Program Overview

Introduction to the PhD Program in Analytics & Operations

The PhD program in Analytics & Operations at the National University of Singapore aims to nurture a small group of outstanding students to become world-class academicians and practitioners in the fields of Operations and Business Analytics. This multidisciplinary program incorporates areas in Operations Management, Business Analytics, Management Science, Economics, Statistics, and Operations Research.

Program Overview

The program is aligned with the PhD program offered by the Institute of Operations Research and Analytics (IORA). Through well-planned, sequenced PhD coursework and intense hands-on research experiences with faculty members on joint research projects, it imbues students with a broad spectrum of analytical methods. These methods include mathematical optimization, applied probability, econometrics, and equilibrium analysis, which can be applied to analyze, develop new insights, and improve decision-making in complex business operations environments.

Admission Criteria

Successful applicants are likely to have strong mathematical skills and outstanding degrees in any rigorous disciplines. The School admits PhD students every August, with admission in January considered only in very special cases.

Coursework Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 40 Units of courses, comprising 3 essential courses (4 Units each) and 7 elective courses (4 Units each).

Essential Courses

Students must read and pass 2 essential courses in the area of ‘Operations Research (OR)’ as both courses will be tested in the PhD Qualification Examination (Written QE) at the end of their first year of candidature.

• BDC6111/IE6001 Foundations of Optimisation
• BDC6112/IE6004 Stochastic Processes I
• BDC6307 Introduction to Data Analytics
• CS5339 Theory and Algorithms for Machine Learning

Elective Courses

Students have the flexibility to select elective courses to match their research interests. The elective courses are grouped into 3 categories: OR Methods, OR Modeling, and Data Analytics. Among the elective courses chosen, at least 2 courses (8 Units) must be in OR Methods, 1 course (4 Units) in OR Modeling, and 1 course (4 Units) in Data Analytics.

Qualifying Examination

Students must pass the PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) within the stipulated period to continue with the PhD program. The PhD Qualifying Examination consists of 2 parts: Written QE and Oral QE.

Written Examination

Part I evaluates the students’ mastery of the technical tools necessary for research and will be scheduled at the end of their study in Year 1. It comprises two closed-book written exams based on the core courses:

• BDC6111/IE6001 Foundations of Optimisation
• BDC6112/IE6004 Stochastic Processes I

Oral QE

The oral QE comprises two components:

1. Presentation of a research-oriented (RO) paper
2. Oral examination of 2 elective courses chosen by the student and approved by the thesis advisors. The elective courses chosen must be related to the student’s RO paper.

Thesis Requirements

Proposal Defense

After clearing the QE, students should begin to put together a proposal for the thesis. The proposal is an original idea for investigation put forth by the student, after an extensive study of the topic. The students are expected to detail the research question and also provide an outline of the study design.

Thesis Submission and Examination

Students are required to submit their thesis for examination after being approved by their supervisor(s) and the DAO Head of Department. The thesis must demonstrate the student’s ability to perform original, independent research, and represent the student’s work and significant contribution to the knowledge in the specific domain of research.

Research Areas

The program focuses on Operations and Business Analytics, with applications in logistics, supply chain management, manufacturing, service, transportation, and healthcare management. It incorporates areas in Operations Management, Business Analytics, Management Science, Economics, Statistics, and Operations Research.

Support and Resources

The School provides competitive four-year research scholarships for all qualified PhD students. Students can also receive supplemental support as teaching and/or research assistants. The School encourages and supports students’ participation at international conferences and workshops and is constantly introducing new fellowships and schemes promoting students’ development, including lecture series by distinguished professors.