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This archived information is dated to the 2008-09 academic year only and may no longer be current.
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Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09
Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09
Graduate courses in Management Science and Engineering
Primarily for graduate students; undergraduates may enroll with consent of instructor.
MS&E 201. Dynamic Systems
Goal is to think dynamically in decision making, and recognize and analyze dynamic phenomena in diverse situations. Concepts: formulation and analysis; state-space formulation; solutions of linear dynamic systems, equilibria, dynamic diagrams; eigenvalues and eigenvectors of linear systems, the concept of feedback; nonlinear dynamics, phase plane analysis, linearized analysis, Liapunov functions, catastrophe theory. Examples: grabber-holder dynamics, technology innovation dynamics, creation of new game dynamics in business competition, ecosystem dynamics, social dynamics, and stochastic exchange dynamics. Prerequisite: MATH 103 or equivalent.
3-4 units, Spr (Tse, E)
MS&E 206. Art of Mathematical Modeling
Practicum. Students build mathematical models of real-life, ill-framed problems. Emphasis is on framing the issues, articulating modeling components logically (drawing from student's mathematical background), and analyzing the resulting model. Hands-on modeling. Project work in small groups. Prerequisites: basic analysis, calculus and algebra, and probability theory. Recommended: decision analysis, optimization and dynamic systems.
3-4 units, Spr (Kieffel, H)
MS&E 207. Interactive Management Science
(Same as MS&E 107.) Analytical techniques such as linear and integer programming, Monte Carlo simulation, forecasting, decision analysis, and Markov chains in the environment of the spreadsheet. Probability management. Materials include spreadsheet add-ins for implementing these and other techniques. Emphasis is on building intuition through interactive modeling, and extending the applicability of this type of analysis through integration with existing business data structures.
3 units, Aut (Savage, S)
MS&E 208A. Practical Training
MS&E students obtain employment in a relevant industrial or research activity to enhance professional experience, consistent with the degree program they are pursuing. Students submit a one-page statement showing relevance to degree program along with offer letter before the start of the quarter, and a 2-3 page final report documenting the work done and relevance to degree program at the conclusion of the quarter. Master's students are limited to one quarter of practical training. B.S. and Ph.D. students may take each of A, B, and C once.
1 unit, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)
MS&E 208B. Practical Training
MS&E students obtain employment in a relevant industrial or research activity to enhance professional experience, consistent with the degree program they are pursuing. Students submit a one-page statement showing relevance to degree program along with offer letter before the start of the quarter, and a 2-3 page final report documenting the work done and relevance to degree program at the conclusion of the quarter. Master's students are limited to one quarter of practical training. B.S. and Ph.D. students may take each of A, B, and C once.
1 unit, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)
MS&E 208C. Practical Training
MS&E students obtain employment in a relevant industrial or research activity to enhance professional experience, consistent with the degree program they are pursuing. Students submit a one-page statement showing relevance to degree program along with offer letter before the start of the quarter, and a 2-3 page final report documenting the work done and relevance to degree program at the conclusion of the quarter. Master's students are limited to one quarter of practical training. B.S. and Ph.D. students may take each of A, B, and C once.
1 unit, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)
MS&E 211. Linear and Nonlinear Optimization
Optimization theory and modeling. The role of prices, duality, optimality conditions, and algorithms in finding and recognizing solutions. Perspectives: problem formulation, analytical theory, computational methods, and recent applications in engineering, finance, and economics. Theories: finite dimensional derivatives, convexity, optimality, duality, and sensitivity. Methods: simplex and interior-point, gradient, Newton, and barrier. Prerequisite: MATH 51.
3-4 units, Aut (Ye, Y)
MS&E 212. Mathematical Programming and Combinatorial Optimization
(Same as MS&E 112.) Combinatorial and mathematical programming (integer and non-linear) techniques for optimization. Topics: linear program duality and LP solvers; integer programming; combinatorial optimization problems on networks including minimum spanning trees, shortest paths, and network flows; matching and assignment problems; dynamic programming; linear approximations to convex programs; NP-completeness. Hands-on exercises. Prerequisites: CS 106A or X; ENGR 62 or MATH 103.
3 units, Win (Saberi, A)
MS&E 220. Probabilistic Analysis
Concepts and tools for the analysis of problems under uncertainty, focusing on model building and communication: the structuring, processing, and presentation of probabilistic information. Examples from legal, social, medical, and physical problems. Spreadsheets illustrate and solve problems as a complement to analytical closed-form solutions. Topics: axioms of probability, probability trees, random variables, distributions, conditioning, expectation, change of variables, and limit theorems. Prerequisite: MATH 51. Recommended: knowledge of spreadsheets.
3-4 units, Aut (Chiu, S)
MS&E 221. Stochastic Modeling
Focus is on time-dependent random phenomena. Topics: discrete and continuous time Markov chains, renewal processes, queueing theory, and applications. Emphasis is on building a framework to formulate and analyze probabilistic systems. Prerequisite: 220 or consent of instructor.
3 units, Win (Johari, R)
MS&E 223. Simulation
Discrete-event systems, generation of uniform and non-uniform random numbers, Monte Carlo methods, programming techniques for simulation, statistical analysis of simulation output, efficiency-improvement techniques, decision making using simulation, applications to systems in computer science, engineering, finance, and operations research. Prerequisites: working knowledge of a programming language such as C, C++, Java, or FORTRAN; probability; and statistical methods.
3 units, Spr (Staff)
MS&E 234. Organizations and Information Systems
(Same as MS&E 134.) How information systems impact organizations and how organizations take control of information technology (IT) to gain a competitive edge. Topics include: IT components, architecture, and transformation; the effect of IT on competition; real-time enterprise; leadership; and outsourcing. Student teams perform field studies based on situations in which information technology is creating a significant management problem or business opportunity. Enrollment limited. Prerequisites: CS 106A, 180, or equivalents.
4 units, Win (Tabrizi, B)
MS&E 235. Internet Commerce
The technology, mathematics, and economics of Internet commerce. Topics include: models of Internet commerce; online advertising; product recommendation systems and personalized marketing; pricing and delivery of digital media; web tools; piracy, copyright, and peer-to-peer networks; rating and reviewing of online businesses; and co-evolution of Internet technology and commerce. Hands-on exercises; group project. Prerequisites: 111 or 211, and CS 106B or X.
3 units, Spr (Goel, A), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 238. Network Structures and Analysis
The role of networks in social, technological, and economic systems. The impact of network structures on systems such as social networks including LinkedIn and Facebook; web pages and hyperlinks; buyers and sellers connected through a market; and towns connected by roads or airplane routes. Topics: graph and network analysis; epidemics on networks, the spread of fads, and tipping points; six degrees of separation and the small world phenomenon; power laws and their emergence; and network effects and externalities. Prerequisites: 220 and MATH 51.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 240. Accounting for Managers and Entrepreneurs
(Same as MS&E 140.) Non-majors and minors who have taken or are taking elementary accounting should not enroll. Introduction to accounting concepts and the operating characteristics of accounting systems. The principles of financial and cost accounting, design of accounting systems, techniques of analysis, and cost control. Interpretation and use of accounting information for decision making. Designed for the user of accounting information and not as an introduction to a professional accounting career.
3-4 units, Win (Stanton, F), Spr (Stanton, F), Sum (Stanton, F)
MS&E 241. Economic Analysis
Principal methods of economic analysis of the production activities of firms, including production technologies, cost and profit, and perfect and imperfect competition; individual choice, including preferences and demand; and the market-based system, including price formation, efficiency, and welfare. Practical applications of the methods presented. See 341 for continuation of 241. Recommended: 211, ECON 50.
3-4 units, Win (Weber, T)
MS&E 242. Investment Science
Theory and application of modern quantitative investment analysis from an engineering perspective. How investment concepts are used to evaluate and manage opportunities, portfolios, and investment products including stocks, bonds, mortgages, and annuities. Topics: deterministic cash flows (term structure of interest rates, bond portfolio immunization, project optimization); mean-variance theory (Markowitz model, capital asset pricing); and arbitrage pricing theory. Group project. Prerequisites: 120, ENGR 60, MATH 51, or equivalents. Recommended: 140, ENGR 62, knowledge of spreadsheets. Limited enrollment.
3 units, Aut (Primbs, J)
MS&E 242H. Investment Science Honors
Concepts of modern quantitative finance and investments. Basic concepts under certainty including arbitrage, term structure of interest rates, and bond portfolio immunization. A situation of uncertainty in one period. Topics: arbitrage; theorems of asset pricing; pricing measures; derivative securities; applications and estimating of financial risk measures; mean-variance portfolio analysis; and equilibrium and the capital asset pricing model. Group projects involving financial market data. Enrollment limited. Prerequisites: basic probability, statistics, and economics such as MS&E 120, 121, MATH 51, ENGR 60, or equivalents. No prior knowledge of finance required.
3 units, Aut (Giesecke, K)
MS&E 242S. Investment Science
Emphasis is on a cash flow approach. Topics include deterministic cash flow analysis (time value of money, present value, internal rate of return, taxes, inflation), fixed income securities, duration and bond portfolio immunization, term structure of interest rates (spot rates, discount factors, forward rates), Fisher-Weill duration and immunization, capital budgeting, dynamic optimization problems, investments under uncertainty, mean-variance portfolio theory, capital asset pricing, and basic options theory. Goal is to create a link between engineering analysis and business decision making.
3 units, Sum (Feinstein, C)
MS&E 243. Energy and Environmental Policy Analysis
(Same as IPER 243.) Concepts, methods, and applications. Energy/environmental policy issues such as automobile fuel economy regulation, global climate change, research and development policy, and environmental benefit assessment. Group project. Prerequisite: 241 or ECON 50, 51.
3 units, Spr (Sweeney, J)
MS&E 245G. Finance for Non-MBAs
(Same as ECON 135, FINANCE 221.) For graduate students and advanced undergraduates. The foundations of finance; applications in corporate finance and investment management. Financial decisions made by corporate managers and investors with focus on process valuation. Topics include criteria for investment decisions, valuation of financial assets and liabilities, relationships between risk and return, market efficiency, and the valuation of derivative securities. Corporate financial instruments including debt, equity, and convertible securities. Equivalent to core MBA finance course, FINANCE 220. Limited enrollment; contact academic_operations@gsb.stanford.edu. Prerequisites: ECON 51, or ENGR 60, or equivalent; ability to use spreadsheets, and basic probability and statistics concepts including random variables, expected value, variance, covariance, and simple estimation and regression.
4 units, Aut (Admati, A)
MS&E 246. Game Theory with Engineering Applications
Strategic interactions among multiple decision makers emphasizing applications to engineering systems. Topics: efficiency and fairness; collective decision making and cooperative games; static and dynamic noncooperative games; and complete and incomplete information models. Competition: Bertrand, Cournot, and Stackelberg models. Mechanism design: auctions, contracts. Examples from engineering problems. Prerequisites: MATH 51 and exposure to probability such as 120 or EE 178. Recommended: 211, concurrent enrollment in 241 or ECON 202.
3 units, Win (Johari, R)
MS&E 247G. International Financial Management
(Same as FINANCE 323.) With a daily volume of more than $1.8tr the foreign exchange market is by far the largest financial market in the world. It is also one of the most important ones as it is impossible to avoid exchange rate risk in the global economy. We will examine various aspects of the foreign exchange market. First, we will examine the role of governments and central banks. We will then focus on the markets for spot exchange, currency forwards, options, swaps, international bonds, and international equities. For each of these markets, the valuation of instruments traded in these markets and, through cases, the application of these instruments to managing exposure to exchange rates, financing in international capital markets, and international capital budgeting.
4 units
MS&E 247S. International Investments
International financial markets, their comparative behavior and interrelations. Focus is on assets traded in liquid markets: currencies, equities, bonds, swaps, and derivatives. Topics: institutional arrangements, taxation and regulation, international arbitrage and parity conditions, valuation of target firms for cross-border acquisitions, direct foreign investment, international diversification and portfolio management, derivative instruments and dynamic investment strategies, international performance analysis, international capital flows and financial crises, and topics of current relevance and importance. Prerequisite: basic finance theory (equivalent to 242 or 245G).
3 units, Sum (Fu, Y)
MS&E 248. Economics of Natural Resources
Intertemporal economic analysis of natural resource use, particularly energy, and including air, water, and other depletable mineral and biological resources. Emphasis is on an integrating theory for depletable and renewable resources. Stock-flow relationships; optimal choices over time; short- and long-run equilibrium conditions; depletion/extinction conditions; market failure mechanisms (common-property, public goods, discount rate distortions, rule-of-capture); policy options. Prerequisite: 241 or ECON 51.
3-4 units, Aut (Sweeney, J)
MS&E 249. Growth and Development
What generates economic growth. Emphasis is on theory accompanied by intuition, illustrated with country cases. Topics: the equation of motion of an economy; optimal growth theory; calculus of variations and optimal control approaches; deriving the Euler and Pontriaguine equations from economic reasoning. Applications: former planned economies in Russia and E. Europe; the financial crises in E. Asia and Argentina; a comparative study of India and China. The links between economic growth and civilization; the causes of the rise and decline of civilizations; lessons for the future.
3 units, Aut (De La Grandville, O), Sum (De La Grandville, O)
MS&E 250A. Engineering Risk Analysis
The techniques of analysis of engineering systems for risk management decisions involving trade-offs (technical, human, environmental aspects). Elements of decision analysis; probabilistic risk analysis (fault trees, event trees, systems dynamics); economic analysis of failure consequences (human safety and long-term economic discounting); and case studies such as space systems, nuclear power plants, and medical systems. Public and private sectors. Prerequisites: ENGR 60 or equivalent, probability, and decision analysis.
2-3 units, Win (Pate-Cornell, E)
MS&E 250B. Project Course in Engineering Risk Analysis
Students, individually or in groups, choose, define, formulate, and resolve a real risk management problem, preferably from a local firm or institution. Oral presentation and report required. Scope of the project is adapted to the number of students involved. Three phases: risk assessment, communication, and management. Emphasis is on the use of probability for the treatment of uncertainties and sensitivity to problem boundaries. Limited enrollment. Prerequisite: 250A, consent of instructor. (Paté-Cornell)
3 units, Spr (Pate-Cornell, E)
MS&E 251. Stochastic Decision Models
Efficient formulation and computational solution of sequential decision problems under uncertainty. Markov decision chains and stochastic programming. Maximum expected present value and rate of return. Optimality of simple policies: myopic, linear, index, acceptance limit, and (s,S). Optimal stationary and periodic infinite-horizon policies. Applications to investment, options, overbooking, inventory, production, purchasing, selling, quality, repair, sequencing, queues, capacity, transportation. MATLAB is used. Prerequisites: probability, linear programming.
3 units, Win (Veinott, A)
MS&E 252. Decision Analysis I: Foundations of Decision Analysis
Coherent approach to decision making, using the metaphor of developing a structured conversation having desirable properties, and producing actional thought that leads to clarity of action. Socratic instruction; computational problem sessions. Emphasis is on creation of distinctions, representation of uncertainty by probability, development of alternatives, specification of preference, and the role of these elements in creating a normative approach to decisions. Information gathering opportunities in terms of a value measure. Relevance and decision diagrams to represent inference and decision. Principles are applied to decisions in business, technology, law, and medicine. See 352 for continuation.
3-4 units, Aut (Howard, R)
MS&E 254. The Ethical Analyst
The ethical responsibility for consequences of professional analysts who use technical knowledge in support of any individual, organization, or government. The means to form ethical judgments; questioning the desirability of physical coercion and deception as a means to reach any end. Human action and relations in society in the light of previous thought, and research on the desired form of social interactions. Attitudes toward ethical dilemmas through an explicit personal code.
1-3 units, Spr (Howard, R)
MS&E 255A. Decision Systems I
(Formerly MS&E 451.) Professional tools and techniques for designing decision systems that help when facing decisions such as buying a car, bidding on the Internet, hiring NFL players, making charitable donations, or choosing medical treatment. Demonstrations; small project. Topics: automatic decision diagram formulation, decision-class analysis, and dynamic sensitivity analysis. No programming required. Recommended: 252 or equivalent.
2-3 units, Win (Holtzman, S)
MS&E 255B. Decision Systems II
(Formerly MS&E 452.) Students design a system to help business, consumer, medical, or other decision makers. Previous student teams have designed systems for auction bidding, cancer treatment, sailing tactics, automobile purchasing, network design, Mars exploration, flu treatment, platoon tactics, high-tech manufacturing, and oil-and-gas exploration. No programming required. Satisfies MS&E project course requirement. Prerequisite: 252 or equivalent. Recommended: 255A.
3 units, Spr (Holtzman, S)
MS&E 256. Technology Assessment and Regulation of Medical Devices
(Formerly 475.) Regulatory approval and reimbursement for new medical technologies as a key component of product commercialization. The regulatory and payer environment in the U.S. and abroad, and common methods of health technology assessment. Framework to identify factors relevant to adoption of new medical devices, and the management of those factors in the design and development phases. Case studies; guest speakers from government (FDA) and industry.
1-3 units, Spr (Pietzsch, J)
MS&E 260. Analysis of Production and Operating Systems
Businesses add value through production and delivery of products and services; operations managers are responsible for designing, running, and improving systems and processes to meet demand for goods and services. Techniques to analyze an operating system. Topics include determination of optimal facility location, production lot sizing, optimal timing and sizing of capacity expansion, and inventory control. Prerequisites: probability and optimization.
4 units, Aut (Staff)
MS&E 261. Inventory Control and Production Systems
Topics in the planning and control of manufacturing systems. The functions of inventory, determination of order quantities and safety stocks, alternative inventory replenishment systems, item forecasting, production-inventory systems, materials requirements planning (MRP), just-in-time systems, master and operations scheduling, supply chain management, and service operations. Limited enrollment. Prerequisite: 120, or STATS 116, or equivalent.
3 units, Win (Hausman, W)
MS&E 262. Supply Chain Management
Definition of a supply chain; coordination difficulties; pitfalls and opportunities in supply chain management; inventory/service tradeoffs; performance measurement and incentives. Global supply chain management; mass customization; supplier management. Design and redesign of products and processes for supply chain management; tools for analysis; industrial applications; current industry initiatives. Enrollment limited to 50. Prerequisite: 260 or 261.
3 units, Spr (Hausman, W)
MS&E 263. Internet-Enabled Supply Chains
E-businesses have changed traditional supply chain interactions by creating a web-like structure and more flexible relationships, and it is no longer possible operationally or strategically to ignore the information-based virtual value chains for any business. How information technologies advanced supply chain integration; e-markets including auctions and exchanges; dynamic pricing; bundling; strategic implications of lock-in and switching costs; compatibility choices; and standardization efforts.
3 units, not given this year
MS&E 264. Sustainable Product Development and Manufacturing
Strategies and techniques for development of sustainable products and manufacturing processes. Topics: strategic decisions in new product development when environmental and resource externalities are accounted for; effect of regulatory requirements on ability of a firm to achieve its business objectives; contributions of sustainable products/processes to the firm's competitive advantage and operational efficiency and to enabling entrepreneurial opportunities; industrial ecology and life cycle analysis techniques in integrating traditional product development requirements with those of the environment and society.
3 units, Aut (Rafinejad, D)
MS&E 265. Supply Chain Logistics
Student teams redesign the manufacturing and distribution system of a medium-sized manufacturer. Focus is on the transportation system, inventory policies for a regional warehouse, design of a national distribution system, improvements of work flow, and layout of the manufacturing plant. The redesign is at a detailed operational level consistent with a strategy of integrating the functions of manufacturing and distribution. Analytical and game software is used. Knowledge of inventory theory, linear/integer programming, economic analysis, and applied probability is required. Emphasis is on group learning. Limited enrollment. Prerequisites: senior or graduate standing, 160, ENGR 60 and 62, or consent of instructor.
4 units, Spr (Erhun Oguz, F), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 266. Management of New Product Development
Techniques of managing or leading the process of new product development that have been found effective. How much control is desirable and how that control can be exercised in a setting where creativity has traditionally played a larger role than discipline. Topics: design for manufacturability, assessing the market, imposing discipline on the new product development process, selecting the appropriate portfolio of new product development projects, disruptive technology, product development at internet speed, uncertainty in product development, role of experimentation in new product development, creating an effective development organization, and developing products to hit cost targets.
3-4 units, Win (Rafinejad, D)
MS&E 267. Supply Chain Risk and Flexibility Management
Methods and analytic tools for quantifying and managing the impact of uncertainty in supply and demand on the operating and financial performance of firms and networks of firms. Design and delivery of products and services to provide competitive differentiation by enabling cost, value, risk and flexibility to be balanced and managed across supply networks. Case study applications by leading companies to procurement, manufacturing, outsourcing, and sales relationships. Tools, processes, and internal crossfunctional coordination required to operationalize approaches in core planning and execution systems and processes. Prerequisite: 262.
3-4 units, Spr (Johnson, B)
MS&E 268. Operations Strategy
The development and implementation of the operations functional strategy. The integration of operations strategy with business and corporate strategies of a manufacturing-based firm. Topics: types and characteristics of manufacturing technologies, quality management, capacity planning and facilities choice, organization and control of operations, and operations' role in corporate strategy. Prerequisites: 260 or 261, or equivalent experience.
3 units, Spr (Carlson, R)
MS&E 269. Quality Control and Management
Topics include the cost of quality, inspection, sampling plans, statistical process control, uncertainty in the supply process, Bayesian decision methods, reliability, robust quality, quality function deployment, quality in services, and approaches to quality management. Case studies. Class project involving local industry required for fourth unit. Prerequisites: 120 and STATS 110.
3-4 units, not given this year
MS&E 270. Strategy in Technology-Based Companies
For graduate students only. Concepts of strategy, with emphasis on high technology firms. Topics: competitive positioning, resource-based perspectives, co-opetition and standards setting, and complexity/evolutionary perspectives. Limited enrollment.
3-4 units, Aut (Eisenhardt, K), Win (Katila, R)
MS&E 271. Global Entrepreneurial Marketing
Skills needed to market new technology-based products to customers around the world. Case method discussions. Cases include startups and global high tech firms. Course themes: marketing toolkit, targeting markets and customers, product marketing and management, partners and distribution, sales and negotiation, and outbound marketing. Team-based take-home final exam. Limited enrollment.
4 units, Win (Kosnik, T; Novitsky, D; Ramfelt, L; Smith, L), Spr (Kosnik, T; Novitsky, D; Ramfelt, L; Smith, L)
MS&E 272. Entrepreneurial Finance
Primarily for graduate engineering students. Introduction to the concepts in and around the financing of entrepreneurial companies. Focus is on teaching future general managers how to use financial perspective to make better decisions in entrepreneurial settings, including selecting financial partners, evaluating financing vehicles, and financing companies through all growth stages, from startup through initial public offering. Limited enrollment. Prerequisites: 140 and ENGR 60, or equivalents. Recommended: 242 or 245G.
3 units, Spr (Dearing, M)
MS&E 273. Technology Venture Formation
Open to graduate students interested in high-technology entrepreneurship.The process of starting venture scale high-tech businesses. Assessing opportunities, sizing markets, evaluating sales channels, developing R&D and operations plans, raising venture capital, managing legal issues, and building a team. Teaching team includes entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and guest speakers. Student teams write a business plan and make a formal presentation to a group of first tier venture capitalists. Enrollment limited. Recommended: 140, 270, 271, 272, or equivalent.
3-4 units, Aut (Lyons, M; MacLean, A)
MS&E 274. Dynamic Entrepreneurial Strategy
Primarily for graduate students. How entrepreneurial strategy focuses on creating structural change or responding to change induced externally. Grabber-holder dynamics as an analytical framework for developing entrepreneurial strategy to increase success in creating and shaping the diffusion of new technology or product innovation dynamics. Topics: First mover versus follower advantage in an emerging market; latecomer advantage and strategy in a mature market; strategy to break through stagnation; and strategy to turn danger into opportunity. Modeling, case studies, and term project.
3 units, Win (Tse, E)
MS&E 277. Creativity and Innovation
Factors that promote and inhibit creativity of individuals, teams, and organizations. Creativity tools, assessment metrics, and exercises; workshops, field trips, and case studies. Each student completes an individual creativity portfolio and participates in a long-term team project. Enrollment limited to 32. See http://creativity.stanford.edu.
4 units, Spr (Seelig, T)
MS&E 280. Organizational Behavior: Evidence in Action
Organization theory; concepts and functions of management; behavior of the individual, work group, and organization. Emphasis is on cases and related discussion. Enrollment limited; priority to MS&E students.
3-4 units, Win (Sutton, R), Spr (Siino, R)
MS&E 282. Innovation and Implementation in Complex Organizations
The difficulty of moving new ideas through large organizations. Executives from large companies describe cases; student teams analyze the cases and provide recommendations. Final project. Enrollment limited to 12. Prerequisites: master's standing and consent of instructors.
3 units, Win (Sutton, R; Dearing, M)
MS&E 285. Negotiation
(Same as CEE 151, CEE 251, ME 207.) Negotiation styles and processes to help students conduct and review negotiations. Workshop format integrating intellectual and experiential learning. Exercises, presentations, live and field examples, and individual and small group reviews. Application required before first day of class; see Coursework.
3 units, Aut (Christensen, S), Spr (Christensen, S)
MS&E 287. Treating Business Practices as Prototypes
Multidisciplinary. Students work in teams to apply the design process to practices such as talent management, organizational design, or communication with external stakeholders in organizations that may include a software firm, a professional services firm, and an airline, and treat the targeted practices as prototypes. Experience in collaboration and design. Limited enrollment.
3-4 units, Win (Sutton, R; Dunn, D)
MS&E 288. Creating Infectious Action
Offered by the d.school. Teams of master's students from disciplines including engineering, design, business, behavioral sciences, and education attempt to spread positive behavior through projects that include spreading the adoption of the Firefox web browser, applying methods from hip hop to fuel the spread of fads, and spreading financially responsible individual behavior. Industry experts and academics provide guidance.
3-4 units, not given this year
MS&E 292. Health Policy Modeling
Primarily for master's students; also open to undergraduates and doctoral students. The application of mathematical, statistical, economic, and systems models to problems in health policy. Areas include: disease screening, prevention, and treatment; assessment of new technologies; bioterrorism response; and drug control policies.
3 units, Win (Brandeau, M)
MS&E 293. Technology and National Security
(Same as MS&E 193, MS&E 193W.) The interaction of technology and national security policy from the perspective of history to implications for the new security imperative, homeland defense. Key technologies in nuclear and biological weapons, military platforms, and intelligence gathering. Policy issues from the point of view of U.S. and other nations. The impact of terrorist threat. Guest lecturers include key participants in the development of technology and/or policy. Students seeking to fulfill the WIM requirement should register for 193W.
3 units, Aut (Perry, W; Hecker, S)
MS&E 294. Climate Policy Analysis
Design and application of formal analytical methods in climate policy development. Issues include instrument design, technology development, resource management, multiparty negotiation, and dealing with complexity and uncertainty. Links among art, theory, and practice. Emphasis is on integrated use of modeling tools from diverse methodologies and requirements for policy making application. Recommended: background in economics, optimization, and decision analysis.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 295. Energy Policy Analysis
Design and application of formal analytical methods for policy and technology assessments of energy efficiency and renewable energy options. Emphasis is on integrated use of modeling tools from diverse methodologies and requirements for policy and corporate strategy development. Recommended: background in economics, optimization, and decision analysis.
3 units, Win (Weyant, J)
MS&E 299. Designing A Free Society
Ethical theory, feasibility, and desirability of a social order in which coercion by individuals and government is minimized and people pursue ends on a voluntary basis. Topics: efficacy and ethics; use rights for property; contracts and torts; spontaneous order and free markets; crime and punishment based on restitution; guardian-ward theory for dealing with incompetents; the effects of state action-hypothesis of reverse results; applications to help the needy, armed intervention, victimless crimes, and environmental protection; transition strategies to a voluntary society.
1-3 units, Win (Howard, R)
MS&E 300. Ph.D. Qualifying Tutorial or Paper
Restricted to Ph.D. students assigned tutorials as part of the MS&E Ph.D. qualifying process. Enrollment optional.
1-3 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)
MS&E 301. Dissertation Research
Prerequisite: doctoral candidacy.
1-15 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)
MS&E 310. Linear Programming
Formulation of standard linear programming models. Theory of polyhedral convex sets, linear inequalities, alternative theorems, and duality. Variants of the simplex method and the state of art interior-point algorithms. Sensitivity analyses, economic interpretations, and primal-dual methods. Relaxations of harder optimization problems and recent convex conic linear programs. Applications include game equilibrium facility location. Prerequisite: MATH 113 or consent of instructor.
3 units, Aut (Ye, Y)
MS&E 311. Optimization
Applications, theories, and algorithms for finite-dimensional linear and nonlinear optimization problems with continuous variables. Elements of convex analysis, first- and second-order optimality conditions, sensitivity and duality. Algorithms for unconstrained optimization, and linearly and nonlinearly constrained problems. Modern applications in communication, game theory, auction, and economics. Prerequisites: MATH 113, 115, or equivalent.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 312. Advanced Methods in Numerical Optimization
(Same as CME 334.) Topics include interior-point methods, relaxation methods for nonlinear discrete optimization, sequential quadratic programming methods, optimal control and decomposition methods. Topic chosen in first class; different topics for individuals or groups possible. Individual or team projects. May be repeated for credit.
3 units, Aut (Murray, W)
MS&E 313. Vector Space Optimization
Optimization theory from the unified framework of vector space theory: treating together problems of mathematical programming, calculus of variations, optimal control, estimation, and other optimization problems. Emphasis is on geometric interpretation. Duality theory. Topics: vector spaces including function spaces; Hilbert space and the projection theorem; dual spaces and the separating hyperplane theorem; linear operators and adjoints; optimization of functionals, including theory of necessary conditions in general spaces, and convex optimization theory; constrained optimization including Fenchel duality theory. Prerequisite: MATH 115.
3 units, Aut (Luenberger, D), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 314. Linear and Conic Optimization with Applications
(Same as CME 336.) Linear, semidefinite, conic, and convex nonlinear optimization problems as generalizations of classical linear programming. Algorithms include the interior-point, barrier function, and cutting plane methods. Related convex analysis, including the separating hyperplane theorem, Farkas lemma, dual cones, optimality conditions, and conic inequalities. Complexity and/or computation efficiency analysis. Applications to combinatorial optimization, sensor network localization, support vector machine, and graph realization. Prerequisite: MS&E 211 or equivalent.
3 units, Win (Ye, Y), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 315. Numerical Optimization
(Same as CME 304.) Solution of nonlinear equations; unconstrained optimization; linear programming; quadratic programming; global optimization; general linearly and nonlinearly constrained optimization. Theory and algorithms to solve these problems. Prerequisite: background in analysis and numerical linear algebra.
3 units, Win (Murray, W)
MS&E 316. Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms
(Same as CME 305.) Topics: enumeration such as Cayley's theorem and Prufer codes, SDR, flows and cuts (deterministic and randomized algorithms), probabilistic methods and random graphs, asymptotics (NP-hardness and approximation algorithms). Topics illustrated with EE, CS, and bioinformatics applications. Prerequisites: MATH 51 or 103 or equivalents.
3 units, Win (Saberi, A)
MS&E 318. Large-Scale Numerical Optimization
(Same as CME 338.) The main algorithms and software for constrained optimization emphasizing the sparse-matrix methods needed for their implementation. Iterative methods for linear equations and least squares. Interior methods. The simplex method. Factorization and updates. The reduced-gradient, augmented Lagrangian, and SQP methods. Recommended: MS&E 310, 311, 312, 314, or 315; CME 108 or 302.
3 units, Spr (Saunders, M)
MS&E 319. Approximation Algorithms
Combinatorial and mathematical programming techniques to derive approximation algorithms for NP-hard optimization problems. Prossible topics include: greedy algorithms for vertex/set cover; rounding LP relaxations of integer programs; primal-dual algorithms; semidefinite relaxations. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: 112 or CS 161.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 321. Stochastic Systems
Topics in stochastic processes, emphasizing applications. Markov chains in discrete and continuous time; Markov processes in general state space; Lyapunov functions; regenerative process theory; renewal theory; martingales, Brownian motion, and diffusion processes. Application to queueing theory, storage theory, reliability, and finance. Prerequisites: 221 or STATS 217; MATH 113, 115. (Glynn)
3 units, Spr (Glynn, P)
MS&E 322. Stochastic Calculus and Control
Ito integral, existence and uniqueness of solutions of stochastic differential equations (SDEs), diffusion approximations, numerical solutions of SDEs, controlled diffusions and the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, and statistical inference of SDEs. Applications to finance and queueing theory. Prerequisites: 221 or STATS 217: MATH 113, 115.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 323. Stochastic Simulation
Emphasis is on the theoretical foundations of simulation methodology. Generation of uniform and non-uniform random variables. Discrete-event simulation and generalized semi-Markov processes. Output analysis (autoregressive, regenerative, spectral, and stationary times series methods). Variance reduction techniques (antithetic variables, common random numbers, control variables, discrete-time, conversion, importance sampling). Stochastic optimization (likelihood ratio method, perturbation analysis, stochastic approximation). Simulation in a parallel environment. Prerequisite: MS&E 221 or equivalent.
3 units, Win (Glynn, P), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 325. Topics in Stochastic Optimization
Algorithms for optimization problems with inputs from a known probability distribution or a known class of probability distributions. Topics: Markov decision processes; optimization with sparse priors; multi-armed bandit problems and the Gittins' index; regret bounds for multi-armed bandit problems; stochastic knapsack and the adaptivity gap; budgeted learning; adversarial queueing theory; stochastic scheduling and routing; stochastic inventory problems; multi-stage and multi-objective stochastic optimization. Prerequisites: MS&E 221 or equivalent; and MS&E 212 or CS 261 or equivalent.
3 units, Win (Goel, A), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 332. Security and Risk in Computer Networks
Risk management of large scale computing and networking systems with respect to security, data integrity, performance collapse, and service disruption. Qualitative and analytical basis for assessment, modeling, control, and mitigation of network risks. Stochastic risk models. Contact process. Random fields on networks. Virus and worm propagation dynamics and containment. Denial of service attacks. Intruder detection technologies. Distributed network attacks and countermeasures. Disaster recovery networks. Network protection services and resource placement. Autonomic self-defending networks. Economics of risk management. Emphasis is on analytics and quantitative methods.
3 units, Spr (Bambos, N)
MS&E 335. Queuing Systems and Processing Networks
Advanced stochastic modeling and control of systems involving queueing and scheduling operations. Stability analysis of queueing systems. Key results on single queues and queueing networks. Controlled queueing systems. Dynamic routing and scheduling in processing networks. Applications to modeling, analysis and performance engineering of computing systems, communication networks, flexible manufacturing, and service systems. Prerequisite: 221 or equivalent.
3 units, Aut (Bambos, N)
MS&E 336. Topics in Game Theory with Engineering Applications
Seminar. Recent research applying economic methods to engineering problems. Recent topics include: incentives in networked systems; mechanism design in engineered systems; and dynamics and learning in games. Prerequisites: mathematics at the level of MATH 115; game theory at the level of 246 or ECON 203; probability at the level of 220; optimization at the level of 211. May be repeated for credit.
3 units, Spr (Johari, R)
MS&E 337. Information Networks
(Same as CME 337.) Network structure of the Internet and the web. Modeling, scale-free graphs, small-world phenomenon. Algorithmic implications in searching and inter-domain routing; the effect of structure on performance. Game theoretic issues, routing games, and network creation games. Security issues, vulnerability, and robustness. Prerequisite: basic probability and graph theory.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 338. Advanced Topics in Information Science and Technology
Advanced material in this area is sometimes taught for the first time as a topics course. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
3 units, not given this year
MS&E 339. Approximate Dynamic Programming
Approximation algorithms for large-scale dynamic programming. Real-time dynamic programming and reinforcement learning algorithms. Generalizations of value iteration, policy iteration, and linear programming approaches. Recent research topics. Prerequisite: 251, 351, CS 221, CS 228, or CS 229.
3 units, Spr (Van Roy, B)
MS&E 341. Advanced Economic Analysis
Builds on 241 concepts. Market structure and industrial organization (oligopoly, strategic behavior of firms, game theoretic models); economics of uncertainty; general equilibrium theory and economic efficiency (formulation, Walras' Law, existence, uniqueness, duality between efficiency and general equilibrium; trade); intertemporal equilibrium and asset markets; public goods, externalities. Background for advanced economics. Prerequisite: 241.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 342. Advanced Investment Science
Topics: forwards and futures contracts, continuous and discrete time models of stock price behavior, geometric Brownian motion, Ito's lemma, basic options theory, Black-Scholes equation, advanced options techniques, models and applications of stochastic interest rate processes, and optimal portfolio growth. Computational issues and general theory. Teams work on independent projects. Prerequisite: 242.
3 units, Win (Luenberger, D)
MS&E 343. Optimal Control Theory with Applications in Economics
Classical and nonclassical optimal control applications in economics. Necessary and sufficient optimality conditions: maximum principle and HJB equation. Applications: single-person decision problems such as dynamic pricing, investment, marketing, and harvesting of renewable resources; multi-agent games such as dynamic oligopolies with open and closed-loop equilibria, capital accumulation, and dynamic pricing; and design of economic mechanisms such as screening contracts, regulation, and auctions. Prerequisites: course in dynamic systems and multivariable calculus.
3 units, Spr (Weber, T)
MS&E 344. Applied Information Economics
The strategic acquisition, pricing, transfer, and use of information. Theoretical findings applied to real-world settings. Topics: optimal risk bearing, adverse selection, signaling, screening, nonlinear and state-contingent pricing, design of contests, incentives and organizations, strategic information transmission, long-run relationships, negative information value, research and invention, leakage and espionage, imperfect competition, information sharing, search and advertising, learning, and real-option exercise games. Prerequisites: 211, 220, 241. Recommended: 341.
3 units, not given this year
MS&E 345. Advanced Topics in Financial Engineering
Derivative pricing theory from an engineering perspective. Underlying principles that apply to all derivative securities; general frameworks to model and price derivative securities on equities, interest rates, and credit. Topics in hedging and risk management. Prerequisites: derivative pricing and stochastic differential equations; and 220, 221, 242, 342, or consent of instructor. Recommended: Matlab. (Primbs)
3 units, Win (Primbs, J)
MS&E 347. Credit Risk: Modeling and Management
Credit risk modeling, valuation, and hedging emphasizing underlying economic, probabilistic, and statistical concepts. Point processes and their compensators. Structural, incomplete information and reduced form approaches. Single name products: corporate bonds, equity, equity options, credit and equity default swaps, forwards and swaptions. Multiname modeling: index and tranche swaps and options, collateralized debt obligations. Implementation, calibration and testing of models. Industry and market practice. Data and implementation driven group projects that focus on problems in the financial industry. Prerequisites: stochastic processes at the level of MSE 321, 322 or equivalent, and financial engineering at the level of MSE 342, MATH 180, MATH 240, FINANCE 622 or equivalent
3 units, Spr (Giesecke, K)
MS&E 348. Optimization of Uncertainty and Applications in Finance
How to make optimal decisions in the presence of uncertainty, solution techniques for large-scale systems resulting from decision problems under uncertainty, and applications in finance. Decision trees, utility, two-stage and multi-stage decision problems, approaches to stochastic programming, model formulation; large-scale systems, Benders and Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition, Monte Carlo sampling and variance reduction techniques, risk management, portfolio optimization, asset-liability management, mortgage finance. Projects involving the practical application of optimization under uncertainty to financial planning.
3 units, Win (Infanger, G)
MS&E 349. Capital Deployment
Methods for efficiently allocating capital among alternatives, constructing business plans, determining the value of risky projects, and creating alternatives that enhance value. Prerequisites: 242, 342.
3 units, Spr (Luenberger, D)
MS&E 351. Dynamic Programming and Stochastic Control
Markov population decision chains in discrete and continuous time. Risk posture. Present value and Cesaro overtaking optimality. Optimal stopping. Successive approximation, policy improvement, and linear programming methods. Team decisions and stochastic programs; quadratic costs and certainty equivalents. Maximum principle. Controlled diffusions. Examples from inventory, overbooking, options, investment, queues, reliability, quality, capacity, transportation. MATLAB. Prerequisites: MATH 113, 115; Markov chains; linear programming.
3 units, Spr (Veinott, A)
MS&E 352. Decision Analysis II: Professional Decision Analysis
How to organize the decision conversation, the role of the decision analysis cycle and the model sequence, assessing the quality of decisions, framing decisions, the decision hierarchy, strategy tables for alternative development, creating spare and effective decision diagrams, biases in assessment, knowledge maps, uncertainty about probability. Sensitivity analysis, approximations, value of revelation, joint information, options, flexibility, bidding, assessing and using corporate risk attitude, risk sharing and scaling, and decisions involving health and safety. See 353 for continuation. Prerequisite: 252.
3-4 units, Win (Howard, R)
MS&E 353. Decision Analysis III: Frontiers of Decision Analysis
The concept of decision composite; probabilistic insurance and other challenges to the normative approach; the relationship of decision analysis to classical inference and data analysis procedures; the likelihood and exchangeability principles; inference, decision, and experimentation using conjugate distributions; developing a risk attitude based on general properties; alternative decision aiding practices such as analytic hierarchy and fuzzy approaches. Student presentations on current research. Goal is to prepare doctoral students for research. Prerequisite: 352.
3 units, Spr (Staff)
MS&E 355. Influence Diagrams and Probabilistics Networks
Network representations for reasoning under uncertainty: influence diagrams, belief networks, and Markov networks. Structuring and assessment of decision problems under uncertainty. Learning from evidence. Conditional independence and requisite information. Node reductions. Belief propagation and revision. Simulation. Linear-quadratic-Gaussian decision models and Kalman filters. Dynamic processes. Bayesian meta-analysis. Prerequisites: 220, 252, or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 361. Supply Chain Optimization
Characterization and computation of optimal and nearly optimal multiperiod supply chain policies with known or uncertain demands using dynamic, lattice, network, and convex and concave programming. Cooperation: sharing benefits of alliances. Competition. Leontief-substitution and network-flow models. Lattice programming: comparison of optima; existence and comparison of equilibria of non-cooperative games. Stochastic comparison. Invariant properties of optimal flows: graphical optimization of supply chains. Optimality of myopic policies. Prerequisites: MATH 115, optimization theory, probability.
3 units, Aut (Veinott, A), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 362. Advanced Models in Production and Operations
The design and operation of production-inventory systems. Topics include production scheduling, capacity planning, sequencing, assembly-line balancing, dynamic scheduling, and multigoal optimizations. Readings primarily from journal articles. Prerequisite: 260.
3 units, Spr (Carlson, R), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 364. Multi-echelon Inventory Models
Theoretical treatment of control problems arising in inventory management, production, and distribution systems. Inventory control for single and multi-location systems. Emphasis is on operating characteristics, performance measures, and optimal operating and control policies. Dynamic programming and applications in inventory control. Prerequisite: STATS 217 or equivalent, linear programming.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 365. Game Theoretic Models in Operations Management
Formal analysis of strategic interactions among decision makers such as suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers; the resulting dynamics in a market environment. Game theory as the main tool of analysis. Readings primarily from journal articles. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 246 or equivalent.
3 units, Spr (Erhun Oguz, F), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 371. Innovation and Strategic Change
Doctoral research seminar, limited to Ph.D. students. Current research on innovation strategy. Topics: scientific discovery, innovation search, organizational learning, evolutionary approaches, and incremental and radical change. Topics change yearly. Recommended: course in statistics or research methods.
2-3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 374. Dynamic Corporate Strategy
Restricted to Ph.D. students. Research on the creation and shaping of disruptive industry dynamics and how companies can formulate and implement strategies to excel in such changing environments. Dynamic system model approach; case studies. Prerequisites: 201 or equivalent, 274.
3 units, Win (Tse, E), alternate years, not given next year
MS&E 375. Research on Entrepreneurship
Restricted to Ph.D. students. Organization theory, economics, and strategy perspectives. Limited enrollment. Prerequisites: SOC 360 or equivalent, and consent of instructor.
3 units, Aut (Eisenhardt, K)
MS&E 376. Strategy and Organization Doctoral Research Seminar
Current research at the interface of strategy policy and organization theory. Topics vary annually. Limited enrollment. Prerequisites: SOC 360 or equivalent, and consent of instructor.
3 units, not given this year
MS&E 380. Doctoral Research Seminar in Organizations
Limited to Ph.D. students. Topics from current published literature and working papers. Content varies. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
3 units, not given this year
MS&E 381A. Doctoral Research Seminar in Work, Technology, and Organization: Theoretical Underpinnings
Enrollment limited to Ph.D. students. Topics from current published literature and working papers. Content varies. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
2-3 units, not given this year
MS&E 381B. Doctoral Research Seminar in Work, Technology, and Organization: The Study of Work
Enrollment limited to Ph.D. students. Topics from current published literature and working papers. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
2-3 units, Spr (Bailey, D)
MS&E 381C. Doctoral Research Seminar in Work, Technology, and Organization: The Study of Technology
Enrollment limited to Ph.D. students. Topics from current literature and working papers. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
2-3 units, not given this year
MS&E 383. Doctoral Seminar on Ethnographic Research
For graduate students; upper-level undergraduates with consent of instructor. Ethnosemantic interviewing and participant observation. Techniques for taking, managing, and analyzing field notes and other qualitative data. 15 hours per week outside class collecting and analyzing own data. Methods texts and ethnographies offer examples of how to analyze and communicate ethnographic data. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Barley)
5-6 units, Win (Hinds, P)
MS&E 384. Groups and Teams
Research on groups and teams in organizations from the perspective of organizational behavior and social psychology. Topics include group effectiveness, norms, group composition, diversity, conflict, group dynamics, temporal issues in groups, geographically distributed teams, and intergroup relations.
3 units, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 406. Mathematical Modeling Seminar
Mathematical modeling issues in participants' current research. Topics such as modularity, variable endogenization, parameter estimation, and orders of effect. Students share their models for discussion. Limited enrollment. Recommended: 206.
1 unit, alternate years, not given this year
MS&E 408. Directed Reading and Research
Directed study and research on a subject of mutual interest to student and faculty member. Prerequisite: faculty sponsor.
1-15 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)
MS&E 444. Investment Practice
Theory of real options, soft derivatives, and related ideas. Problems from financial engineering and risk management. Examples from industry. Small group projects formulate and design solutions to actual industry problems. Enrollment limited to 30.
3-4 units, Spr (Giesecke, K)
MS&E 445. Projects in Wealth Management
Recent theory and standard practice in portfolio design for institutions, individuals, and funds. Student projects and case studies derived from the financial industry.
3-4 units, Spr (Woehrmann, P)
MS&E 446. Policy and Economics Research Roundtable (PERR)
Research in progress or contemplated in policy and economics areas. Emphasis depends on research interests of participants, but is likely to include energy, environment, transportation, or technology policy and analysis. May be repeated for credit.
1 unit, Aut (Sweeney, J), Win (Sweeney, J), Spr (Sweeney, J)
MS&E 450. Lessons in Decision Making
Entrepreneurs, senior management consultants, and executives from Fortune 500 companies share real-world stories and insights from their experience in decision making.
1 unit, Spr (Staff)
MS&E 453A. Medical Decision Making Seminar
Decision making models and methods to address complex, uncertain medical decisions. Experts present best practices and research on current topics such as mathematical modeling of bioterrorism, HIV screening and prevention, flu pandemic interventions, personal medical procedure decisions, and decision support for cancer care delivery.
1 unit, Aut (Robinson, B)
MS&E 453B. Energy Decision Making Seminar
Decision making models and methods to address complex, uncertain energy decisions. Experts present best practices and research on current topics such as traditional versus alternative energy supply, global demand forecasts, mathematical modeling of energy economics, energy policy and consumer behavior, and geopolitical energy considerations.
1 unit, Win (Robinson, B)
MS&E 453C. Environmental Decision Making Seminar
Decision making models and methods to address complex, uncertain environmental decisions. Experts present best practices and research on current topics such as climate change science and policy, mathematical modeling of environmental strategy consequences, marine resource preservation, groundwater contamination, and international agricultural crop decisions.
1 unit, Spr (Robinson, B)
MS&E 454. Decision Analysis Seminar
Current research and related topics presented by doctoral students and invited speakers. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 252.
1 unit, Aut (Howard, R), Win (Howard, R), Spr (Staff)
MS&E 455. Decision Making in Organizations
Lectures and war stories from management consultants experienced in applying decision analysis. Student teams critique decisions from news articles, case studies, and interviews with leaders of local organizations. Topics: roles people play, normative versus descriptive approaches, avoiding traps and failure modes, decision process and content quality, biases, expert judgments, economic analysis, creativity, organizational behavior, leadership styles, decision psychology, mutual learning models, advocacy and inquiry, new venture investing, and portfolio evaluation. Recommended corequisite: 252.
2 units, Aut (Robinson, B)
MS&E 456. Decision Analysis Applications
Management consultants reveal behind-the-scenes insights about how decision analysis models and methods are applied to make technically and organizationally complex decisions for private-sector and public-sector organizations. Student teams apply state-of-the-art tools to frame, structure, model, assess, and analyze real examples. Cases discussed: C5 Corvette design, global competition for HDTV market, DRAM manufacturing, movie studio portfolios, pharmaceutical drug development, oil and gas exploration and production, financial derivatives, litigation strategy, electric power regulation, and marine resource preservation. Recommended: 252, 455. Recommended corequisite: 352.
2 units, Win (Robinson, B)
MS&E 457. Decision Analysis Projects
A virtual consulting firm directed by decision analysts. Student teams receive guidance from a mentor as they help local businesses, governments, or other institutions make a current strategy or policy decision. Projects typically include start-up venture funding, R&D portfolio planning, new product market entry, acquisition or partnering, cost reduction, program design, or regulatory policy decisions. Emphasis is on developing clarity of action and delivering insights to clients. Satisfies MS&E project course requirement Prerequiste: 252 or equivalent. Recommended: 352, 455, 456.
3 units, Spr (Robinson, B)
MS&E 458. Professional Decision Consulting: Marketing Services, Delivering Results, and Balancing Lifestyle
Management consultants share lessons about professional services marketing, pricing to value, leading and managing consulting projects, communicating with diverse audiences, and delivering insights that exceed client expectations. What it looks like from inside a consulting firm, the client's view, and the consulting industry perspective. Student teams develop answers to frequently asked questions, prepare marketing materials, and present proposals for consulting services to decision makers in local organizations.
2 units, Aut (Robinson, B)
MS&E 464. Global Project Coordination
Students engage in projects that are global in nature, and related to the planning, design, and operations of supply chains, marketing, manufacturing, and product development. Project teams from Stanford and an overseas university work on common projects using telephones, faxes, email, Internet, video conferences, and face-to-face meetings. As part of the project, students travel to Hong Kong. Applications due in November. See http://www.stanford.edu/class/msande464/.
3-4 units, not given this year
MS&E 472. Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders' Seminar
Entrepreneurial leaders share lessons from real-world experiences across entrepreneurial settings. ETL speakers include entrepreneurs, leaders from global technology companies, venture capitalists, and best-selling authors. Half-hour talks followed by half hour of class interaction. Required web discussion. May be repeated for credit.
1 unit, Aut (Dearing, M; Seelig, T), Win (Dearing, M; Seelig, T), Spr (Dearing, M; Seelig, T)
MS&E 474. Business and Environmental Issues
(Same as GSBGEN 547.) Overlap and synergies between business and environmental fields. Guest speakers from for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Past speakers have included business executives, alternative energy experts, environmental consultants, and professors. Group assignments.
2 units, Spr (Plambeck, E; Sweeney, J)
MS&E 485A. Introduction to Crosscultural Design
Preparation for 485B. Workshop and initial project work in teams.
1 unit, Win (Hinds, P)
MS&E 485B. Crosscultural Design
The design of products and services for a global world. How to design products or services to be used across cultures; how to design for a culture other than one's own; and how the process of design is approached in different cultures. Prerequisite: 485A.
3-4 units, Spr (Hinds, P)
MS&E 491. Real-World Clean Energy Project Development
Student teams prepare and present a development plan for a clean energy project of their choice, specifying the resource, technology, market, end-use, and policy and regulatory factors. Management plan and financial and economic evaluation. Readings and presentations on topics in clean energy. Guest speakers involved in project development.
3 units, not given this year
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