Operations research is the study of technical and analytical tools for management decision making. The growth of the field is closely linked to developments in computing capabilities. The analyst must have a solid working knowledge of computers to manage and process enormous amounts of information vital to the daily activities of a modern complex organization. The program is designed to prepare graduates for industrial and governmental opportunities in management consulting, transportation, telecommunications, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, logistics and the service industries.

According to the general definition of systems engineering from the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE): Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems. It focuses on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle, documenting requirements, then proceeding with design synthesis and system validation while considering the complete problem: Operations, Performance, Test, Manufacturing, Cost & Schedule, Training & Support and Disposal. Systems engineering integrates all the disciplines and specialty groups into a team effort forming a structured development process that proceeds from concept to production to operation.

The Master of Science in Engineering Entrepreneurship is a two-semester (31 Credit Hour) cohort-based program in the EMIS Department of the Lyle School of Engineering, offered in concert with Lyle (19 CH) and the Cox School of Business (12 CH). Incoming students will have an engineering undergraduate degree (or equivalent).

SMU-Lyle's Master of Science in Engineering Management was developed for individuals who have an undergraduate technical degree and are or will be rising through management or starting their own company. The engineering management degree is designed to impart essential knowledge for today and tomorrow s technology-driven business.

The Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering and the Edwin L. Cox School of Business offer a two-year, dual degree in Master of Science in Engineering (with one of the specific degrees listed below) and Master of Business Administration, with as few as 68 credit hours. The program is intended for full-time graduate students with bachelor's degrees in engineering or science. The program is offered on-campus, although some of the engineering courses may be taken by means of the Lyle School s distance learning facilities. This program is geared toward recent graduates as well as early-career professionals employed in the engineering and technology sector who desire to broaden and deepen their skills to further their career opportunities and become leaders in technology with the appropriate business and management acumen.