Send me a PDF copyHighlights
- Learn to design, operate and/or predict behaviour of complex systems like people, machinery, materials and money in industry, business, finance, education, government and defence.
- Use mathematical models and numerical algorithms to make appropriate and better decisions in complex decision-making problems.
- Employ advanced analytical methods such as operations research, financial mathematics, stochastic and mathematical modelling, and mathematical optimisation.
- Work within different industries including manufacturing and production, management, health care, finance and economics, goods and services, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, mining and defence.
Highlights
- Learn to design, operate and/or predict behaviour of complex systems like people, machinery, materials and money in industry, business, finance, education, government and defence.
- Use mathematical models and numerical algorithms to make appropriate and better decisions in complex decision-making problems.
- Employ advanced analytical methods such as operations research, financial mathematics, stochastic and mathematical modelling, and mathematical optimisation.
- Work within different industries including manufacturing and production, management, health care, finance and economics, goods and services, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, mining and defence.
- QUT is ranked sixth for statistics and operational research in Australia (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).
Why choose this course?
The operations research major encompasses the study of quantitative techniques relevant to decision-making in its broadest sense. You will employ a problem-solving approach, using advanced analytical methods such as operations research, financial mathematics, stochastic and mathematical modelling, and mathematical optimisation. You will also use a variety of software and improve your information technology skills.
Because of its emphasis on human-technology interaction and its focus on practical applications, operations research is a multidisciplinary field, notably overlapping with industrial engineering and operations management, and economics and finance.
The coursework also introduces you to different industries and processes that greatly contribute to the economy and environment of nations around the world. These include manufacturing and production, management, health care, finance and economics, goods and services, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, mining and defence. This study area provides a foundation for a variety of careers and further study.
Why choose this course?
The operations research major encompasses the study of quantitative techniques relevant to decision-making in its broadest sense. You will employ a problem-solving approach, using advanced analytical methods such as operations research, financial mathematics, stochastic and mathematical modelling, and mathematical optimisation. You will also use a variety of software and improve your information technology skills. Because of its emphasis on human-technology interaction and its focus on practical applications, operations research is a multidisciplinary field, notably overlapping with industrial engineering and operations management, and economics and finance.
The coursework also introduces you to different industries and processes that greatly contribute to the economy and environment of nations around the world. These include manufacturing and production, management, health care, finance and economics, goods and services, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, mining and defence. This study area provides a foundation for a variety of careers and further study.
Operations research is a mathematical discipline that considers how to make appropriate and better decisions in complex decision-making problems. It deals with how best to design, operate and/or predict behaviour of complex systems like people, machinery, materials and money in industry, business, finance, education, government and defence.
Mathematics graduates play integral roles in the workplace, developing mathematical models and numerical algorithms to answer what-if scenarios, and design experiments to help guide research and improve processes.
Customise your degree
Foster your passion and shape your career through complementary study areas. As well as choosing a major area of study, your course includes a second study area, which can be either a second major or double minor.
A second major can complement your major area of study, giving you the opportunity to develop a significant depth of knowledge and skills in two discipline areas.
Mathematics Second Major
- Data Science provides the necessary skills to be a data scientist including statistical methods and data visualisation, computational tools and data management techniques for large datasets, and high-performance computing resources and techniques. This unique skill-set in statistics and computing will allow you to cope with sophisticated models applied to complex and/or large datasets.
Careers and outcomes
Operations research graduates typically have a wide range of choices for employment. The job markets for actuaries, finance and operations research analysts have been quite strong in recent years and are expected to remain so in the near future. In addition, students with excellent grades who desire more education in these areas will find a large number of opportunities for postgraduate study. The operations research major prepares you for careers or for further postgraduate study in such technical fields as management science, information technology, industrial engineering, strategic planning, systems analysis, financial analysis and actuarial science.
Professional recognition
On graduation you may be eligible for membership in the Australian Society for Operations Research Inc. (ASOR).
Other study options
Possible careers
- Actuary
- Financial advisor/analyst
- Ict administrator
- Mathematician
- Operations manager
- Research officer
- Risk manager
- Systems analyst
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $5,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $37,500 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: CSP $4,600 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $34,500 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Equity scholarships scheme
A scholarship for low-income students studying in any faculty.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Struggling financially
QUT Elite Sport Scholarship
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding sporting achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
International Merit Scholarship
A high achievement scholarship for future international undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Oodgeroo Noonuccal Undergraduate & Postgraduate Scholarship
The Oodgeroo Scholarship Program promotes the pursuit of Indigenous Australian studies by supporting the education of Indigenous Australians.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Indigenous Australian
QUT Budding Entrepreneur Scholarship
A scholarship for innovative individuals who are engaged in their passion for entrepreneurial action.
- Scholarship eligibility
QUT Rising Sports Scholarship (including esport)
Opportunities exist for aspiring esports players to be part of an Oceanic leading program that embraces skill-acquisition, culture and academics.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
QUT Real World International Scholarship
A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance