Department of Operations Research
Chair
David L. Alderson, Ph.D.
Glasgow Hall, Room 239
(831) 656-1814, DSN 756-1814
FAX (831) 656-2595
dlalders@nps.edu
Associate Chair, Research
Roberto Szechtman, Ph.D.
Glasgow Hall, Room 254
(831) 656-3311, DSN 756-3311
FAX (831) 656-2595
rszechtm@nps.edu
Associate Chair, Operations
TBD
Associate Chair, Instruction
Javier Salmeron, Ph.D.
Glasgow Hall, Room 214
(831) 656-2779, DSN 756-2779
FAX (831) 656-2595
jsalmero@nps.edu
Associate Chair, Distributed Programs
Steven E. Pilnick, Ph.D.
Glasgow Hall, Room 291
(831) 656-2283, DSN 756-2283
FAX (831) 656-2595
spilnick@nps.edu
* The year of joining the Naval Postgraduate School faculty is indicated in parentheses.
David L. Alderson, Professor (2006); Ph.D., Stanford University, 2003.
Jeffrey Appleget, Senior Lecturer (2009); Ph.D., Naval Postgraduate School, 1999.
Susan K. Aros, Assistant Professor Research (2006); Ph.D., UT Austin, 2006.
Michael Atkinson, Associate Professor (2009); Ph.D., Stanford University, 2009.
Robert Bassett, Assistant Professor (2018); Ph.D., University of California Davis, 2018.
W. Matthew Carlyle, Professor (2002); Ph.D., Stanford University, 1997.
Louis Chen, Assistant Professor (2019); Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2019.
Emily Craparo, Associate Professor (2010); Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008.
Daniel Eisenberg, Research Assistant Professor (2018); Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2018.
Nelson Emmons, M.S., U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY, 1997 and 2013.
Geraldo L. Ferrer, Professor, (2004); Ph.D., INSEAD, 1997.
Robert Froberg, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army, Military Assistant Professor (2023); Ph.D. North Dakota State University, 2019.
Thomas A. Hamrick, Lecturer (2006); M.S., Naval Postgraduate School, 1997.
Jefferson Huang, Assistant Professor (2018); Ph.D., Stony Book University, 2016.
Bryan J. Hudgens, Senior Lecturer (2005); M.S., Air Force Institute of Technology, 1997.
Jeffrey E. Kline, Professor of Practice (2005); M.S., Naval Postgraduate School, 1991.
Kyle Y. Lin, Professor (2004); University of California at Berkeley, 2000.
Thomas W. Lucas, Professor (1998); Ph.D., University of California at Riverside, 1991.
Mary McDonald, Research Associate (2008); M.S., Naval Postgraduate School, 1997.
Gregory K. Mislick, Senior Lecturer (2005); M.S., Naval Postgraduate School, 1988.
Claire M. Modica, LCDR, MSC, USN, Military Assistant Professor (2023); Ph.D., University at Buffalo, 2016.
Steven E. Pilnick, Senior Lecturer (1999); Ph.D., Naval Postgraduate School, 1989.
Eva Regnier, Professor (2001); Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2001.
Javier Salmeron, Professor (2000); Ph.D., Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 1998.
Harrison Schramm, Senior Lecturer (2010); M.S., Naval Postgraduate School, 2006.
Chad Seagren, Senior Lecturer (2003); Ph.D., George Mason University, 2010.
Dashi Singham, Research Associate Professor (2010); Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, 2010.
Matthew Smith, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Military Assistant Professor (2022); Ph.D. Stanford University, 2017.
Roberto Szechtman, Professor (2003); Ph.D., Stanford University, 2001.
Stephen Upton, Research Associate (2007); Applied Scientist, George Washington University, 2005.
Ruriko (Rudy) Yoshida, Associate Professor (2016); Ph.D., University of California at Davis, 2004.
Adrian Zavala, Research Associate (2020); B.S., U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 2006.
Emeritus Professors
Gordon H. Bradley, Professor Emeritus (1973); Ph.D., Northwestern University, 1967.
Gerald G. Brown, Distinguished Professor Emeritus (1973); Ph.D., University of California at Los Angeles, 1974.
Samuel E. Buttrey, Associate Professor (1996); Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, 1996.
James N. Eagle, Professor Emeritus (1982); Ph.D., Stanford University, 1975.
Patricia A. Jacobs, Distinguished Professor Emeritus (1978); Ph.D., Northwestern University (1973).
Moshe Kress, Distinguished Professor (2003); Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, 1981.
Peter Purdue, Professor Emeritus (1986); Ph.D., Purdue University, 1972.
Susan M. Sanchez, Distinguished Professor Emeritus (2000); Ph.D., Cornell University, 1986.
David A. Schrady, Distinguished Professor Emeritus (1965); Ph.D., Case Institute of Technology, 1965.
Nita Lewis Shattuck, Professor (2000); Ph.D., University of Texas, 1982.
Michael G. Sovereign, Professor Emeritus (1970); Ph.D., Purdue University, 1965.
Alan R. Washburn, Distinguished Professor Emeritus (1970); Ph.D., Carnegie Institute of Technology, 1965.
Lyn R. Whitaker, Professor Emeritus (1988); Ph.D., University of California at Davis, 1985.
R. Kevin Wood, Distinguished Professor Emeritus (1982); Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, 1982.
Brief Overview
Operations Research (OR) originated during World War II as a response to tactical problems relating to the effective and efficient operation of weapon systems, and to operational problems relating to the deployment and employment of military forces. Since then, OR has evolved into a full-scale, scientific discipline that is practiced widely by analysts in industry, government, and the military.
OR is the science of helping people and organizations make better decisions. More formally, it is the development and application of mathematical models, statistical analyses, simulations, analytical reasoning, and common sense to the understanding and improvement of real-world operations. Improvement can be measured by the minimization of cost, maximization of efficiency, or optimization of other relevant measures of effectiveness.
The military uses OR at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels. OR improves decision making and facilitates insights into the phenomena of combat. OR applications cover the gamut of military activities including: national policy analysis, resource allocation, force composition and modernization, logistics, human resources (recruiting, retention, promotion, training, and personnel assignment), battle planning, flight operations scheduling, intelligence, command and control, weapon selection (weapon system effectiveness, cost, compatibility, and operability), engagement tactics (fire control, maneuver, target selection, and battle damage assessment), maintenance and replenishment, and search and rescue.
The Naval Postgraduate School's Operations Research Department offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. In 2026, it celebrates the 75th anniversary of its curriculum, which was the first educational program in OR in the United States. It is one of the oldest, largest, and highest-ranking OR departments in the country. It is without peer in terms of the extent to which graduate education is integrated with a commitment to solving real military problems. Our students and faculty use the latest mathematical modeling ideas and computing technology to penetrate deeply into the analysis of important real-world problems. Analysis is a key word; NPS operations researchers frequently influence decisions and serve as agents for change.
For further information, see the OR Department Website: https://nps.edu/web/or.
Degree
Master of Science in Operations Research
Master of Science in Applied Science (Operations Research)
Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research
Master of Operational Analysis (Warfare)
Master of Operational Modeling and Analysis
Master of Systems Analysis
Master of Cost Estimation and Analysis
Certificates
Cost Estimation and Analysis Certificate
Human Systems Integration Certificate
Systems Analysis Certificate
Data Science (joint with Department of Computer Science)
Operational Data Science and Statistical Machine Learning
Warfare Analysis
Operations Research Course Descriptions
OA Courses
OS Courses