Mathematical Optimization is the field of mathematics that deals with the problems of management in business and government. It involves constructing mathematical models of complex real world situations and then applying sophisticated techniques to these models in order to make optimal, or near optimal, decisions. The three major components of the discipline of Mathematical Optimization are Optimization, Statistics, and Computer Science.
The honours plan in Mathematical Optimization combines a solid foundation in mathematics with special sequences of courses in economics, business, and management science. The mathematics portion of the plan includes linear programming, modeling, scheduling, forecasting, decision theory, and computer simulation.
From Fortune 500 companies to startups, nearly all businesses can benefit from employees with an expertise in Mathematical Optimization. The website www.scienceofbetter.org describes Mathematical Optimization applications in industry. Industries where our students are currently employed include:
- Finance and banking
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Distribution
- Health services
- Education
- Government agencies
Students proceeding to a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) degree find that a degree in mathematics, emphasizing Mathematical Optimization, together with relevant work-term experience, is an excellent preparation for a rewarding career. For more information on our graduate programs, visit our graduate students page.
The following is the official calendar description of the requirements for completing the Mathematical Optimization honours degree.
For your convenience, the following are checklists for the Operations Research and Business specializations for the most recent calendar year.