Empowering Society With Better Decision-Making
Through mathematical modeling we develop essential decision-making tools for a wide range of industries. Whether devising more effective transportation systems, improving healthcare outcomes, or streamlining business operations, we play a crucial role in shaping our world for the better.
Our Degree Programs
- Minor
- B.S.
- M.Eng.On Campus
- M.Eng.Distance Learning
- M.S.
- Ph.D.
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Operations Research and Information Engineering
Optimizes complex systems using data and mathematical models. Ideal for those interested in logistics, decision-making, and improving processes.
Strategic Research Areas
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Algorithms
The engine at the core of the computerized solution of any mathematical model.
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Applied Probability
The application of probability theory to other scientific and engineering domains.
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Data Science
Statistics and computation combined to make sense of data so that it can be used to make better decisions.
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Financial Engineering
Financial engineering is a process that utilizes existing financial instruments to create a new and enhanced product of some type.
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Information Technology Modeling
Managing the exchange of information between devices and systems.
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![City skyline at night with a glowing orb of zeros and ones superimposed.]()
Networks
Analysis of flows and relationships between different components within a system.
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Optimization
The finding of minima and maxima of functions, subject to so-called constraints.
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![Digital representation supply chains showing curved lines and many zeroes and ones.]()
Supply Chain
The network involved in getting a product from its raw materials to the final customer.
News Highlights
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![The software Frazier’s team is developing can enable optimal transportation to meet a diverse range of needs: food, water, fuel, shelter, munitions, medical supplies and soldiers with special skillsets.]()
Research at risk: fast delivery of blood transfusions, supplies for troops
Cornell researchers have been building decision-support tools, optimization methods and artificial intelligence approaches to help the U.S. Navy and Marines quickly and effectively transport people and supplies – including blood for transfusions – in the event of an overseas conflict or humanitarian disaster.
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Cornell faculty honored for community-engaged innovation
Thirteen faculty members from across Cornell are being honored by the Einhorn Center for Community Engagement with this year’s Community-Engaged Practice and Innovation Awards.
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Cornell Engineering trio named Weiss Presidential Fellows
Three members of the Cornell Engineering faculty have been named Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellows, Cornell’s highest honors for graduate and undergraduate teaching. The Stephen H. Weiss Teaching Awards honor teaching faculty in three categories who have a sustained…
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![Mark Lewis]()
Mark Lewis named INFORMS president-elect
Mark Lewis, the Maxwell M. Upson Professor, was named the 2025 Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) president-elect. Lewis will serve a one-year term as president elect, effective Jan.1, and then will serve…
Upcoming Events
Alumni Profiles
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![Sean Sinclair]()
Math with a purpose – using probability and statistics for the greater good
Updated on December 3, 2024: Sean Sinclair earned his Ph.D. in Operations Research from Cornell in 2023. He is now an assistant professor of industrial engineering and management sciences in the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University in…
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![Irene Poh]()
M.Eng. alum asks “What can I learn next?”
Operations Research and Information Engineering M.Eng. alum Irene Poh ’01 M.Eng. ’02 believes that one key to a successful and satisfying career is to avoid defining your job as simply what you do. “It’s so much better to always ask…
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![Jamie Hintlian ORIE alumni]()
All roads seem to lead Jamie Hintlian back to Cornell
“Originally, I was thinking I might major in mechanical engineering, but then I saw how OR involved applying math, which had a lot of appeal. And I learned about modeling and simulations and game theory from Professor David Heath and it all resonated with me deeply,” Hintlian said. He declared his major and never looked back.
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![Radhika Kulkarni]()
A life and a career spent finding the right solutions
“The kindness of Cornell has made a real difference in my life,” Kulkarni said. “They were willing to waive the application fee and then when I switched departments, Mathematics was willing to fund my second year, even though by then I was in OR. And then they made it possible for me to complete the final year of my doctoral program after I had moved to Georgia with my husband.”
