Course Description Document

Course Title	Operational Research and Data Science (2026-27)
Course Code	9507
Award Title	Master of Science (MSc)
Awarding Body	University of Southampton
Teaching Institution	University of Southampton
Regulated by	Office for Students
Accreditation	None
Regulations	The Regulations of the University can be found on the University's Governance Webpages: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/governance/regulations-policies
Location of study	Southampton
Length of the course	12 Months
Tuition Fees	Fees for students can be located by the student fees page. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/money-matters/student-fees/index.page

Course Overview

An MSc is generally accepted as being highly desirable for starting and developing a career in Operational Research (OR) or a related area such as data analytics. The MSc is also a good preparation for research work.
This programme, with its vocational focus, is designed to provide training in a broad range of numerate skills covering mathematical modelling and optimisation.
A highlight of the programme is the 3-month summer project. You will have the option to bid for an external project which is usually based at a nearby company or public service and requires working on a real problem of practical importance. You also have the option to work on an internal project which might involve data from external sources. The MSc project consists of an individual investigation and is under the supervision of a member of staff. This project enables students to integrate and consolidate skills learned on the course (and to fulfil deliverables for the sponsoring company in the case of an external project). Some students may prefer to work on a more structured problem and we also offer the option of completing two case studies over the summer in place of the dissertation.

Aims of the Course

The aims of the programme are to:
•Introduce you to the ideas of mathematical model building;
•Introduce you to the main techniques, methods and approaches of operational research, emphasising both the underlying concepts and their practical application;
•Offer you the opportunity to study contiguous disciplines such as finance and management;
•Offer you the opportunity to study more specialised topics selected from a range of options, but within a coherent framework;
•Develop your operational research skills for problem solving, including modelling of deterministic and stochastic systems, and designing solution approaches;
•Give you the experience of applying the problem-solving skills you have learned, by working on a project or case studies;
•Develop key transferable skills, including personal organisation, teamwork, finding and using information, and written and oral communication.

Course Structure

The tables below provide a list of the modules that make up your course.

Each module is worth a specified number of credits: you can take a combination of core and compulsory modules enabling you to cover key subject knowledge. Some courses have option modules which enable you to develop your own interests.

Your programme requires a certain number of credits. The number of option modules you can take depends on the number of core and compulsory modules and this is also influenced by the requirements of the regulatory requirements for professionally accredited courses. Some courses also have pre and co-requisites, and these are included in individual module information.

Your learning will be led by the latest research, and modules can change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. You can always find the most up-to-date information about your modules and who is teaching them via the information on our webpages and, post enrolment, via the Faculty hub.

If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an option module, it may not be offered. If an option module will not be run, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

The core and compulsory modules available on your course are as follows:

Part I Typical programme content There is a high demand in business and industry for numerate graduates with a broad spectrum of skills ranging from technical mathematical modelling skills to work skills such as communication and teamwork. This programme, with its vocational focus, is designed is meet such a need. You will be provided with training and education in the techniques, methods and approaches of operational research, and in their application to practical problems arising in organisational contexts. The structure allows you to select options ranging from the more theoretical aspects of operational research to those which cover more general management skills. While studying for your degree, you will develop key work skills, such as written and oral communication, the use of IT, teamwork, time management, and basic research skills including the use of the web and the library. Programme details The structure of the programme and the modules currently offered are set out below. Of the modules shown against each part of your programme, some are compulsory (i.e. enrolment is automatic) and others are optional. Against each part, you are directed to which modules are compulsory and which are optional. The optional modules listed constitute an indicative list. There will always be choice but the options might vary. A list of optional modules will be available to you via the Student Record Self-Service system once you enrol at the University. A flexible and inclusive approach to learning and teaching will enable any student who meets the entry requirements to access the curriculum and demonstrate achievement of all the intended learning outcomes. This approach should minimise the need for individual alternations to be made for disabled students. The programme is normally studied over 12 months full-time (or 27 months part-time). The taught component of the programme consists of 30 study weeks divided into two semesters during which time students study the equivalent of eight full modules (60 ECTS/120 CATS). Students then undertake a three-month period of supervised research for a Master’s dissertation (six months for part-time students) at a value of 30 ECTS/60 CATS or two case studies, each worth 15 ECTS / 60 CATS. The option modules shown below constitute an indicative list; there will always be choice but the options might vary between years. A full list of modules and rules will be available to you via the Student Record Self-Service system once you enrol at the University.
Part I Compulsory In addition to the following modules, MATH6167 (CORMSIS practitioner talks and project briefings) is Compulsory (0 credits).
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
MATH6119	Analytical Consultancy Skills	3.75	Compulsory
MATH6183	Data Mining and Analytics	7.5	Compulsory
MATH6189	Introduction to Python	3.75	Compulsory
MATH6006	Statistical Methods for OR Modelling	7.5	Compulsory
MATH6194	OR Methods for Data Scientists	7.5	Compulsory
MATH6193	Advanced Operational Research Methods	7.5	Compulsory
Part I Optional Core Please select 60 credits from the following. Once selected the module(s) will become CORE Note you must select MATH6185 AND MATH6186 as a pair
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
MATH6185	Operational Research and Data Science Case Study 1	15	Optional/Core
MATH6186	Operational Research and Data Science Case Study 2	15	Optional/Core
MATH6001	Project	30	Optional/Core
Part I Options Please select 30 credits from the following
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
MANG6143	Project Risk Management	7.5	Optional
MANG6537	Project Management	7.5	Optional
MANG6314	Integrated Logistics	7.5	Optional
MATH6184	Computational Machine Learning and Optimisation	7.5	Optional
MATH6112	Computer-based statistical modelling	3.75	Optional
MATH6017	Financial Portfolio Theory	3.75	Optional
MATH6169	Flexible Regression	7.5	Optional
MATH6011	Forecasting	3.75	Optional
MATH6146	Revenue Management	3.75	Optional

Learning and Teaching

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning, and assessment activity, with each ECTS credit taken equivalent to 20 hours of student effort. While your actual contact hours may depend on the option modules you select, the information available on our webpages give an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities.

When not attending lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and for other types of assessments and examinations.

Full information about contact hours is provided in individual module information.

How we'll assess you

Your course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your module mark. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or formative assessment for which you receive feedback.

Formative assessments are developmental, and any results do not count towards your module mark, but they are an important part of your learning.

Summative assessments usually take place at the end of each module, although some may have interim assessments throughout. Assessment methods might include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and projects for example. The marks from summative assessments count towards your module mark.

The information available on our website gives an indication of the assessment methods used on your course.

Staff involved in delivering the different elements of the course

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on your course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.

Postgraduate research students who have undertaken appropriate training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars if their research specialism is directly related to the topic of the module and may also be involved in practical classes, project work and field trips. All contributions will be carried out under the supervision of the module leader.

Fees

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Extra costs you may experience

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Depending on the nature of your course, you may be able to choose modules which may have additional costs, such as field studies, travel overseas or industrial placements which will change the overall cost of your course. Details of these costs can be found in module information.

Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations.

The following course-related costs are not included in your fees:

Type	Details
Calculators	Where a calculator is required, all Casio Calculators are allowed but they must be Non-Programmable, Scientific models. More information is available in the Examination Regulations https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/assessment/assess-overview/exam-regulations.page
Stationery	You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items that you may need will be specified in the relevant module profile.
Textbooks	Where a module specifies essential texts, the Library will identify the optimal option(s) to support the module via the course Reading List. This may include e-books (ideally with unlimited concurrent usage) or a digitised chapter extract, supported by a limited number of print books (where available). You may request that the Library purchases additional print copies via 'suggest a book', borrow an additional copy via our inter-library-loans service or you may prefer to buy your own copies for high demand titles.
Printing	In most cases, written coursework such as essays and projects are submitted online. However it may be necessary to submit a hard copy of some projects, business projects and dissertations. The costs of printing a hard copy for submission of such work will be your responsibility. You will also have to cover the cost of photocopying. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/students/printing.
Hardware	Public workstations are available, but iPads, laptops etc., are to be purchased as the student wishes.
Optional Visits (e.g. museums, galleries)	We offer the possibility of optional off-site visits occasionally during the programme. When these occur, students may be expected to cover the associated transport costs.
Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)	Where placements involve working away from Southampton, the additional costs of travel and accommodation will usually be covered by a bursary that is given to the student towards the start of the project.
Software Licenses	Licenses for software recommended as part of the programme will be provided by the University on University machines. In some cases, students may wish to purchase software to use on their own computers.

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

You may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs.

If you are a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.

Financial Support

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice regarding student finances. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course. You can find more information about financial support via our webpages: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/money-matters/student-support-fund/index.page

Academic support

The Student Support Hub is your first point of contact when it comes to seeking support. The team will answer your questions or concerns about your wellbeing, fees and funding, accommodation and visas. The team will help make sure you receive the support you need, guiding you to further support services where required. You can find more information about student support via our webpages:

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/index.page

One of the most important people you will meet while you are a student at Southampton is your Personal Academic Tutor, who will be allocated to you for your arrival at the University and who is normally a member of academic staff in your own or a closely related subject area. Your Personal Academic Tutor will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your time at Southampton and will support you in your studies or with other issues you may have. You can find out more via our webpages:

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/academic-support-guidance/personal-tutor.page

Disclaimer

As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, this course may be revised during a student's period of registration; however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student's course.