The Revolution in Management Science Instruction: Implications for Teaching Public Affairs Students

Abstract

A convergence of technological and institutional factors has driven rapid and dramatic change in the way introductory management science is taught, making it far more valuable for students preparing for careers in public administration, management, and policy analysis. This article sketches the origins and nature of these changes and their implications for management science instruction. It then describes one “modern” management science course taught at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz School of Public Policy and Management and gives pointers to resources readers can use to create or adapt courses for their own institutions.

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Notes on contributors

Jonathan P. Caulkins

Jonathan Caulkins is professor of Operations Research and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz School of Public Policy and is on the research staff at RAND's Drug Policy Research Center. Caulkins' research focuses on modeling and analyzing problems pertaining to drugs, crime, and violence, and how policies affect those problems. A common theme in his work is assessing the cost-effectiveness of various broad categories of drug and violence control interventions, such as incarceration and prevention. Caulkins also does research in statistical rating and performance evaluation.