses

MATH 3304 - Linear Algebra

• MATH 4338 - Analysis
• PHIL 1300 - Introduction to Critical Thinking
• STAT 6312 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II (or STAT 6327   / 6328- Mathematical Statistics   )

In the first two semesters (typically, fall and spring), the student is required to complete two core requirement courses with a 3.500 or better average.  The other four courses can be selected from the second group or the third group above. The student must consult with his/her academic advisor while determining the course selection. The courses in the third group and the prerequisites of any course not on the above lists do not typically count towards satisfying minimum 24 hours credit requirement. Doctoral students must maintain at least a 3.000 GPA every term and at least a 3.400 overall (cumulative) GPA during their course of study.

Bachelor of Science to Operations Research, Ph.D. Direct Admission

The Direct B.S. to PhD Program requires a total of 78 credit hours composed of at least 36 credit hours of course work and at least 24 credit hours of dissertation research work. In this program, the following core courses should be completed before taking the Preliminary Counseling Exam (PCE). The rest of the course credits will be completed from the courses also listed below. There may also be other courses that qualify in the latter category based on the discretion of the student’s dissertation committee chair and supervisory committee.

In the first three semesters (typically, fall and spring semesters of the first year and the fall semester of the second year), the student is required to complete the core courses. Additional courses may include courses from the second group and/or other courses that may be required as foundational courses depending on the student’s background. Doctoral students must maintain at least a 3.000 GPA every term and at least a 3.400 overall (cumulative) GPA during their course of study. In addition, the student is required to average at least 3.50 in the last two core courses listed below. 

• The first part is composed of two written exams on the topics of EMIS 8370    and EMIS 8371    (i.e., the core requirement courses). If a student already secured an A grade in both of these core requirement courses, this part can be waived completely. However, if the student received an A- or less in at least one of these core courses, this part is required in its totality. The exam is graded based on a Pass/Fail grading scheme.
• The second part is composed of two research paper presentations and cannot be waived. From a list of papers provided by the faculty, the student chooses two papers. Once the choices are confirmed, the student reads them following a guide provided and prepares a 45-minute presentation on each paper (given at separate times) for an oral exam on the in-depth understanding of the subject. The student also prepares written reports on the papers and submits them before the oral exams. An examination committee, formed by the Ph.D. program director, will conduct the exam. This part of the exam can also include a computational study based on one of the papers chosen. Written exams and/or performance in the program and paper reports, presentations, and the student’s responses to the examination committee’s questions will be used to grade the overall readiness as well as the future success potential of the student in the doctoral program. Each part of the exam can be retaken at most once in a way that a decision on the status of the student in the Ph.D. program can be made by the end of the summer semester of the second year. The student is responsible to submit the Preliminary Exam Initiation form to the department within a week after the detailed information on the second part of the exam is announced.
• taking additional background enhancement courses or skill set courses (e.g., writing, presenting, GIS, etc.) in consultation with the OR program director (can also be in addition to independent study),

The other 6 courses for 18 credits can be selected from the second group below. The student must consult with their academic advisor while determining the course selection. The prerequisites of any course not on the lists below do not typically count towards satisfying minimum 36 credit hours requirement.

• Having passed the PCE, completed core courses in the program and any independent study course(s), in the third year, the student will complete the additional 6 courses (to fulfill minimum 36 credit hours requirement) from the second group below.
• Also, the student must form their Dissertation Supervisory Committee by the end of the spring semester of the second year at the latest. However, this is preferred to happen earlier, when PCE is finalized in the fall semester, as the committee can also make suggestions for the coursework to be completed in the spring semester. This completes the degree plan formation and the student concentrates on the research in the same year. At this point, the forms Recommendation and Certification of Appointment of Supervisory Committee and Doctoral Degree Plan need to be submitted to the graduate office.
• The student is expected to complete the Qualifying Examination administered by their supervisory committee in the fourth year in the program. The exam will typically include a series of take-home exams individually given by the supervisory committee members and completion of a dissertation research proposal that includes some preliminary results and a clear articulation and plan of the research proposed. This will be followed by a meeting with the committee where the student will present their research proposal, lead a discussion to receive feedback from the committee, and address any other questions regarding the take-home exams and related advanced topics. Upon passing this exam, the student will be admitted to candidacy. At this point, the student should complete and submit the Admission to Candidacy form to the graduate office.
• The student will complete their research and the Dissertation . The Dissertation Defense is expected to take place by the end of the fifth year in the program. At the completion of the exam, the form Report on Thesis or Dissertation and/or Final Examination is submitted to the graduate office.
• During their Ph.D. program, students are required to give at least one departmental seminar on their research and attend all research seminars announced in the OREM Department.
• EMIS 7390 - Special Topics
• STAT 6311 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I
• STAT 6327 - Mathematical Statistics I
• STAT 6328 - Mathematical Statistics II

Other Current Courses Towards Completing 36 Credits for Ph.D.

• EMIS 7357 - Analytics for Decision Support
• EMIS 8360 - Operations Research Models
• EMIS 8390 - Graduate Seminar

• Harvard Business School

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Home > Engineering > MIE > Industrial Engineering & Operations Research Masters Theses Collection

Industrial Engineering & Operations Research Masters Theses Collection

Theses from 2023 2023.

Mining High Impact Combinations of Conditions from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey , Arjun Mohan, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2022 2022

Systematic Review of Driver Distraction in the Context of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) & Automated Driving Systems (ADS) , Apoorva Pramod Hungund, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2021 2021

Comparing and Improving the Design of Physical Activity Data Visualizations , Peter M. Frackleton, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Robustness of Supply Chain Synchronization Strategies , Andrew Frere, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2020 2020

Optimal Mammography Schedule Estimates Under Varying Disease Burden, Infrastructure Availability, and Other Cause Mortality: A Comparative Analyses of Six Low- and Middle- Income Countries , Shifali Shifali, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2019 2019

ADVANCED VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET BASED TRAINING TO IMPROVE YOUNG DRIVERS’ LATENT HAZARD ANTICIPATION ABILITY , Ravi Agrawal, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

THE EVACUATION PROBLEM IN MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS , Quang Hong Cung, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

MARKOV DECISION PROCESS APPROACH TO STRATEGIZE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER SCREENING POLICY IN DATA-LIMITED SETTINGS , Vijeta Deshpande, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

A Computational Simulation Model for Predicting Infectious Disease Spread using the Evolving Contact Network Algorithm , Buyannemekh Munkhbat, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Effects of Task Load on Situational Awareness During Rear-End Crash Scenarios - A Simulator Study , Rajiv Nair, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2018 2018

Does the Elicitation Mode Matter? Comparing Different Methods for Eliciting Expert Judgement , Claire Cruickshank, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

The Application of Usability Engineering Methods to Evaluate and Improve a Clinical Decision Support System , Kristine DeSotto, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Evaluation and Validation of Distraction Detection Algorithms on Multiple Data Sources , Shashank Mehrotra, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Impact of Perceptual Speed Calming Curve Countermeasures On Drivers’ Anticipation & Mitigation Ability – A Driving Simulator Study , Krishna Valluru, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2017 2017

Explorations into Machine Learning Techniques for Precipitation Nowcasting , Aditya Nagarajan, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2016 2016

Simulation of 48-Hour Queue Dynamics for A Semi-Private Hospital Ward Considering Blocked Beds , Wei Chen, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Strategies for Reducing Supplier Risk: Inputs into the Supply Chain , Christopher A. Greene, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Aircraft Demand Forecasting , Kayla M. Monahan, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2015 2015

Evaluation of a Training Program (STRAP) Designed to Decrease Young Drivers Secondary Task Engagement in High Risk Scenarios , Akhilesh Krishnan, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2014 2014

Delivery Performance Prediction Tool for Complex Assembly Systems , Faried D. Beladi, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Investigating Teenage Drivers' Driving Behavior before and after LAG (Less Aggressive Goals) Training Program , Jingyi Zhang, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2013 2013

Endogenous Technological Change In The Dice Integrated Assessment Model , Robert W. Barron, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Factors Which Influence Key Entry Speed On Hard and Soft Keyboards: Experience, Eye Behaviors and Finger Movements , Seckin Celik, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Comparing the Present U.S. Electricity Grid to a Smart Grid System , Charthamkudath Jubith Sadanandan, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Using Computer Simulation to Study Hospital Admission and Discharge Processes , Edwin S. Kim, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

An Evaluation of Methods to Assess Whether Health Information Technology-Based Tools Improve Weight Loss Measures in Bariatric Surgery Patients , Jocelyn R. Morgan, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Effects of Different Methods of Aggregation of Probabilities on the R&d Investment Portfolio for Optimal Emissions Abatement: An Empirical Evaluation , Olaitan P. Olaleye, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Water Plans and Climate Change Plans in the Northeast and the Southwest , An Pham, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2012 2012

The Process by which Physicians Extract Information from Electronic Progress Notes During Handoffs , Brian D. Amster, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Dynamic Capacity Allocation in Primary Care with Physician Flexibility , Sebastian S. Biehl, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Impacts of Solar Grid Integration Issues on the Optimal Energy R&d Portfolio for Climate Change , Noubara Djimadoumbaye, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Using Discrete Event Simulation to Evaluate the Impact of Adding a Fast Track Section to a Crowded Emergency Department , Yan Jin, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

The Economic Impacts of Technical Change in Carbon Capture , Peter G. Rasmussen, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Optimizing the Safety Stock Inventory Cost Under Target Service Level Constraints , Chetan T. Shivsharan, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Development of a Cost Minimizing Strategy to Mitigate Bird Mortalities in a Wind Farm , Karamvir Singh, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2011 2011

The Effect of External Distractions on Novice and Experienced Drivers' Anticipation of Hazards and Vehicle Control , Gautam Divekar, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Methods to Study Nurses’ Visual Scanning Patterns during the Medication Administration Process , Ze He, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Reverse Logistics Network Design for Electric Vehicle Batteries , Tilman Schnellenpfeil, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2010 2010

Electronic Falls Reporting System Implementation: Evaluating Data Collection Methods and Studying User Acceptance , Yi You Mei, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Electric Power Market Modeling with Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning , Nathanael K. Miksis, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

A Stochastic R&d Portfolio Model under Climate Uncertainty , Yiming Peng, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Optimal Energy R&d Portfolio Decision Making under Climate Change Uncertainty , Georg Schorpp, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Evaluation of an Eye Tracking Device to Increase Error Recovery by Nursing Students Using Human Patient Simulation , Yan Shen, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

The Impact of Flexibility And Capacity Allocation On The Performance of Primary Care Practices , Liang Wang, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2009 2009

A Discrete Event Simulation Approach to Resource Management, Process Changes And Task Prioritization in Emergency Departments , Ekkehard C. Beck, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Development of a Decision Tool for Green Energy Investment in the Pioneer Valley , Benjamin R. Ewing, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Physician Flexibility in Primary Care Practices , Jan T. Hippchen, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Optimal Acquisition and Sorting Policies for Remanufacturing over single and Multiple Periods , Yihao Lu, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2008 2008

Evaluation of a Simulator Based, Novice Driver Risk Awareness Training Program , Frank Diete, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

The Effect of Price Postponement on the Coordination of a Two Stage Supply Chain Facing Consumer Returns , Thomas Lenk, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Impacts Of Asymmetric Decision Policies And Consumer Behavior On Supply Chain Coordination Under Consumer Returns , Harald Schmid, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Theses from 2007 2007

Agent Based Modeling of Electronic Markets To Analyze the Sustainability of Mutual Cooperation , Ravindra R. Lote, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

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Research Areas

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Research in MS&E spans a broad intellectual spectrum, and our work often involves cross-disciplinary integrations across areas of the department and Stanford as a whole.

MS&E students and faculty work within and across these research areas:

Computational Social Science Decision and Risk Analysis Operations Research Organizations, Technology and Entrepreneurship Policy and Strategy Quantitative Finance

Computational Social Science

The design and operation of networks requires technical concepts such as information theory, algorithms, and optimization, but also depends on economic, social, and even political factors.

One example is the concept of net neutrality, in which infrastructure providers seeking to recoup their investments by charging differently based on bandwidth consumption come into conflict with users who oppose making economic distinctions related to information content. The department has deep expertise in all facets of these and other problems of technology implementation and usage in the real world.

The Society & Algorithms Lab (SOAL) combines computer science and algorithms with social science and economics in response to two recent trends: the rise of more powerful information technology and algorithms, and an increase in networked social and economic interactions.

Decision and Risk Analysis

MS&E Professor Ron Howard pioneered the field of decision analysis starting in 1964. And MS&E continues to lead in the field today.

Although many people make personal decisions instinctively and haphazardly, a more serious approach essential for management is to analyze the problem as a three-legged structure of preferences, alternatives, and available information in the context of a frame.

The mission of the Engineering Risk Research Group (ERRG) , led by department Professor M. Elisabeth Pate-Cornell, is the analysis, mathematical modeling, and management of the safety of engineering systems using probabilistic methods and systems analysis. Recently, the members of the ERRG have extended the application of these methods to the domains of medical operations and devices, national security, and the strategy of firms in the financial industry with the objective of identifying the most cost-effective risk-reduction measures within these complex systems. Technical, organizational, and strategic solutions are considered, and decision analysis is often used to make the final choice among a spectrum of risk-mitigation options.

Operations Research

Research focuses on developing and applying analytical, computational, and economic tools to address a wide variety of problems in business, government, and society.

The area is characterized by its mathematical depth, broad applicability, and interdisciplinary nature and has a particular emphasis in developing and applying models and algorithms to gain new insights and make better decisions across multiple domains.

Operations research is distinguished by its combination of foundational methodological research with applications and translation to practice.  The methodological foundations of operations research include: linear and nonlinear optimization; applied probability and stochastic modeling; simulation; statistical methodology; algorithms; dynamic programming and reinforcement learning; and game theory, market design, and microeconomic theory.  Research in this area often combines ideas across these methodological foundations to develop new techniques that are matched to emerging needs driven by applications; for example, many modern advances in machine learning are driven by advances at the interface of optimization, algorithms, and stochastic analysis, and a rich frontier in market design involves the interface of computational and economic theories.

In turn, these methodological foundations have significant impact on practice.  Faculty in operations research have consistently contributed to both methodological innovation, and instantiation of those methodological innovations in applied domains.  Interaction with applications further inspires novel frontiers for methodological research.  Significant areas of application include: school choice; design of kidney exchanges; design of pricing and matching algorithms for online platforms; operations management for health care; computational methods for social choice and collective decision-making; analysis and control of epidemics; and energy efficient management of buildings.

Research activities in the  operations research group  are broad and extensive. They include projects in optimization, stochastics, operations management, reinforcement learning, algorithms, market design and more.

Organizations, Technology and Entrepreneurship

Research spans the study of technical work, technology's effects on individuals and teams, the formation and growth of entrepreneurial firms, and strategy and innovation in technology-based firms.

Some projects examine the role of technology in the work of engineers, including the interplay between workplace technologies and engineering knowledge, on-the-job learning, problem-solving, and coordination. Other research investigates the dynamics of globally distributed work teams, the implications of contracting and outsourcing, human-robot interaction in the workplace, and evidence-based management.

At the firm-level, research examines how entrepreneurial firms gain financing, build alliance networks, and grow. Other investigations center on established firms, including creating successful R&D collaborations across businesses, effectively competing against other firms, and entering new markets. Researchers also study strategies that enable established organizations to discover, develop, and commercialize technologies.

The department is home to premier teaching programs in these areas including Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP) and the Center for Work, Technology and Organizations (WTO) , a world-class center dedicated to understanding how work is changing and how to design more effective organizations and technologies.

Policy and Strategy

Research and teaching in this area focus on the design and analysis of public policies and corporate strategies, especially those with technology-based issues.  Sub-areas include Energy and Environment, Health Systems Modeling and Policy, and National Security Policy

It features a grounding in microeconomics and modeling approaches. Courses with a policy focus include such topics such as national security, energy and environment, and health care. Courses with a strategy focus cover topics such as entrepreneurship, innovation, and product development.

The Energy Modeling Forum (EMF) seeks to improve the use of energy and environmental policy models for making important corporate and government decisions. Systems Utilization Research For Stanford Medicine (SURF Stanford Medicine) facilitates the delivery of world class advances in medical care through world class advances in hospital operations.

Quantitative Finance

Research and teaching in the department cover a range of topics including investments, economic growth, natural resources and energy, entrepreneurship, and microeconomics.

Through systematic analysis and application of sophisticated mathematical tools, engineers make vital contributions to understanding commodities, credit, currencies, derivatives, equities, pricing, profits, resources, and other core economic and financial concepts.

The  Advanced Financial Technologies Laboratory  at Stanford University pioneers financial models, statistical tools, computational algorithms, and software to address the challenges that arise in this context. Faculty and doctoral students of AFT combine expertise in core areas such as stochastics, optimization, data science, and networks and algorithms with a deep understanding of financial markets and institutions to make fundamental advances of broad relevance.

PhD Topics in Operations Research

For conducting a compelling research in Operation Research, the research topic is ought to be rational and researchable. Since this academic field is interdisciplinary, it provides freedom to the student to explore many areas of the discipline. While exploring, researcher finds no shortage of PhD topics in Operation Research but a lot of questions and uncertainty regarding the topics bothering the student. The questions can be:

• The topic seems too broad, how will I manage to narrow it down?
• Is the relevant literature available on this topic?
• Is this topic interesting enough to keep me working through all those years of my PhD?
• Can the topic add value to the literary canon of operation research?
• Am I working on the similar topic as the other researcher has done?

These are the common questions which remain unanswered until the student has reached and stuck on the half way to the PhD degree. In this discipline, so many niche researches have been conducted that doing original research on an original topic is competitive. You may find many research topics which are unique and original but to approach them in a unique way is difficult.

Keeping the dilemma in mind, our experts have suggested the following PhD topics in Operations Research which are not only unique but also researchable by different ways and perspectives:

• Assessing the role of logistics management in the performance of shipping and port operation industry with specific pertinence to third part logistics (4PL)
• An empirical study to optimize revenue and operations management at Indian railways
• Evaluating Risks in supply chain management: An assessment of challenges, developments and risk assessing frameworks
• Global trends in service operations management: A case of manufacturing industry
• Sustainable supply chain management: An empirical study to evaluate success, challenges and current trends

In our experts’ opinion, the above topics can be researched from different perspectives and techniques to fill the loophole in the existing knowledge of the Operation Research. All these topics address the various issues and interests and thus are in need to be examined. These topics can guide you which direction you should follow to obtain a good PhD topic in Operation Research. For more helpful research topic suggestions by experts, write in to us at [email protected] .

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By undertaking a project with us, you’ll have the chance to create change within a range of diverse areas.​

• Applied mathematics
• Financial mathematics
• Mathematical biology
• Mathematical material science
• Operations research
• Scientific computing and numerical modelling
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Empirical Study of Stochastic Network Games

Efficient parameter estimation for signals from laser interferometers, convolutions in the s-plane with applications, efficient simulation of random networks, efficient estimation for heavy-tailed random sums of light-tailed random variables, byop - bring your own problem, efficient simulation for the poisson lily-pond model, data analysis of melbourne's urban road traffic, land use optimisation, efficient sampling in bayesian models, squad builder challenge for ea fc 24, drayage problems, constraint programming techniques, machine learning for defined contribution superannuation, numerical methods for hamilton-jacobi-bellman equations in finance, effective computing in model predictive control for urban road traffic networks, queensland state-wide estimation of recreational fish catches, modeling the dynamics of the faintest dwarf galaxies, advanced monte carlo methods, applications of queueing theory in stream processing, modern statistical inference, weighted network models, understanding the effects of individual variation on population dynamics, system identification theory for queuing networks, statistical estimation of matrix analytic queueing models, sequential importance sampling with mixture models, projects in computational topology, estimation and inference on random networks.

70 Unique Psychology Essay Topics for Your Next Assignment

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Sometimes, it seems like coming up with unique psychology essay topics is more challenging than writing an essay itself. Psychology is a broad subject, so choosing a topic that allows you to cover the subject in depth without being stressed with information is important. A good topic not only captures the interest of the readers but also contributes meaningfully to their field of study.

In-depth research for psychology essays is important for the expansion of the understanding of human behaviour and for the treatment of various psychological conditions. Students feel burdened by the pressure of picking something new and important for their work. It leaves them feeling unsure of the approach to adopt for picking the right essay topics on psychology. During such times, you can get timely advice from your teachers, peers or expert essay writers online .

This blog explores the 70 best psychology essay topics that you can use to craft your essay papers. You can dive right in and start working on your homework after choosing a suitable topic for yourself.

A List of Trending Psychology Research Essay Topics

Whether you are a high schooler who is looking for essay topics in psychology or a college student in search of a compelling title for your paper, this piece of writing has got you covered. We have divided this list of essay topics about psychology into 7 different categories. Students at any academic level can benefit from these lists; there is something for everyone to engage with.

All of these topics for psychology essays are research-based and are related to the modern age psychology research problems. Let’s explore them in detail.

Biological Psychology Essay Topics

Sometimes known as behavioural neuroscience, biological psychology focuses on the study of neurotransmitters and the brain. Bio psychologists examine how these transmitters influence the feelings, behaviours, and thoughts of human beings. They also see how different biological processes interact with the cognitive functions of a person. If you are assigned to write an essay on this subject, but you can’t find any suitable topic, some of the best and trending biology psychology essay topics are listed here for your help:

• Explain the functioning of the endocrine system in detail and highlight how the hormones and glands actually work.
• What is the effect of people's multicultural background on their identity?
• Explore in detail the relationships between human beings and the electromagnetic fields.
• What is the impact of young maternal age on the cognitive and psychological effects, and how does it affect the elements of child development?
• Describe in detail the importance of health psychology when it comes to understanding the concept of diseases and health.
• To what extent can education be said to assume the scientific development that has been achieved in the study of biological integrity?
• What exactly is the neuroscience of addiction? Explain the circuitry and reward pathways of the brain.
• Explore the role played by hormones in controlling the social behaviour and aggression of individuals.
• What are the ethical considerations related to the usage of animal models in the field of biological psychology research?
• How are epigenetics and behaviour related to each other? Highlight the concept of interactions between the environment and genes.

Clinical Psychology Essay Topics

The clinical psychology research is often considered synonymous with counselling psychology. It is a discipline that is focused on the diagnosis, assessment, treatment and prevention of different emotional, mental and psychological disorders in different individuals. Here are the ten best clinical psychology essay topics that you can pick and use for your homework:

• What are the assessment options, diagnosis and treatment methods for anxiety plus other personality disorders in people?
• What is the impact of social media on how people behave and interact with each other?
• Explore the effect of ageing on mental illnesses. What particular challenges are faced by the old people who are diagnosed with mental health problems?
• Enlist the medications, therapy and psychosocial interventions associated with Schizophrenia.
• Explore in detail the impact of violence shown in media and video games on the behaviour of children.
• What kinds of therapy are found to be most suitable for people having behavioural issues since their childhood?
• Highlight the significance of anxiety disorders and their effect on the daily functioning of humans. Are there any new therapies available that can cure this problem?
• What are the ways in which the social and political climates of an environment affect the mental health of an individual?
• How does the substance use disorder impact a family, and how can the family members help with the treatment of the disorder?
• Is online therapy effective? Enlist its pros and cons and explore how people with no technical literacy can navigate it.

Cognitive Psychology Essay Topics

As a student of cognitive psychology, you will have to develop a systematic understanding of different cognitive processes. Since writing on such psychology topics is a bit tough, you can buy essay online from cognitive psychologists who write academic papers for students. Here are some of the best and trending cognitive psychology essay topics to consider for your work:

• What is the relationship between the cognitive psychology, positive psychology and the humanist psychology?
• Describe in detail some of the crucial cognitive aspects that are vital for decision-making in medical ethics.
• What is the relationship between memory consolidation and sleep? Provide a detailed meta-analysis.
• Investigate the effect of bilingualism on the executive functioning and cognitive flexibility of humans.
• What are the cognitive mechanisms that are associated with the placebo effects? Explain in detail.
• Analyse in detail the impact of socio-economic status on the cognitive performance of British students in the modern age.
• Are there any cognitive differences in the decision-making skills of non-entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs? If yes, what are those?
• Does sleep deprivation affect the cognitive performance of the students? Explain the reasons in further depth.
• What is the reason behind the premature ageing of some people? Present a perspective from cognitive psychology.
• How have the attention spans of children changed for the last 100 years? Support your answer with examples.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics Psychology

How about plunging into some exciting argumentative essay topics psychology for your homework? In such compare and contrast essays, you provide a comparison of similarities and dissimilarities for both sides of the subject. The key points of both sides should be strong enough to convince the readers. Here are some of the psychology essay topics which you can use for the contrast essays:

• Behaviourism versus Gestalt psychology
• Cognitive behavioural therapy versus Freudian psychoanalysis
• Self-determination theory versus self-efficacy theory
• Biomedical model of health and illness versus biopsychosocial model
• Self-perception theory versus cognitive dissonance theory
• Milgram experiment versus Stanford Prison experiment
• Environmental versus biological factors in mental health disorders
• Social cognitive theory versus social learning theory
• The effect of nurture versus nature on the development of human personality
• Operant conditioning versus classical conditioning

Criminal Psychology Essay Topics

This branch of psychology refers to the observation of the intentions, thoughts, and actions of criminals. Criminal psychology students strive to understand the motives of criminals for committing crimes and attempt to study their minds. Here are some of the latest trending criminal psychology essay topics for you to review and use for your college and university papers:

• Explore the basic determinants of the incidents where a murder is committed. Provide sufficient examples and the investigative study of the serial killers.
• What are the social factors which change the naïve people into criminals? Explain in depth.
• Are there any loopholes in the criminal justice system that actively promote crime in our society? Discuss the social disparities between the rich and the poor.
• What is the impact of natural disasters on the increase in social crimes? Provide a case study of criminal behaviour psychology during the period of Corona.
• Analyse the role played by social media in inciting crimes. Provide case studies of hate speeches that were made in public and support your stance.
• What are the general sentiments of the serial rapists? Highlight and support with examples.
• Does pornography and vulgarity promote the rape culture in a society?
• Provide a qualitative analysis of the different development stages of criminal mindset in a society.
• How can you control or trickle down the harmful effects of crimes taking place in a community?
• Is poverty a driving force behind the increasing crime rate in a country, especially in the impoverished societies of developing countries?

Developmental Psychology Essay Topics

Topics in this field of study range from prenatal development of childhood life to the final stages of the life of a person. It is a broad field that involves the study of how people change throughout their lives. Some of the developmental psychology essay topics that you can use for writing your academic papers are listed here:

• What is the effect of different parenting styles on the personality development and the behaviour of children?
• Do factors like peer influence and socialisation impact the process of identity formation in the human mind?
• What are the developmental trajectories related to the mental health problems, chronic pain, and other disorders faced by people in their adolescence?
• Explore in detail the diagnosis and intervention strategies related to the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders in the kids.
• Describe in detail the impact of early childhood education on the academic achievements and problem-solving skills of young kids.
• Explain in detail the concept of cognitive development in infancy from the Vygotskian and Piagetian perspectives.
• Do the students who eat breakfast daily perform better in their classes than the students who do not have breakfast regularly?
• What is the impact of bullying on the achievements of students? Are bullied students more likely to get bad grades than students who are not bullied in school?
• How can technology be used for the social and emotional development of humans in the period of their adolescence?
• What is the impact of social media on forming body image in the minds of teenagers?

Educational Psychology Essay Topics

Educational psychology covers topics related to children staying in educational settings. It covers topics like aptitude assessment, self-motivation, parental involvement, technology, teaching methods and more. A good essay on such topics informs the readers about learning styles, cognitive development, and impactful teaching strategies. Here are some psychological topics for essays in the field of psychology:

• Is it beneficial for children to use different educational and high-quality teaching methods at different times of the day?
• Does the duration and quality of sleep really impact the academic performance of students?
• Can daily medication at school influence the mental health and academic performance of students?
• What is the impact of regularly listening to classical music on the test scores of a student?
• What is the connection between knowledge retention and sugar consumption ratios among students?
• Explore the effectiveness of the interventions encompassing positive behaviours for the reduction of disruptions in the classroom.
• Assess the effect of Brexit on the educational experiences of international students in the United Kingdom.
• What is the relationship between the educational outcomes and the socio-economic disparities in the UK? Discuss in detail.
• Analyse the role of cultural diversity in shaping the classroom dynamics in the schools of 3 rd world countries.
• Provide a critical analysis of the impact of literature on parental involvement and student success.

You can choose from a diverse range of psychology essay topics that we have added in this article. You can also overlap and intersect various specialities and craft research questions for your next assignment. From clinical studies to cognitive psychology, each detailed essay focuses on a deeper understanding of human behaviour. It is important to understand the relevance of these research questions and give the readers insight across different areas of study.

If you want personalised help with the fulfilment of your homework requirements, you should hire psychology essay writing services in the UK from The Academic Papers UK. Their seasoned writing experts are best suited to cater to the needs of clients across the globe, and they can craft essay assignments tailored to your needs.

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