OPERATIONS RESEARCH SOCIETY
At BYU, I work with undergraduate students in applied mathematics, engineering, and related quantitative disciplines to raise awareness of graduate study and career paths in Operations Research (OR) and Operations Management (OM)—two closely related fields focused on solving complex, real-world problems using mathematical modeling, data, and optimization.
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To support this effort, I helped establish the Operations Research Society, an academic association dedicated to cultivating a vibrant community of students and faculty interested in OR and its applications. The Society seeks to inspire curiosity, foster collaboration, and prepare students to become future researchers and practitioners who make meaningful contributions across industry and academia. Click here to learn more about the OR Society.
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Through monthly meetings, the Society provides opportunities for students to engage with research papers, hear from industry professionals, and participate in activities—such as strategy-based board games—that sharpen analytical and decision-making skills. I also mentor and advise students as they explore graduate programs and career options in OR and OM.
More broadly, this initiative aims to help build a robust network of Latter-day Saint researchers and practitioners in these fields, fostering a sense of community, shared purpose, and long-term professional connection.
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Below, you’ll find an overview of Operations Research and Operations Management, along with videos and resources that illustrate what graduate study and research in each field looks like in practice. I am also happy to meet with interested students who want to learn more!
OPERATIONS RESEARCH
(Typically in Engineering Department)
What Is It?
Operations Research (OR) is a discipline focused on using mathematical modeling, optimization, probability, and data analysis to support better decision-making in complex systems. OR researchers develop rigorous, quantitative methods to improve the performance of systems in areas such as logistics, healthcare, energy, defense, and technology.
What Kind of Graduate Degrees Are There?
Graduate training in Operations Research is available at both the Master’s and PhD levels. Master’s programs emphasize applied modeling and analytics for professional practice, while PhD programs focus on developing new methods and preparing students for research-oriented careers.
What Kind of Students Pursue These Degrees?
Successful applicants to Operations Research graduate programs typically have strong quantitative backgrounds. Most admitted students hold undergraduate degrees in fields such as Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or closely related disciplines.
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Competitive preparation usually includes coursework in calculus, linear algebra, probability, statistics, and mathematical modeling, along with exposure to optimization or algorithms. Programming experience (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R, C++, or Java) is highly valued, as OR research and practice rely heavily on computational methods.
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While prior coursework specifically labeled “Operations Research” is helpful, it is not required. Admissions committees primarily look for mathematical maturity, analytical thinking, and the ability to formulate and solve complex problems—skills that can be developed across many quantitative majors.
Who Hires from These Degrees?
Graduates of OR Master’s programs are hired into industry and government roles involving analytics, optimization, and decision support. OR PhD graduates place into industry research labs, government agencies, and academic departments, including Operations Management, Operations Research, Mathematics, Engineering, and related quantitative fields. Employers include organizations such as Amazon, Google, UPS, MITRE, the Department of Defense, and national laboratories.​​
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
(Business School)
What Is It?
Operations Management (OM) is a research field within business schools that studies how organizations design, manage, and improve processes that produce goods and services. OM research blends rigorous analytical modeling with economic reasoning and empirical insights to address questions central to firm performance and strategy.
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What Kind of Graduate Degrees Are There?
Graduate training in Operations Management is offered almost exclusively at the PhD level within business schools. These programs are designed to train scholars to conduct independent research and teach at the university level.
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What Kind of Students Do OM PhD Programs Admit?
Operations Management PhD programs admit students interested in conducting rigorous research on how firms design, manage, and improve operational processes. These programs are typically housed in business schools and prepare students for academic careers in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, and related fields. Importantly, OM PhD programs differ in their methodological emphasis, and the background preparation they seek varies accordingly.
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Quantitative Modeling–Focused OM Programs
Some OM PhD programs emphasize analytical and mathematical modeling, often with strong intellectual ties to Operations Research. These programs study topics such as inventory theory, queueing systems, supply chain coordination, pricing, and capacity management using optimization, stochastic processes, and game theory.
Students admitted to these programs typically have preparation similar to successful Operations Research PhD applicants, including undergraduate or master’s degrees in mathematics, engineering, physics, computer science, or economics. Strong backgrounds in calculus, linear algebra, probability, optimization, and programming are expected, and prior exposure to OR-style modeling is highly valued.
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Empirical and Data-Driven OM Programs
Other OM PhD programs concentrate more heavily on empirical research, using statistical analysis, econometrics, and causal inference to study operational phenomena using observational or experimental data. These programs often draw students from business, economics, industrial engineering, statistics, or data science backgrounds.
For empirically focused OM programs, the emphasis is less on advanced mathematical modeling and more on statistical reasoning, research design, and data analysis. Preparation in probability, statistics, econometrics, and programming for data analysis (e.g., R, Python, Stata) is especially important, while deep training in optimization or stochastic processes may be less critical.
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Who Hires from These Degrees?
The primary placement for OM PhD graduates is into tenure-track faculty positions in business schools, typically within Operations, Supply Chain, or Management Science groups.
