Decision Sciences Major

• What is Decision Sciences?
• What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Decision Sciences?
• What Courses Do Decision Sciences Majors Take?
• List of Decision Sciences Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Decision Sciences Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Decision Sciences?

Decision science is the science of rational decision-making and the study, design and integration of complex situations and systems. Its goal is predicting system behavior and improving or optimizing system performance. It considers managerial decision making, mathematical and computer modeling and the use of computer technology for informed decision-making. Decision science majors synthesize elements of management planning and implementation and control into mathematical models that guide decision-making. This discipline focuses on analytical techniques designed to help decision makers choose among a set of alternatives in light of all possible consequences. In industry and government, considerable demand exists for those who are skilled in modern methods of decision-making and systems design and who are capable of managing complex social and technical systems. Decision science may also called industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, operations management and management science. Industrial engineering and manufacturing engineering are found in colleges of engineering, while decision science and operations research are found in colleges of business. The curriculum reflect the orientation of the courses and curriculum design. Graduates of these programs may go on to advise public and private organizations on energy policy; design and operate urban emergency systems. They implement systems in defense; health care; water resource planning; criminal justice; transportation and a variety of other organizations. They can respond to a variety of design and operational issues in communication and data networks; computer operations; marketing; finance; inventory planning; manufacturing; and many areas designed to improve business productivity and efficiency.

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What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?

Various specializations related to a major in Decision Sciences may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:

Analytical Consulting	Biostatistics
Business Administration	Information Management
Operations Research	Statistics

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What Kinds of Students Major in Decision Sciences?

Students in this field are interested in both management and mathematics, with an emphasis on the latter. They appreciate the very complex problem solving in which modeling and analysis play a heavy role.

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What Courses Do Decision Sciences Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Decision Sciences majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Basian Statistics	Biostatistics
Data Analysis	Decision Support Systems
Descriptive Statistics	Management Decision Analysis
Managerial Problem Solving	Modeling Techniques
Risk Management

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List of Potential Jobs in Decision Sciences

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Biostatistician	Clinical Statistician
Efficiency Analyst	General Management
Management Consultant	Planner
Project Manager	Researcher
Systems Analyst

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What is the Median Salary Range for Decision Sciences Careers?

Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Decision Sciences

MyMajors complete list has 220 schools in the USA with a major in Decision Sciences.
-View the national listing!

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