University of Alberta - School of Business

Operations and Information Systems

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Program Information

School:University of Alberta - School of Business
Faculty:School of Business
Degree:Doctorate
Field of Study:Management Science, General
Description:Students in the Operations and Information Systems (OIS) major train to become scholars in Operations Management (OM) and Management Information Systems (MIS). All students receive training in the fundamentals of both OM and MIS and in-depth training in at least one of these two disciplines. OM and MIS intersect in various ways. The fields share a focus on understanding and improving business processes. OM and MIS researchers often reside in the same university departments and belong to the same professional societies. The goal of the PhD in OIS is to train the student to perform and publish first-class research, in preparation for a career at a research-intensive university.



OM is concerned with how to organize the production of goods and services by private firms and public sector entities. OM research addresses questions about how best to design, plan, and execute the tasks needed to produce a product or service. OM research has traditionally emphasized mathematical modelling, and in particular optimization, stochastic, and simulation models, but OM research also employs experiments, surveys, and analysis of secondary data. MIS is concerned with the collection, storage, and use of information within organizations. MIS research addresses questions about how technology and information shape and facilitate the work that is done in organizations. MIS research uses methodologies from a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to the social sciences, mathematics, and computer science.

URL:Operations and Information Systems at University of Alberta - School of Business
Length:4 Year(s)

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites:*These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
    The program seeks prospective candidates with an excellent scholastic record and a strong interest in research related to their chosen field of business studies. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from a recognized university and sufficiently high grades. They should also have a grade point average (GPA) for the last two years of full-time study of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 on the University of Alberta grade scale and from Canadian or American schools with a comparable scale.
    Test Scores:
    • Graduate Management Admission Test or Graduate Record Examination
    Application Notes : Applicants must have three letters of reference evaluating an applicant's capability for original research, as well as a statement of purpose identifying potential thesis supervisors and topics of research interest.
    Additional Admission Requirements:
    • Letter(s) of Reference
    • Statement of Research Interests

    * We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.

    Modified on December 28, 2022