Introducing Undergraduates to the Spirit of OR whilst Imparting Substantive Skills

Abstract

This paper presents an outline of two introductory undergraduate courses in OR which specifically aim to emphasize aspects of Operational Research (OR) other than just the mathematical tools involved. The courses were developed independently, but have many similarities and both address the same problem — how to present the broad and somewhat elusive nature of practical OR to undergraduate students encountering the subject for the first time. It is the authors' belief that, although difficult, this is both desirable and possible within the resource constraints which naturally apply to undergraduate level teaching. A basic understanding of the general nature and philosophy of OR at an early stage can do much to stimulate and motivate students to get the most out of their further studies, not only in OR, but also in statistics, computing, applied mathematics and related fields. Both of the courses described include elements such as special lectures, case studies, group working, report writing and management games — ideas which may be able to be adapted and improved to be of use in a variety of introductory OR courses.

Keywords:

• OR Education
• Learning
• Training