Management Science Major, PhD

The PhD with a major in management science is designed to prepare students for research related to the application of analytical tools to complex decision making. Three primary objectives of the program are

• To provide, through relevant course work, a thorough knowledge of common analytical models and their uses in business. 
• To provide sufficient advanced study in a supporting area to qualify the graduate for a joint-faculty position in management science, business analytics, or any supporting area.  The candidate may choose from the business functional areas (accounting, finance, marketing, management, and supply chain management) or other disciplines (e.g., computer science, forestry, ecology, and public administration). 
• To develop in the student, through course work in management science, statistics, operations management, and computer science, a high degree of analytical maturity to enhance a potential career in management, research, or teaching.

Analytics concentration
The PhD concentration in analytics will focus on research specifically aimed at applying analytical tools for modeling and analyzing data to support decision making in complex real world systems in business and industry.

Admission

In addition to any other admission requirements for the Graduate School:

• Submit online graduate application to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Submit three recommendation forms.
• Submit a GRE or GMAT score.

Requirements

The minimum courses are BZAN 610 , BZAN 615 , BZAN 620 , BZAN 625  and BZAN 630 .

A minimum of 48 semester hours of course work taken for graduate credit (exclusive of thesis or dissertation) is required. Some of the hours may be the course work from a master’s program, although a master’s is not a prerequisite for the doctorate. The candidate must complete a minimum of 24 hours of PhD course work (work beyond the masters) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and at least 18 hours of the PhD course work must be at the 600 level. Both of these requirements are exclusive of thesis or dissertation credits. Entering students who have completed graduate studies in applicable fields will be granted course credits for work that is equivalent to required courses in the program. The program includes 6 semester hours of course work in an applied area.

Qualifying Examinations

The student must demonstrate mastery of probability theory and stochastic processes (BZAN 610 ) and Bayesian modeling and computations (BZAN 625  / STAT 625 ) by passing a written qualifying examination.

These requirements generally are completed by the end of the first year of the program.

There is no foreign language requirement.

Comprehensive Examination

Prior to admission to candidacy for the degree, and normally after completion of the second year of the program, the student must pass a written comprehensive examination covering the theory of deterministic and stochastic management science models. Topics included in this examination are determined on an individual basis. Students will be expected to demonstrate an integrative ability that goes beyond simple mastery of course content.

Research and Dissertation

The student must complete 24 hours of MGSC 600  (Doctoral Research and Dissertation), through which he/she is expected to make a significant contribution to the discipline. A final oral examination is conducted over the dissertation and such other segments of the program that the faculty committee deems appropriate. This effort, which is beyond the minimum 48 hours of course work, normally is completed in the third year of the program.

Academic Standards

A graduate student in the Haslam College of Business whose grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on probation. A student on probation will be dropped from the program unless his/her cumulative graduate grade point average is 3.0 or higher at the end of the probationary period. The probationary period is defined as the next semester’s course work as established by the degree program for full-time students and the next two semester’s course work as established by the degree program for part-time students.

Prerequisites for Management Science Courses

The management science program is interdisciplinary and students in other degree programs are encouraged to enroll in management science courses. Course prerequisites are designed to indicate the level at which courses are taught. Interested students whose prior course work does not match the prerequisites are encouraged to seek the instructor’s guidance and consent to enroll.