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    • Operations Research

    Operations Research Courses Online

    Study operations research for solving complex organizational problems. Learn about optimization, simulation, and decision analysis techniques.

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    Explore the Operations Research Course Catalog

    • U

      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

      Graduate Certificate in Accounting Data Analytics

      Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax

      Credit offered

      Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months

    • U

      University of London

      Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

      Skills you'll gain: Process Design, Global Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Statistical Analysis, Organizational Change, Process Mapping, Customer Retention, Integrated Marketing Communications, Advertising, Innovation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Performance Measurement, Training and Development, Virtual Teams, Databases, International Finance, Research, Team Management, Economic Development, Cultural Diversity

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • H

      HEC Paris

      Executive MSc & MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

      Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Research Methodologies, Performance Measurement, Design Thinking, Value Propositions, Financial Modeling, Private Equity, Team Building, Social Media Strategy, Business Modeling, Active Listening, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Supplier Relationship Management, Ideation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity, Stakeholder Engagement, Innovation, Corporate Sustainability

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Master of Public Health

      Skills you'll gain: Motivational Interviewing, Epidemiology, Program Evaluation, Sampling (Statistics), Mergers & Acquisitions, Survey Creation, Growth Mindedness, Database Design, Variance Analysis, Risk Analysis, Environmental Policy, Research Design, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Collection, Statistical Modeling, Spatial Analysis, Ggplot2, Health Care Administration, Financial Statements, Systems Thinking

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Industrial Internet of Things Graduate Certificate

      Skills you'll gain: User Research, Project Design, Internet Of Things, User Experience Design, User Experience, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Power Electronics, Verification And Validation, Machine Learning Algorithms, Embedded Systems, Persona (User Experience), Failure Analysis, Usability Testing, User Centered Design, Product Planning, Debugging, Process Control, Machine Controls, Embedded Software

      Credit offered

      Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months

    • B

      BITS Pilani

      Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

      Skills you'll gain: Relational Databases, User Research, Probability & Statistics, Data Storytelling, Bash (Scripting Language), Graph Theory, Object Oriented Design, Operating Systems, Android Development, Database Design, Bioinformatics, Feature Engineering, Algorithms, Version Control, Java Programming, Data Structures, Model View Controller, Computational Logic, Database Systems, Computer Systems

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Master of Applied Data Science

      Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Database Design, Reinforcement Learning, Supervised Learning, Data Visualization, Experimentation, PySpark, Interactive Data Visualization, Generative AI, Pandas (Python Package), Network Analysis, Deep Learning, Cloud Services, Applied Machine Learning, Database Management, Linear Algebra, Natural Language Processing, JSON, Data Mining, Qualitative Research

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • U

      University of Leeds

      Master of Science in Data Science (Statistics)

      Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Regression Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Correlation Analysis, Statistical Machine Learning, Data Visualization, Statistical Methods, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Exploratory Data Analysis, Planning, Applied Machine Learning, Machine Learning Methods, Data Visualization Software, Bayesian Statistics, Dimensionality Reduction, Supervised Learning, Box Plots, Statistical Modeling, Data Analysis

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • O

      O.P. Jindal Global University

      M.A. in International Relations, Security, and Strategy

      Skills you'll gain: Diplomacy, Intelligence Collection and Analysis, Survey Creation, Environment, Qualitative Research, Sampling (Statistics), R Programming, Environmental Issue, Political Sciences, Economic Development, International Relations, Cybersecurity, Public Safety and National Security, Socioeconomics, Governance, Mitigation, Social Studies, Social Sciences, Security Strategy, Conflict Management

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    Operations Research learners also search

    Operations Management
    Operations Analytics
    Business
    Management
    Business Management
    Business Development
    Project Management
    Business Projects
    1…346347348349

    In summary, here are 9 of our most popular operations research courses

    • Graduate Certificate in Accounting Data Analytics: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: University of London
    • Executive MSc & MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship: HEC Paris
    • Master of Public Health: University of Michigan
    • Industrial Internet of Things Graduate Certificate: University of Colorado Boulder
    • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: BITS Pilani
    • Master of Applied Data Science: University of Michigan
    • Master of Science in Data Science (Statistics): University of Leeds
    • M.A. in International Relations, Security, and Strategy: O.P. Jindal Global University

    Skills you can learn in Business Strategy

    Modeling (25)
    Market (economics) (21)
    Plan (19)
    Planning (16)
    Strategic Management (16)
    Business Model (13)
    Operations Management (13)
    Analytics (12)
    Evaluation (12)
    Project Management (11)
    Supply Chain (10)
    Decision-making (9)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Operations Research

    Operations research is the use of statistical analysis and mathematical optimization techniques to help organizations solve problems and improve decision-making. The ability to harness vast amounts of data on day-to-day operations has created opportunities to rigorously optimize processes for cost, quality control, inventory management, and other goals, making operations research an important part of many businesses.

    The tools of operations research are similar to those of other fields relying heavily on quantitative analysis and statistics. Operational data is input into programs such as Microsoft Excel and Solver, R, and Python, where mathematical optimization techniques such as linear programming (LP) are applied to find the best solution for business problems. Monte Carlo simulations and other probabilistic analyses may also be used to discover areas of sensitivity and risk.

    These data-driven insights are typically applied according to process management and process improvement frameworks such as Six Sigma and Lean, which strive to reduce variation and eliminate waste in operations.‎

    Operations research is a core competency of careers in operations management, supply chain management, and logistics. This skill is particularly highly valued by businesses in manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and other industries where companies must compete to deliver goods and services with complex supply chains in cost-sensitive markets.

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, operations research analysts earned a median annual salary of $84,810 in 2019. These jobs are also expected to grow much faster than jobs in the rest of the economy, due to the explosive growth in the availability of operations data along with the increasing importance of adopting these data-driven approaches to remain competitive in many industries. Operations research analysts typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in technical and quantitative fields such as engineering, computer science, analytics, or mathematics, as few schools offer degrees in operations research specifically.‎

    Certainly. Coursera offers courses and Specializations on operations research and related topics such as supply chain and operations management, operational analytics, and statistical research. Offered by excellent schools such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Melbourne, and Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, these courses give you the opportunity to learn remotely on a flexible schedule and a lower tuition than on-campus students. Whether you’re a student or mid-career professional looking to add new skills to your repertoire, Coursera gives you the opportunity to optimize your operations research education to fit your specific needs.‎

    The skills and experience that you might need to already have before starting to learn operations research may include knowledge of mathematical and engineering methods, understanding of the fundamentals of business, and some background in linear programming, a math technique to solve systems of linear constraints. All of these can help you fully grasp the basics of operations research. Furthermore, having a background that includes computer algorithms and optimization techniques can help you to better analyze optimization problems in computer science, civil engineering, economics, and management. This multifaceted field is also linked with machine learning, as some operations researchers are sampling machine learning methods to test various metrics in a particular optimization process.‎

    The kind of people who are best suited for operations research work are often quantitative thinkers who are detailed and analytical. These people use mathematics formulas to help companies study labor needs, cost scenarios, product distribution, and other factors. In doing this work, they need to be curious, methodical, rational, and logical. Because operations researchers understand how algorithms, math, and statistics may impact workflows, budgets, employee staffing, and profitability, they also tend to be the kind of people who are investigative in nature, using their intellect and curiosity in the work.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Operations Research, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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