Ph.D. PROGRAM POLICY …

                                Ph.D. PROGRAM POLICY

                            Department of Operational Sciences
                      Graduate School of Engineering and Management
                             Air Force Institute of Technology

                                         AFIT/ENS
                              2950 Hobson Way, Building 641
                           Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7765

                            (937) 255-3636 Ext. 4631 (DSN 785)




14 September 2005

//signed//
Lt Col Marvin A. Arostegui
Interim Head, Department of Operational Sciences




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              OPERATIONS RESEARCH Ph.D. PROGRAM POLICY



1. The Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree entails completion of rigorous coursework
requirements that prepare the student for advanced research and analysis in a chosen field
of study. The doctoral degree is generally characterized as a research degree with
substantial emphasis placed on the completion of the dissertation research.

Close interaction between the student and his/her research advisory committee plays a
pivotal role in the successful completion of the Ph.D. program. Equally important is the
discipline and dedication of the student, as independent study is a critical element for
timely program completion.

1.1. The Air Force Institute of Technology Ph.D. in Operations Research
Doctoral study in Operations Research (OR) provides a path for Air Force and
Department of Defense (DoD) personnel (service members as well as civilians) to pursue
research topics in advanced Operations Research. Typically, Air Force officers selected
for Ph.D. programs carry a specialty code of 61S3, and civilian employees an occupation
series of 1500. With the advent of the Dayton Area Graduate Studies Institute (DAGSI)
program, non-DoD students may also pursue doctoral study in Operations Research at the
Air Force Institute of Technology. Admission requirements for civilian or DoD students
(full- or part-time) are the same. Non-Air Force quota DoD students and DAGSI
students do not affect the Air Force educational quotas outlined in Section 1.2.

1.2. Air Force Quota Personnel
Air Force Ph.D. educational quotas in Operations Research (Education Code 0YEY) and
Operational Analysis (Education Code 0YSY) have been established to satisfy three
general categories of Air Force needs: (1) At-large slots referred to as "Air Force
sponsored," (2) Pipeline instructor slots with a commitment to join the AFIT faculty upon
completion of the degree, and (3) U.S. Air Force Academy instructor slots.

Category (1) slots provide analysts for any 0YEY or 0YSY Ph.D. assignments in the Air
Force while the others are specifically geared toward faculty assignments. Applicants
interested in either category (1) or category (2) should indicate their preference when
they apply. Category (3) slots are controlled by the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA),
which sends selected faculty for a doctoral degree upon completion of an initial teaching
assignment.

1.3. Eligibility and Admission Requirements for the Ph.D. Program
To be considered for a Ph.D. slot, an applicant must first establish eligibility by
submitting a request for review of eligibility, including transcripts and Graduate Record
Examination (GRE) scores, to the AFIT Registrar's Office (AFIT/RR).


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DAGSI students may apply directly to AFIT/RR but are also encouraged to review the
DAGSI home page (http://www.dagsi.org). Exceptions are made only for students
currently enrolled in the master's programs in residence at AFIT who seek extension
directly into the Ph.D. program. In such cases, the Operations Research faculty performs
the eligibility screening. In addition to the requirements listed above, all applicants are
required to submit a letter to the departmental point of contact for Applications and
Personnel Matters (see end of this guide) summarizing their background and potential
research interests. Additionally, each student must submit a short essay (no more than
one page) describing his/her reasons for pursuing doctoral studies.

In accordance with the AFIT Doctoral Council Policy Letters, a student possessing a
master's degree who seeks to enter a doctoral program must meet the following minimum
requirements:

   (1)   A quality bachelor's degree with grades averaging at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
   (2)   A quality master's degree with grades averaging at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
   (3)   Successful completion of a master's thesis is very desirable
   (4)   GRE scores of at least 550 (verbal) and 650 (quantitative)

Eligibility also requires background, education, and experience compatible with
advanced graduate study in Operations Research. (Typically, students entering the Ph.D.
program will possess a M.S. degree in operations research, mathematics, engineering,
statistics, or quantitative analysis.) Application packages not meeting the minimum
eligibility requirements are referred to the Operations Research faculty of the Department
of Operational Sciences for review and recommendation.

The student's prior coursework should enable him/her to complete the Operations
Research core courses listed below, as well as the mathematics requirement described in
Section 3.4. (Prospective students should contact the Department for an assessment if
needed.) If a prospective student does not meet these requirements, remedial coursework
(beyond the Ph.D. requirements) will be necessary. The prerequisites for the Operations
Research core courses are given below:


Core Course                                                     Prerequisite Course(s)
OPER 612 Nonlinear Programming                                  OPER 610
OPER 641 Stochastic Modeling and Analysis II                    OPER 540
OPER 660 Statistical Aspects of Simulation: Input Analysis      OPER 561, OPER 679
OPER 683 Response Surface Methodology                           OPER 679

A complete listing of course descriptions for Operations Research may be found at
http://en.afit.edu/ens/courses/orcourses.htm.

Each year, the AFIT Registrar forwards records of all eligible applicants for the Ph.D.
program to the Department of Operational Sciences for review. The Department
considers this pool along with potential, in-resident masters degree candidates at AFIT.


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Assessing the research potential of each candidate is an integral part of the evaluation
process. The Department returns a prioritized list of candidates to the Registrar, who then
forwards the list to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC). Final assignment decisions
are made by AFPC. DAGSI and other DoD non-quota students may be considered at
anytime. Once eligibility has been established, the applicant is notified by letter.
Likewise, AFPC is informed of the eligibility and, if applicable, the volunteer status of
the candidate.



2. AFIT Ph.D. Coursework Requirements
The Department of Operational Sciences administers AFIT's Ph.D. program in
Operations Research. Candidates selected to fill 0YSY billets are expected to take a
track of operational modeling courses. Requirements for the Ph.D. degree include 48
hours of coursework beyond the master's degree and a period of full-time research
leading to successful completion of the doctoral dissertation. The three required
coursework areas are: (i) specialty area requirements (24 hrs), (ii) minor area
requirements (12 hrs), and (iii) mathematics requirements (12 hrs). Each of these
requirements are described in the subsections that follow.

2.1. Specialty Area
"The minimum 24 hours of specialty area courses may consist of courses from more than
one department as long as these courses form an integrated program designed to make the
student an expert in the chosen area of research. In some cases this may require more
than 24 hours. These specialty courses normally build on the individual student's MS
program and will include a minimum of first year graduate courses. The bulk of the
specialty should consist of the most advanced courses available in the chosen area of
research. These may include up to 12 hours of [OPER] 899, Special Studies. Dissertation
research hours, [OPER] 999, including prospectus preparation, may not be included in
the required 24 hours of specialty area." Doctoral Council Policy Letter, Ph.D. Degree
Requirements

2.2. Minor Area
"The minor is intended to be a broadening graduate sequence. The minor courses may be
in the same department as the specialty, but normally they will represent a different
subject matter from the specialty. The minor may include first year graduate courses but
if undergraduate prerequisites are necessary they will be in addition to the 12 hours
required." Doctoral Council Policy Letter, Ph.D. Degree Requirements

The minor sequence is intended to broaden the student's exposure to graduate
coursework. Successful completion of the minor area of study also includes completion
of a minor examination requirement. Operations Research Ph.D. students have
considerable flexibility when establishing a minor area of study. A student may choose
an area within operations research other than his or her specialty area (see Section 4);



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however, the minor may also originate in another department. Some examples of minor
areas include applied statistics, mathematics, and computer science.

2.3. Mathematics Requirement
"Ph.D. studies at AFIT are to include the study of mathematics and/or statistics. In order
to complete this area of study successfully, the student must successfully complete (grade
of B or better) three courses (minimum of 12 quarter-hours credit) offered by the AFIT
Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the 6XX level or above."

"Courses from DAGSI partner schools, if approved, may be used to meet this
requirement. The student shall petition the AFIT Department of Mathematics and
Statistics, preferably in advance, to approve such DAGSI courses as being appropriate in
content area and level." Doctoral Council Policy Letter, Mathematics Requirement.

Specific mathematics requirements for Ph.D. students in Operations Research are
outlined in Section 3.4.


3. General Requirements of the Ph.D. Program in Operations Research
3.1. Operations Research Core Courses
The Operations Research Core coursework requirement is designed to provide broad
exposure to the key areas of operations research at a level commensurate with Ph.D.
study. The Ph.D. Core consists of the following courses:

OPER 612: Nonlinear Programming
OPER 641: Stochastic Modeling and Analysis II
OPER 660: Statistical Aspects of Simulation: Input Analysis
OPER 683: Response Surface Methodology

Ph.D. students must satisfy the Ph.D. core requirements by explicitly completing the
aforementioned courses, or by equivalent courses completed at other academic
institutions. The Department will review external courses to determine their suitability
for substitution in the core requirements. Note: Students may apply at most two core
courses to satisfy either specialty or minor area coursework requirements.

3.2. Specialty Area
The specialty area is a specific concentration of Operations Research focused on the
dissertation research. A specialty sequence shall consist of courses from the Ph.D. core
as well as elective courses to provide depth and focus for the research. The courses that
constitute the specialty area are established in consultation with the Advisor (see Section
4 of this guide). This becomes part of the student's official Ph.D. program of study and is
recorded in accordance with policy in Doctoral Council Policy Letter, Student Record.




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3.3. Minor Area
The minor area is a related area of study designed to support and/or complement the
specialty area. The courses that constitute the minor area are established in consultation
with the Advisor and other appropriate faculty members if the minor originates in a
program other than Operations Research. The minor courses become part of the student's
official Ph.D. program of study, and are recorded in accordance with Doctoral Council
Policy Letter, Student Record.

3.4. Operations Research Mathematics Requirement
In accordance with the AFIT Ph.D. mathematics requirement (see Section 2.3), Ph.D.
students in Operations Research are required to complete MATH 600 and MATH 621.
In addition, a third course (MATH or STAT 6XX or higher) is required that supports the
Ph.D. program in Operations Research.

3.5. Research Advisor and Committee
For general guidance on selection of Pro-Tem and Research advisor, Ph.D. students are
referred to the Doctoral Council Policy Letter, Pro-Tem Advisor and Research Advisor.
For doctoral students in Operations Research, the Research Advisor and at least one other
member of the student's committee must be members of the full-time, permanent
Operations Research faculty.

New students are to report to the Head of the Operational Sciences Department. The
Head, in consultation with the Ph.D. program director, will appoint a Pro-Tem advisor for
the student. This selection will be made in light of considerations including: student
research interests, faculty workload, and the general guidance given in the Doctoral
Council's Policy Letters. The duties of the Pro-Tem are specified in the Doctoral
Council's Policy Letters. Specifically, the Pro-Tem advisor will ensure that an initial
education plan is drafted and approved by the Head of the Department of Operational
Sciences and that the student is registered for classes in his/her first academic term.
Moreover, the Pro-Tem advisor is to ensure that the new student meets and discusses
research interests with each member of the Operations Research faculty.


3.6. Examinations and Dissertation Defense
The conduct of the Specialty, Minor, and Prospectus examinations, as well as the
dissertation defense, are respectively outlined in the Doctoral Council Policy Letters,
Specialty Examination, Minor Examination, Prospectus Examination, and Evaluation
and Defense of the Dissertation.

3.7. Residency Requirements
The residency requirement for the Ph.D. program is three quarters of full-time study in
residence during any contiguous four-quarter period [ENOI 36-114, 24 July 2001].


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3.8. Doctoral Dissertation
As with all doctoral programs, the AFIT resident Ph.D. program requires completion of a
doctoral dissertation. The dissertation research should result in a significant and original
archival contribution to the literature of the field. The AFIT dissertation is also generally
oriented toward a topic of relevance to the US Air Force. For a complete listing of Ph.D.
dissertations completed in the Operations Research Program, please visit the web site:
http://en.afit.edu/ens/research/theses/diss.htm.


4. Specialty Areas of Operations Research
The areas of specialty, as defined by the Operations Research faculty of the Department
of Operational Sciences, are as follows: (i) Optimization, (ii) Stochastic Operations
Research, (iii) Simulation, (iv) Applied Statistics, and (v) Decision Analysis. Each
specialty is described in the subsections that follow. Courses marked with an asterisk (*)
are those currently under development in the Department.

4.1. Optimization Specialty Area
Requirements for the Specialty (9 hrs)
OPER 612: Nonlinear Programming
OPER 613: Integer Programming
OPER 617: Networks and Combinatorial Optimization

Elective Courses (No less than 15 hrs)
OPER 614: Dynamic Programming
OPER 615: Large Scale Systems Optimization
OPER 616: Graph Theory
OPER 621: Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
OPER 623: Heuristic Search Methods
OPER 626: Scheduling Theory
OPER 628: Analysis of Algorithms with OR Applications
OPER 629: Project Management
OPER 710: Advanced Linear Programming and Extensions
OPER 712: Advanced Mathematical Programming
OPER 713: Advanced Integer Programming
OPER 7xx: Stochastic Programming*
OPER 899: Independent Study

Notes: (i) OPER 610 may not be used to satisfy any Ph.D. coursework requirements for
the specialty area; (ii) at least six (6) credit hours of electives must be at the 700-level or
higher; (iii) the three-course mathematics requirement may not be used to satisfy elective
requirements.




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Minor in Optimization (OR students)
Doctoral students in the Operations Research program not specializing in Optimization
may elect an Optimization minor. The minor coursework (at least 12 hours) must include
either OPER 612 or OPER 613 and nine (9) additional credit hours chosen from among
the following courses:

OPER 612: Nonlinear Programming
OPER 613: Integer Programming
OPER 614: Dynamic Programming
OPER 615: Large Scale Systems Optimization
OPER 616: Graph Theory
OPER 617: Networks and Combinatorial Optimization
OPER 621: Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
OPER 623: Heuristic Search Methods
OPER 626: Scheduling Theory
OPER 628: Analysis of Algorithms with OR Applications
OPER 629: Project Management
OPER 710: Advanced Linear Programming and Extensions
OPER 712: Advanced Mathematical Programming
OPER 713: Advanced Integer Programming
OPER 7xx: Stochastic Programming*
OPER 899: Independent Study

Minor in Optimization (Non-OR students)
Doctoral students in programs other than Operations Research may elect a minor in
Optimization. The minor coursework must consist of at least 12 hours chosen from the
courses listed below. Non-OR students may take OPER 610 as one of their minor courses
if they have not previously taken the course or its equivalent at another academic
institution.

OPER 612: Nonlinear Programming
OPER 613: Integer Programming
OPER 614: Dynamic Programming
OPER 615: Large Scale Systems Optimization
OPER 616: Graph Theory
OPER 617: Networks and Combinatorial Optimization
OPER 621: Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
OPER 623: Heuristic Search Methods
OPER 626: Scheduling Theory
OPER 628: Analysis of Algorithms with OR Applications
OPER 629: Project Management
OPER 710: Advanced Linear Programming and Extensions
OPER 712: Advanced Mathematical Programming
OPER 713: Advanced Integer Programming
OPER 7xx: Stochastic Programming*
OPER 899: Independent Study



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4.2. Stochastic Operations Research
Requirements for the Specialty (9 hrs)
OPER 641: Stochastic Modeling and Analysis II
OPER 647: Queueing System Analysis
OPER 741: Advanced Stochastic Modeling

Elective Courses (No less than 15 hrs, 9 hrs must be OPER)
OPER 613: Integer Programming
OPER 614: Dynamic Programming
OPER 617: Networks and Combinatorial Optimization
OPER 626: Scheduling Theory
OPER 628: Analysis of Algorithms with OR Applications
OPER 645: Risk Modeling and Analysis
OPER 684: Quantitative Forecasting Techniques
OPER 746: Advanced Topics in Reliability
OPER 747: Queueing Networks
OPER 760: Advanced Simulation
OPER 6xx: Markov Decision Processes*
OPER 7xx: Stochastic Programming*
OPER 899: Independent Study
EENG 765: Stochastic Estimation and Control I (Requires EENG 510 or SENG 525)
MATH 601: Complex Analysis
MATH 607: Calculus of Variations
MATH 611: Introduction to Partial Differential Equations
MATH 674: Numerical Analysis I
MATH 676: Numerical Analysis II
STAT 601: Theory of Probability
STAT 602: Mathematical Statistics
STAT 687: Mathematics of Reliability Theory I

Notes: (i) OPER 540 may not be used to satisfy any Ph.D. coursework requirements for
the specialty area; (ii) at least six (6) credit hours of electives must be at the 700-level or
higher; (iii) the three-course mathematics requirement may not be used to satisfy elective
requirements.

Minor in Stochastic Operations Research (OR students)
Doctoral students in the Operations Research program not specializing in Stochastic
Operations Research may elect a Stochastic Operations Research minor. The minor
coursework (at least 12 hours) must include OPER 647 and nine (9) additional credit
hours chosen from among the following courses:

OPER 641: Stochastic Modeling and Analysis II
OPER 645: Risk Modeling and Analysis
OPER 684: Quantitative Forecasting Techniques
OPER 741: Advanced Stochastic Modeling
OPER 746: Advanced Topics in Reliability


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OPER 747: Queueing Networks
OPER 6xx: Markov Decision Processes*
OPER 7xx: Stochastic Programming*
OPER 899: Independent Study
EENG 765: Stochastic Estimation and Control I (Requires EENG 510 or SENG 525)
STAT 601: Theory of Probability
STAT 687: Mathematics of Reliability Theory I

Minor in Stochastic Operations Research (Non-OR students)
Doctoral students in programs other than Operations Research may elect a minor in
Stochastic Operations Research. The minor coursework (at least 12 hours) must include
OPER 540 (or its equivalent) and nine (9) additional credit hours chosen from among the
following:

OPER 641: Stochastic Modeling and Analysis II
OPER 645: Risk Modeling and Analysis
OPER 647: Queueing System Analysis
OPER 684: Quantitative Forecasting Techniques
OPER 741: Advanced Stochastic Modeling
OPER 746: Advanced Topics in Reliability
OPER 747: Queueing Networks
OPER 6xx: Markov Decision Processes*
OPER 7xx: Stochastic Programming*
OPER 899: Independent Study
EENG 765: Stochastic Estimation and Control I (Requires EENG 510 or SENG 525)
STAT 601: Theory of Probability
STAT 687: Mathematics of Reliability Theory I

4.3. Simulation
Requirements for the Specialty (9 hrs)
OPER 647: Queueing System Analysis
OPER 660: Statistical Aspects of Simulation: Input Analysis
OPER 760: Statistical Aspects of Simulation: Output Analysis

Elective Courses (No less than 15 hrs, 9 hrs must be OPER)
OPER 614: Dynamic Programming
OPER 626: Scheduling Theory
OPER 628: Analysis of Algorithms with OR Applications
OPER 641: Stochastic Modeling and Analysis II
OPER 661: Object-Oriented Simulation
OPER 662: Advanced Topics in the High Level Architecture
OPER 685: Applied Multivariate Analysis I
OPER 747: Queueing Networks
OPER 6xx: Markov Decision Processes*
CSCE 682: 3-D Computer Graphics
STAT 601: Theory of Probability


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STAT 602: Mathematical Statistics
OPER 899: Independent Study

Notes: (i) OPER 561 may not be used to satisfy any Ph.D. coursework requirements for
the specialty area; (ii) the three-course mathematics requirement may not be used to
satisfy elective requirements.


Minor in Simulation (OR students)
Doctoral students in the Operations Research program not specializing in Simulation may
elect a Simulation minor. The minor coursework (at least 12 hours) must include OPER
760 and nine (9) additional credit hours chosen from among the following courses:

OPER 614: Dynamic Programming
OPER 647: Queueing System Analysis
OPER 660: Statistical Aspects of Simulation: Input Analysis
OPER 661: Object-Oriented Simulation
OPER 662: Advanced Topics in the High Level Architecture
OPER 685: Applied Multivariate Analysis I
OPER 6xx: Markov Decision Processes*
OPER 747: Queueing Networks
OPER 899: Independent Study

Minor in Simulation (Non-OR students)
Doctoral students in programs other than Operations Research may elect a minor in
Simulation. The minor coursework (at least 12 hours) must include OPER 561 or
equivalent and nine (9) additional credit hours chosen from among the following:

OPER 614: Dynamic Programming
OPER 647: Queueing System Analysis
OPER 660: Statistical Aspects of Simulation: Input Analysis
OPER 661: Object-Oriented Simulation
OPER 662: Advanced Topics in the High Level Architecture
OPER 683: Response Surface Methodology
OPER 685: Applied Multivariate Analysis I
OPER 6xx: Markov Decision Processes*
OPER 760: Statistical Aspects of Simulation: Output Analysis
OPER 899: Independent Study

4.4. Applied Statistics
The Department offers three subspecialty areas within the Applied Statistics specialty
area as summarized below. Additional coursework to fulfill the 24-hour specialty area
requirement, including at least six (6) credit hours at the 700-level or higher, may be
chosen at the discretion of the student and the Research Advisor.




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Statistical Process Modeling and Control (9 hrs)
OPER 681: Statistical Process Control
OPER 683: Response Surface Methodology
OPER 684: Quantitative Forecasting Techniques

Statistical Aspects of Simulation (9 hrs)
OPER 647: Queueing System Analysis
OPER 660: Statistical Aspects of Simulation: Input Analysis
OPER 760: Statistical Aspects of Simulation: Output Analysis
Applied Multivariate Statistics (9 hrs)
OPER 685: Applied Multivariate Analysis I
OPER 785: Applied Multivariate Analysis II: Pattern Recognition
OPER 786: Applied Multivariate Analysis III: Advanced Topics

Minor in Applied Statistics (OR students only)
Doctoral students in the Operations Research program not specializing in Applied
Statistics may elect an Applied Statistics minor. The minor coursework (at least 12
hours) may include any four of the above listed courses.

4.5. Decision Analysis (This Specialty Area is Under Construction)
Core Requirements for the Specialty (12 hrs)
OPER 643: Advanced Decision Analysis
OPER 645: Risk Modeling and Analysis
OPER 743: Decision Analysis Practice
OPER 7xx: Advanced Risk and Decision Analysis*

Economic Analysis Requirement (3 hrs)
OPER 631: Economic Analysis II
OPER 632: Cost Analysis for Systems Design

Operational Analysis Requirement (3 hrs)
OPER 671: Combat Modeling I
OPER 672: Combat Modeling II
OPER 674: Joint Mobility Modeling
OPER 676: Information Operations Research

Electives Courses (No less than 6 hrs)
OPER 621: Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
OPER 631: Economic Analysis II
OPER 685: Applied Multivariate Analysis I
OPER 6xx: Multi-Attribute Utility Theory*
OPER 785: Applied Multivariate Analysis II: Pattern Recognition
OPER 899: Independent Study




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Minor in Decision Analysis (OR Students)
Doctoral students in the Operations Research program not specializing in Decision
Analysis may elect a Decision Analysis minor. The minor coursework (at least 12 hours)
may be chosen from among the following:

Required Sequence (6 hrs)
OPER 643: Advanced Decision Analysis
OPER 6xx: Multi-Attribute Utility Theory*
OPER 743: Decision Analysis Practice

Or

OPER 645: Risk Modeling and Analysis
OPER 7xx: Advanced Risk and Decision Analysis*

Electives (No less than 6 hrs)
OPER 621: Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
OPER 631: Economic Analysis II
OPER 632: Cost Analysis for Systems Design
OPER 671: Combat Modeling I
OPER 672: Combat Modeling II
OPER 674: Joint Mobility Modeling
OPER 676: Information Operations Research
OPER 685: Applied Multivariate Analysis I
OPER 785: Applied Multivariate Analysis II: Pattern Recognition
OPER 899: Independent Study




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Points of Contact :

Academic and Program Matters:
Dr. Kenneth W. Bauer, Jr., Program Director
Department of Operational Sciences
Phone: (937) 255-6565 x 4328 (DSN 785)
Email: Kenneth.Bauer@afit.edu
URL: http://en.afit.edu/ens/bauer

Applications and Personnel Matters:
Lt Col Dave Denhard
Department of Operational Sciences
Phone: (937) 255-3355 x 3325 (DSN 785)
Email: David.Denhard@afit.edu




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