Concentrations and Minors

Brief descriptions of the concentrations are listed below. For more detailed information, see the Master of Engineering Student Handbook and Master of Engineering Tour.

Applied Operations Research

The Applied Operations Research Concentration (AOR) is the most general of the concentrations and allows the most flexibility with respect to elective courses. The AOR concentration is most appropriate for students with undergraduate degrees in ORIE who want to increase the depth and breadth of their exposure to operations research and its applications, and for those with undergraduate degrees in other fields who want to gain a solid foundation in the theory and practice of OR.

Data Analytics

The Data Analytics Concentration focuses on the theory and tools needed to make fact-based, data-driven decisions associated with the development, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods, and services. The required course work for this concentration consists of three complementary areas that are collectively essential for effective data analysis.

Financial Engineering

The Financial Engineering Concentration (FE) prepares students for careers that involve the quantitative analysis and management of financial instruments and risk. Such jobs frequently involve: (1) mathematical modeling and analysis of stocks, bonds, options, currency exchange rates, and other structured products, (2) developing quantitative models to help corporations understand and manage their exposure to risk, and/or (3) implementing algorithms to monitor, price, and/or trade financial instruments. Unlike other concentrations, FE is specifically designed to be a three-semester program (Fall-Spring-Fall), with the third (i.e., second fall) semester taking place at Cornell Financial Engineering Manhattan in New York City.

Information Technology

The Information Technology Concentration (IT) prepares students to participate in the development, acquisition, and integration of information systems (particularly those embodying OR approaches) to ensure that strategic business needs are satisfied. Students who elect this concentration will be introduced to the essentials of information technology and ways to bring it to bear in enterprise environments to assist real decision making.

Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering

Students prepare to use their operations research skills to great effect in manufacturing environments. This concentration covers all aspects of the design, production, and distribution of goods and services, as well as the fundamentals of modern manufacturing technology, and the use of computers for design, analysis and management of manufacturing processes.

Strategic Operations

The keystone of the Strategic Operations concentration (commonly called the Semester in Strategic Operations or SSO) is the Strategic Operations Immersion offered by the Johnson School. This intensive “supercourse” occupies the majority of the spring semester and provides a comprehensive treatment of how business and operations strategies are aligned and executed for success, including product design, logistics, quality control, corporate organization, employee organization and compensation, marketing, and globalization. Graduate students from the College of Engineering, the Johnson School, and the School of Industrial and Labor Relations participate.

SSO instruction is primarily project and case oriented, based more on interactive discussion than lecture. The course material is integrated with company site visits and team-based project work with industry partners. The ORIE MEng project requirement is fulfilled within the context of the SSO framework.

Systems Engineering Minor

The Systems Engineering Minor prepares students to meet the increasing need from industry for engineers who go beyond the expertise in a particular engineering discipline. Within this minor program, students with diverse interdisciplinary skills integrate engineering system components, ensure total system operability, and evaluate various economic forces in the marketplace.