Operations Analysis - Curriculum 360
Program Officer
Matt Geiser, CDR, USN
Code GB, Ingersoll Hall, Room 219A
(831) 656-3953, DSN 756-3953
mtgeiser1@nps.edu
Academic Associate
Kyle Lin, Ph.D.
Glasgow Hall, Room 260
(831) 656-2648, DSN 756-2648
FAX (831) 656-2595
kylin@nps.edu
Brief Overview
The Operations Analysis (OA) curriculum was founded by the Navy in 1951, to retain, develop, and promulgate the methods of Operations Research (OR) that were used so successfully in World War II. 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. Practitioners are called on to advise military and civilian decision makers on the allocation of scarce resources, the selection of new equipment and processes, and the optimal deployment of given resources to achieve required missions.
Mathematics, probability, statistics, and optimization supply the theoretical background for analyzing alternative choices in tactical and strategic warfare, and in planning, budgeting, and procurement of systems and forces. The student learns computational methods and develops skills to identify relevant information, formulate decision criteria, and select alternatives. This education enhances performance in all duties throughout a military career including operational billets, technical management assignments, and policy-making positions.
Requirements for Entry
A baccalaureate degree with above-average grades is required. Completion of mathematics through single variable differential and integral calculus with above-average grades is considered minimal preparation. Students without these quantitative prerequisites will be accepted in cases where their undergraduate records indicate that they are exceptional students and there are other indicators of potential. An academic profile code (APC) of 235 is required. Waivers will be considered for an APC of 345.
Convenes
Fall, Spring
Degree
Requirements for the Master of Science degree are met en route to satisfy the Educational Skill Requirements of the curricular program as well as Service Intermediate-level PME and Phase I Joint PME credit.
Master of Science in Applied Science (Operations Research)
Students with acceptable academic backgrounds may enter a program leading to a degree in Applied Science with a major in Operations Research. The program of each student seeking this degree must contain a minimum of 20 quarter-hours in operations research at the graduate level, including work at the 4000 level. Additionally, a sequence of at least 12 hours of graduate level courses representing a specialization in some area other than that of the major. A total minimum of 12 quarter-hours at the 4000 level, plus an acceptable thesis, is required. This program provides depth and diversity through specially arranged course sequences to meet the needs of the Navy and the interests of the individual. The Department Chairman's approval is required for all programs leading to this degree. Applications to include this degree in dual master's programs will not be approved.
Master of Science in Operations Research
The Master of Science in Operations Research degree requires:
- Completion of a minimum of 40 quarter-hours of graduate-level courses with:
- At least 20 quarter-hours of 4000-level courses, of which at least 16 are OA.
- An elective sequence approved by the Chairman, Department of Operations Research.
- Submission of an acceptable thesis on a subject previously approved by the Chairman, Department of Operations Research.
Subspecialty
Completion of this curriculum qualifies an officer as an Operations Analysis Subspecialist with a subspecialty code of 3211P and JPME Phase I education certification for students whose orders include the extra quarter for JPME. The community manager for the OA subspecialty is the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Assessment Division (OPNAV N81).
U.S. Marine Corps officers completing this curriculum fulfill the requirements for MOS 8850.
Typical Subspecialty Jobs
Defense Resources Management OPNAV Analyst
JCS Analyst Director, OPS Research: SACLANT
Assistant Staff OPS and PLANS: COMCARGRU Staff OPS and PLANS: COMTHIRDFLT
BUPERS OSD Analyst
OPS Analyst: Naval War College Instructor: NPS
Cost Analyst Warfare Analyst
Typical Course of Study (Naval Warfare Option)
Quarter 1
| MO2180 | Mathematical Foundations for Operations Research | | 4 | 1 |
| OA2801 | Computational Methods for Operations Research | | 4 | 1 |
| OA3101 | Probability | | 4 | 1 |
| OA2600 | Principles of Operations Analysis | | 4 | 0 |
Quarter 2
| OA3102 | Statistics | | 4 | 2 |
| OA3201 | Linear Programming | | 4 | 0 |
| OA3301 | Stochastic Models I | | 4 | 0 |
| OA3801 | Computational Methods for Operations Research II | | 3 | 1 |
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
Quarter 5 (First eight weeks)
| OA3602 | Search Theory and Detection | | 4 | 0 |
| OA4655 | Introduction to Joint Combat Modeling | | 4 | 0 |
| OA4801 | Spreadsheet Modeling for Military Operations Research | | 3 | 2 |
| (Last three weeks) Experience Tour/Thesis Research | | | |
Quarter 6
| ELECT | Elective OAXXXX | | | |
| OA4602 | Joint Campaign Analysis | | 4 | 0 |
| OA3304 | Decision Theory | | 4 | 0 |
| OA0810 | Thesis Research for Operations Analysis Students | | 0 | 8 |
Quarter 7
| ELECT | Elective OAXXXX | | | |
| OA4604 | Wargaming Applications | | 3 | 2 |
| NW3230 | Strategy and War | | 4 | 2 |
| OA0810 | Thesis Research for Operations Analysis Students | | 0 | 8 |
Educational Skill Requirements (ESR)
Operations Analysis - Curriculum 360
Subspecialty Code: 3211P
- MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTATION: The graduate will possess strong mathematical skills and advanced computer programming proficiency necessary for supporting graduate study in operations research. They will be adept at using computers for complex analysis, algorithm development, and simulation, enabling effective problem-solving and decision-making in operational contexts.
- DATA PREPARATION AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The graduate will possess strong skills in data preparation, including collecting, cleaning, and manipulating datasets to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency, enabling robust and reliable analysis. The graduate will be well-versed in applying probability, statistics, and data analysis to model and analyze a broad range of decision problems.
- OPTIMIZATION: The graduate will be able to formulate and solve a wide variety of optimization problems. They will understand and apply state-of-the-art algorithms used to solve linear, nonlinear, network, and integer programming problems.
- STOCHASTIC MODELING: The graduate will be able to formulate a wide variety of stochastic models; calculate measures of performance for them; and be well-versed in a broad range of advanced applications of discrete- and continuous-time Markov chains, homogeneous and nonhomogeneous Poisson processes, queueing theory, and renewal processes.
- SIMULATION: The graduate will be able to employ simulation methods to formulate and analyze mathematical models. They will use state-of-the-art design-of-experiments techniques in conjunction with industry-standard simulation tools to efficiently explore high-dimensional spaces and make informed recommendations.
- SYSTEMS ANALYSIS: The graduate will be able to apply systems analysis concepts to make key decisions on requirements, systems deployment, and other operational challenges, with a particular emphasis on risk-benefit and cost-benefit analysis.
- PRACTICE: The graduate will have experience in all aspects of an analytical study and will demonstrate the ability to conduct independent analytical studies, including a thesis. They will also be proficient in presenting the results both orally and in writing.
- ANALYSIS OF MILITARY APPLICATIONS: The graduate will have significant exposure to operations analysis techniques in the context of military planning and operational decision making, be able to model and apply these techniques to support concept development and military planning and develop appropriate decision support tools.
Curriculum Sponsor and ESR Approval Authority
The Major Area Sponsor (MAS) for the Operations Research Analysis subspecialty is Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Integration of Capabilities and Resources (OPNAV N8). The designated Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Operations Analysis curriculum is Director, Assessment Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N81). The Curriculum and ESR approval authority is Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfighting Development (OPNAV N7). (OA Curriculum Review conducted 21 August 2024.)