Decision Sciences

Faculty and doctoral students in Decision Sciences are a community of scholars dedicated to producing high impact research. Their interests are reflected in the diverse mix of research topics they pursue. These research interests include Monte Carlo methods and their applications to Finance and decision theory, uncertain reasoning, artificial intelligence, time series analysis and forecasting, Bayesian statistics, and production and operations management. For further details, please explore the Decision Sciences faculty profiles below. Decision Sciences faculty are highly regarded for their research productivity and placement of doctoral graduates. They have published in journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, Decision Sciences, Journal of the Operational Research Society, European Journal of Operational Research, and Artificial Intelligence.

Ph.D. Faculty in Decision Sciences

Click here to see faculty in Decision Sciences

Program Requirements and Information:

Required Coursework

Area of Concentration

Most students admitted in decision science typically will select that area as their concentration. However, an aspirant, with the assistance of his or her faculty advisor and the area faculty, may propose an interdisciplinary area of concentration that is a combination of the traditional business disciplines of accounting, information systems, finance, human resource management, marketing, organizational behavior, and strategic management. An aspirant may also propose an interdisciplinary area of concentration that includes emphases such as international business, law, and economics. The aspirant must take at least five advanced courses in the area of concentration. These courses may include those offered outside the School of Business.

Supporting Areas

Coursework in the area of concentration is supplemented and strengthened by study in one or two supporting areas. A supporting area is one that supplements and complements the area of concentration. The aspirant will satisfy the supporting area requirement by taking at least four advanced courses in the supporting areas (at least two courses in each of two supporting areas, or at least four courses in one supporting area). Courses recommended for preparation for the qualifiers may not be included in satisfying the supporting area requirement.

Research Methodology

For successful qualifier assessment, the student’s program of study should include adequate preparation in research methodology.

Degree Completion Timeline

  • Years 1-2: Coursework*
  • Year 3: Comprehensive Exams
  • Year 4: Dissertation Proposal
  • Year 5: Dissertation Defense

*A minimum of 15 courses, plus 901 and BUS 902 are required for completion of the degree

Some students can complete the program in four years.

Placements

Over the past several years, our PhD graduates have been placed at schools such as Virginia Military Institute, Albany State College, University of Tampa, Duke University, University of Nebraska, Omaha. For a complete listing, see the Decision Science Alumni page.

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