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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

      Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Graduate Certificate

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

      Credit offered

      Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months

    • U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Industrial Internet of Things Graduate Certificate

      Skills you'll gain: Machine Learning Algorithms, Real-Time Operating Systems, Big Data, User Research, User Experience Design, Product Development, User Experience, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Power Electronics, Verification And Validation, UI/UX Research, Analytics, Human Computer Interaction, Embedded Systems, Control Systems, Internet Of Things, User Interface (UI), Machine Controls, Embedded Software

      Credit offered

      Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      M

      Macquarie University

      Cyber Response and Recovery

      Skills you'll gain: Incident Response, Computer Security Incident Management, Security Management, Disaster Recovery, Cyber Risk, Threat Detection, Cyber Security Policies, Crisis Management, Threat Management, Business Continuity, Corporate Communications, Internal Communications, Root Cause Analysis, Continuous Improvement Process, Communication Planning

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 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, Android Development, Operating Systems, Database Design, Bioinformatics, Feature Engineering, User Interface (UI) Design, Threat Modeling, Algorithms, Version Control, Java Programming, Data Structures, Model View Controller, Computational Logic

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • U

      University of Leeds

      Master of Science in Data Science (Statistics)

      Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Machine Learning, Statistical Methods, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Network Analysis, Planning, Statistical Modeling, Applied Machine Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Dimensionality Reduction, Data Visualization Software, Supervised Learning, Exploratory Data Analysis, Decision Tree Learning, R Programming, Probability, Bayesian Statistics, Web Scraping, Data Analysis

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • H

      HEC Paris

      Executive MSc & MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Master of Public Health

      Skills you'll gain: Motivational Interviewing, Epidemiology, Health Disparities, Spatial Analysis, Plot (Graphics), Program Evaluation, Sampling (Statistics), Mergers & Acquisitions, Child Health, Survey Creation, Growth Mindedness, Database Design, GIS Software, Variance Analysis, Risk Analysis, Environmental Policy, Spatial Data Analysis, Research Design, Data Collection, Statistical Modeling

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • Status: New
      New
      C

      Case Western Reserve University

      Basic Principles of Geostatistical Geospatial Modeling

      Skills you'll gain: Geostatistics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Spatial Data Analysis, Spatial Analysis, Geospatial Mapping, Geospatial Information and Technology, Statistical Methods, Statistical Modeling, R Programming, Statistical Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Descriptive Statistics, Data Analysis, Regression Analysis, Correlation Analysis, Data Validation, Histogram, Box Plots, Simulation and Simulation Software

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Master of Applied Data Science

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

      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…340341342343

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

    • Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Graduate Certificate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Industrial Internet of Things Graduate Certificate: University of Colorado Boulder
    • Cyber Response and Recovery: Macquarie University
    • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: BITS Pilani
    • Master of Science in Data Science (Statistics): University of Leeds
    • Executive MSc & MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship: HEC Paris
    • Master of Public Health: University of Michigan
    • Basic Principles of Geostatistical Geospatial Modeling: Case Western Reserve University
    • Master of Applied Data Science: University of Michigan

    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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