The program is given in Hebrew

Operations research is a branch of applied mathematics that uses advanced analytical methods, such as mathematical modeling and mathematical optimization, to arrive at optimal or near-optimal solutions to complex decision-making problems. It is often concerned with determining the optimal level of some real-world objective (e.g., the maximum profit, performance, or yield, or the minimum loss, risk, or cost) that can be achieved in a given set of circumstances. Originating in military efforts before World War II, operations research has expanded to address problems in a wealth of areas, including planning, management, logistics, finance economics, VLSI  design, pattern recognition, data mining, resource allocation, mechanical/structural design, chemical engineering, signal and image processing, communications, and tomography.

Master’s Program

The master’s program in Operations Research and Optimization is a challenging program covering a broad spectrum of mathematical theory (such as combinatorial and continuous optimization, stochastic processes, and game theory), as well as exposure to a wide range of practical applications.

Doctoral Studies

Students who achieve high academic standards during their master’s studies may register for doctoral studies. Doctoral study course requirements are set in accordance with the candidate’s background, and include at least 10 academic credits. The general requirements for doctoral studies (assessment of applications, foreign languages, the scope and nature of the doctoral thesis) are detailed in the Technion graduate studies catalog.

Master’s degree students who display outstanding ability in their studies and in their research may request to transfer to the direct track in doctoral studies. Details of this track can be found in the Technion graduate studies catalog.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in engineering (four-year program) who completed their studies with a final grade of at least 85, or who were selected for the President’s List of Outstanding Scholars during the final four semesters of their undergraduate studies, may apply to be accepted directly into the doctoral studies program (special track). Details of this track can be found in the Technion graduate studies catalog.

Research Topics

The Faculty encourages interdisciplinary research and cross-field cooperation. A student from any study field may choose an academic supervisor from the faculty staff.

• Artificial Intelligence (neural networks, computational learning, natural language processing…)
• Electronic Markets and Electronic Commerce
• Viral Processes (viral, ideas..) in human or computer communities
• Cognitive Robots (artificial intelligence and robotics)
• Game Theory and Decision Making
• Software Engineering (complex systems modeling and analysis)
• Knowledge and Data (information) Management
• Mathematical Logic and program verification
• Probability and Stochastic Processes
• Service Engineering (queue systems in hospitals, banks etc.)
• Data-based Operation Research
• Efficient Optimization
• Behavioral Economics
•  Marketing and Strategic Theories
•  Supply Chain in Dynamic and Multi-data environment.
•  Various subjects in Information and Data Science.
• Network algorithms
• Distributed algorithms
• Self stabilizing systems
• Optimization in the face of uncertainty
• Network security and fault tolerance

Curriculum

Program Structure

A number of tracks are available:

• Research track, in which the student submits a research thesis;
• Project track, in which the student submits an engineering project towards the end of the program;
• Final assignment track, in which the student submits a final assignment.

The scope of a final assignment is smaller than that of a research thesis or a project, and thus students who choose this last track will be required to complete a greater number of courses than students in the research or project tracks. Detailed explanations of the tracks can be found in the Technion graduate studies catalog and in the regulations of the Technion Graduate School.

Students in the research and project tracks must complete courses (not including supplementary courses) to a total of 23 academic credits. Students in the final assignment track must complete courses (not including supplementary courses) to a total of 31 credits.

The program lasts at least two years for students who do not need to take supplementary courses, and at least three years for students with supplementary course requirements.

Core Courses

Mandatory core courses in the program are as follows:

Notes:

1. The grade given in the Thesis Seminar will be either “pass” or “fail”.
2. *Students with a strong grounding in mathematics will be required to take an alternative core course.

Not all courses are offered every year. Each year’s course list will be published at the beginning of the year.