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    • Operations Research

    Operations Research Courses Online

    Study operations research for solving complex organizational problems. Learn about optimization, simulation, and decision analysis techniques.

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    Explore the Operations Research Course Catalog

    • Status: New
      New
      C

      Coursera

      Instagram Analytics: Optimize Performance

      Skills you'll gain: Instagram, Content Performance Analysis, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Content Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Brand Awareness, Competitive Analysis, Drive Engagement

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: New
      New
      C

      Coursera

      From Concept to Critique: Prototyping with Sketch

      Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, Design Reviews, Prototyping, Interaction Design, Mockups, UI/UX Research, Wireframing, Usability Testing, User Flows

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

      Master of Science in Accounting

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • U

      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

      Graduate Certificate in Taxation

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing

      Credit offered

      Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months

    • U

      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

      Financial Management Graduate Certificate

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing

      Credit offered

      Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months

    • U

      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

      Master of Business Administration (iMBA)

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Data Collection, Corporate Tax

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    • H

      HEC Paris

      Trust Based Leadership University Certificate

      Skills you'll gain:

      University Certificate · 6 - 12 Months

    • U

      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

      Graduate Certificate in Accounting Data Analytics

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing

      Credit offered

      Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months

    • P

      Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

      Certificado en Bases de la Salud Pública

      Skills you'll gain: Epidemiology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Health Disparities, Biostatistics, Health Policy, Health Systems, Healthcare Ethics, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Health Technology, Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Health Care, Scientific Methods, Health Equity, Community Health, Preventative Care, Statistics, Research Design, Research Methodologies

      Credit offered

      Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Microsoft

      Indexing, Performance Optimization & Functions in SQL Server

      Skills you'll gain:

      Beginner · Course

    • U

      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

      Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Graduate Certificate

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing

      Credit offered

      Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months

    • U

      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

      Master of Science in Management

      Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing

      Earn a degree

      Degree · 1 - 4 Years

    Operations Research learners also search

    Operations Management
    Operations Analytics
    Business
    Management
    Business Management
    Business Development
    Project Management
    Business Projects
    1…338339340341

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular operations research courses

    • Instagram Analytics: Optimize Performance: Coursera
    • From Concept to Critique: Prototyping with Sketch: Coursera
    • Master of Science in Accounting: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Graduate Certificate in Taxation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Financial Management Graduate Certificate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Master of Business Administration (iMBA): University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Trust Based Leadership University Certificate: HEC Paris
    • Graduate Certificate in Accounting Data Analytics: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Certificado en Bases de la Salud Pública: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
    • Indexing, Performance Optimization & Functions in SQL Server: Microsoft

    Skills you can learn in Business Strategy

    Modeling (25)
    Market (economics) (21)
    Plan (19)
    Planning (16)
    Strategic Management (16)
    Business Model (13)
    Operations Management (13)
    Analytics (12)
    Evaluation (12)
    Project Management (11)
    Supply Chain (10)
    Decision-making (9)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Operations Research

    Operations research is the use of statistical analysis and mathematical optimization techniques to help organizations solve problems and improve decision-making. The ability to harness vast amounts of data on day-to-day operations has created opportunities to rigorously optimize processes for cost, quality control, inventory management, and other goals, making operations research an important part of many businesses.

    The tools of operations research are similar to those of other fields relying heavily on quantitative analysis and statistics. Operational data is input into programs such as Microsoft Excel and Solver, R, and Python, where mathematical optimization techniques such as linear programming (LP) are applied to find the best solution for business problems. Monte Carlo simulations and other probabilistic analyses may also be used to discover areas of sensitivity and risk.

    These data-driven insights are typically applied according to process management and process improvement frameworks such as Six Sigma and Lean, which strive to reduce variation and eliminate waste in operations.‎

    Operations research is a core competency of careers in operations management, supply chain management, and logistics. This skill is particularly highly valued by businesses in manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and other industries where companies must compete to deliver goods and services with complex supply chains in cost-sensitive markets.

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, operations research analysts earned a median annual salary of $84,810 in 2019. These jobs are also expected to grow much faster than jobs in the rest of the economy, due to the explosive growth in the availability of operations data along with the increasing importance of adopting these data-driven approaches to remain competitive in many industries. Operations research analysts typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in technical and quantitative fields such as engineering, computer science, analytics, or mathematics, as few schools offer degrees in operations research specifically.‎

    Certainly. Coursera offers courses and Specializations on operations research and related topics such as supply chain and operations management, operational analytics, and statistical research. Offered by excellent schools such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Melbourne, and Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, these courses give you the opportunity to learn remotely on a flexible schedule and a lower tuition than on-campus students. Whether you’re a student or mid-career professional looking to add new skills to your repertoire, Coursera gives you the opportunity to optimize your operations research education to fit your specific needs.‎

    The skills and experience that you might need to already have before starting to learn operations research may include knowledge of mathematical and engineering methods, understanding of the fundamentals of business, and some background in linear programming, a math technique to solve systems of linear constraints. All of these can help you fully grasp the basics of operations research. Furthermore, having a background that includes computer algorithms and optimization techniques can help you to better analyze optimization problems in computer science, civil engineering, economics, and management. This multifaceted field is also linked with machine learning, as some operations researchers are sampling machine learning methods to test various metrics in a particular optimization process.‎

    The kind of people who are best suited for operations research work are often quantitative thinkers who are detailed and analytical. These people use mathematics formulas to help companies study labor needs, cost scenarios, product distribution, and other factors. In doing this work, they need to be curious, methodical, rational, and logical. Because operations researchers understand how algorithms, math, and statistics may impact workflows, budgets, employee staffing, and profitability, they also tend to be the kind of people who are investigative in nature, using their intellect and curiosity in the work.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Operations Research, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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