Advanced Graduate Certificate Program in
Operations Research

The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Operations Research provides students with the fundamental applied mathematics tools for developing protocols for the efficient management of private companies, government agencies and non-profit organizations. In today's global marketplace, organizations need to be efficient to survive. The Operations Research program will provide formal training in methods of optimization, modeling and statistics used in operations research. The objective of this program is to help individuals assist organizations to make efficient use of their resources so as to maximize efficiency and minimize net cost. Graduates of this program may be able to advance in management and organizational planning positions within their current employment or obtain new employment. It is recommended that applicants to the program hold a bachelor's degree in mathematics, engineering or computer science.

The program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and articulates with the M.S. in Applied Mathematics and Statistics as well as the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies offered through SPD. If you intend to pursue the M.S. in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, please refer to the University's Graduate Bulletin for any additional admission requirements.

Computer Support Services
Students in this program are welcome to use the University's Computing Center, the central facility for instructional, research, and administrative computing. All students are eligible for a campus-based computer account and may use dial-up numbers for access from off-site locations.

Course of Study
This advanced graduate certificate program consists of 6 three-credit courses, chosen from the graduate curriculum of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. There are five required courses in the program and one elective course. The core courses have been carefully chosen to provide a broad-based background as well as in-depth exposure to the applied mathematical and statistical tools required to be successful on the job-site. The elective course can be any graduate course in applied mathematics and statistics, management and policy, or computer science, which has been approved in concert with the student's advisor as appropriate.

Required Courses - 15 credits
AMS 507/CET 551 Introduction to Probability
AMS 540/CET 552 Linear Programming
AMS 550/CET 553 Stochastic Models
AMS 553/CET 554 Simulation and Modeling
AMS 576/CET 555 Statistical Methods for Social Scientists

Elective - 3 credits
Any graduate course in applied mathematics and statistics, management and policy, or computer science, which has been approved by the student's advisor.

Timeline
All certificate requirements must be completed within three (3) years from the semester date of admission as a matriculated student. NOTE: If the certificate program is taken in collaboration with a graduate degree program, then the student has five years for completion of the certificate.

When a student is admitted or readmitted to an SPD degree or certificate program, students may petition SPD to have courses that are older than five (5) years, and no older than 10 years, individually evaluated by the appropriate department/faculty to determine if the credits may be applied toward current SPD degree/certificate requirements. Grades in such courses must be "B" or better. (B- grades are ineligible for review.)

How to Apply
Applications are accepted online via Apply Yourself. All applicants must provide a valid email address and must be using a web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) that is Javascript-enabled (as most browsers are). If you have any questions about the technical requirements, see the Apply Yourself website.

To complete the application process, you will need to do the following:

1. Complete an online orientation and submit the required online Orientation Checklist at the end of the online orientation section, under SIGN OUT.
2. Write a personal statement. We would like to know about special qualifications over and above those already cited on this application; your experience relative to the program to which you are applying; and how this certificate will help advance both your professional and personal goals. The statement should be a minimum of one and a maximum of five pages. Save the statement to your hard drive. (If you are not using Microsoft Word, you will need to save the document in a Text-Only or Rich Text Format.)
3. Go to the Apply Yourself website and click on the "Create Account" button. By creating an account, you will receive a unique ID so you can check your application status online.
4. Submit the nonrefundable $100 application fee, either via credit card, check, or money order. (Instructions are on the Apply Yourself website.)
5. Arrange to have an official, sealed copy of your transcript sent to SPD. Mailing address: School of Professional Development, N-201 Social & Behavioral Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-4310. (Full zip code must be used.) The transcript must show that you have earned a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (if your GPA is lower than 2.75, please see the note on Conditional Admission, below). If you earned your bachelor's from Stony Brook, SPD will access your transcript electronically.
6. Print, fill out, and return Immunization Form (PDF).

If you cannot complete the application online, you can call SPD (631.632.7050, option 3) and arrange to have an application sent to you. Please note, however, that printed applications take longer to process.

Conditional Admission
If your official transcript indicates an undergraduate cumulative GPA below 2.75, you will be considered for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted part-time students must achieve a 3.00 GPA after attempting six graduate credits (applicable to their program) at Stony Brook. Full-time students (12 or more credits) must achieve a 3.00 GPA after their first semester. If a 3.00 GPA is not achieved as aforementioned, students normally will not be permitted to re-enroll. However, a student may petition SPD's Committee on Academic Standing to be allowed to continue taking courses as a non-matriculating student.

Application Deadlines*

• July 15 for Fall admission.
• December 15 for Spring admission.
• March 15 for Summer admission.

*Applications may be accepted after these dates, but there may fewer course options available for late applicants

Contact Information
For academic questions, please contact:
Alan Tucker
Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Telephone: 631-632-8365
Email: ATucker@notes.cc.sunysb.edu

For admission and advisement questions, contact SPD at 631.632.7050 (option 3) or spd@stonybrook.edu.

Statement of Student Responsibility
Students themselves—whether new, returning, or continuing—are responsible for reviewing, understanding, and adhering to their degree and/or certificate program requirements. (SPD’s Non-matriculating (non-degree) Graduate Students [GSP] are responsible for adhering to the guidelines related to non-matriculated status.) All SPD students are responsible for reviewing, understanding, and complying with University and SPD regulations, policies, and procedures, as described in all official publications, the University website, and the SPD website, including, but not limited to, SPD’s online references, the SPD Student Handbook and SPD Academic Calendar.