• Home
• Why WSU
• Academics & Majors
• Academic Offerings
• Research Opportunities
• Honors College
• Study Abroad
• Libraries
• Admission
• Scholarships & Finances
• Student Life & Housing
• Student Visits

• Admitted Students

Operations Research

College of Sciences

	QUICK JUMP
	Operations Research
	Core and Option Courses
	Careers in Math Operations Research
	Salaries
	Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Campus Organizations and Activities
	Contact Information

Operations Research

Operations research, an option within the mathematics major, focuses on scientific methods for determining the optimal design and operation of man/machinery in industry, government, the military, or universities. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in mathematics with a mathematical operations research option • Available at: Pullman

Back to top

Core and Option Courses

In addition to the courses listed below, students must complete courses to meet University general education requirements and College of Sciences requirements, as well as a writing portfolio. Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate. MATHEMATICS CORE COURSES Cpt S 121—C Programming, or two of the following:      • Cpt S 153—BASIC Programming      • 203—FORTRAN      • 251—C Programming Math 171 & 172—Calculus I & II Math 220—Introductory Linear Algebra Math 273—Calculus III Math 300—Mathematical Computing Math 315—Differential Equations Math 360—Probability and Statistics      or 443—Applied Probability Math 420—Linear Algebra Math 398—Mathematical Snapshots Math 421—Algebraic Structures Math 401 & 402—Introduction to Analysis I & II Physcis 201—Physics for Scientists and Engineers Engl 402—Technical and Professional Writing Four Math electives (consult with advisor) MATHEMATICAL OPERATIONS RESEARCH OPTION COURSES Math 364—Principles of Optimization Math 325—Elementary Combinatorics Math 456—Introduction to Statistical Theory Math 464—Operations Research and Game Theory Math 416—Simulation Methods Math 453—Graph Theory Math 466—Optimization in Networks Math 448—Numerical Analysis Math 515—Statistical Packages

Back to top

Careers in Math Operations Research

Operations researchers work for industry, government, the military, and universities. Traditional jobs in this field include inventory control, maintenance scheduling, marketing, financial planning, regional planning, and public health. Job opportunities have expanded to include the fields of criminal justice, banking operations, population control, meteorology, energy development, ecological systems, and medical decision-making. Operations researchers often move up to managerial positions or to related areas such as computer specialists, statisticians, marketing strategists, and city planners.

Back to top

Salaries

According to the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences, average salaries for operations researchers in business and industry were $65,000 to $85,000 per year. Those working for the federal government (with a master’s degree) were earning an average of $57,500.

Back to top

Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

Students planning to major in mathematics at WSU should take four years of mathematics in high school through at least pre-calculus. Most mathematics majors begin with first or second semester calculus (Math 171 or 172).

Back to top

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Endowed scholarships are available from the Department of Mathematics and the College of Sciences. A variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored programs, loans, grants, and scholarships are also available to assist qualified students with education costs.

Back to top

Campus Organizations and Activities

• Math Club (a support group for math students that sponsors speakers, films, and other activities) • Women in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (a group that offers support and enrichment programs) • The Washington State University national math modeling team • The national Putnam mathematics competition

Back to top

Contact Information

Department of Mathematics

Washington State University PO Box 643113 Pullman, WA 99164-3113

info@math.wsu.edu

509-335-3926

Back to top

Strengths of the Program

• Math lab facilities include 25 networked Linux computers with sofware for differential equations, linear algebra, and calculus, plus two PC labs containing 40 computers with math education software.
• Students gain strong instruction in analysis/differential equations, computational math, discrete math, mathematical modeling, mathematics education, optimization, probability, and statistics.
• Math majors assist faculty on research projects ranging from atmospheric science to genetics using the department’s research-computing workstations.
• The Owen Science and Engineering Library subscribes to more than 200 math journals, and there are 15,000 volumes in the math section of the library.
• Our internship program places students at Boeing Corporation, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and other national labs and businesses.
• You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us