Operations Research and Financial Engineering (ORFE) combines emerging information technologies with powerful mathematical models to help manage complex corporate systems. Students in ORFE develop three sets of skills: mathematical skills in optimization, probability, stochastic processes, and statistics, since these form the basis for modeling/controlling complex systems; computers and information technology skills, since these provide the means by which we collect, store, and manipulate vast amounts of information; and people skills, since the ultimate goal of our work is to change the way people think. Students in operations research focus on operational problems such as airline crew schedule and logistics. Financial engineering addresses risk management and strategic planning.

Financial engineers design innovative financial instruments and strategies to meet the needs of individuals and corporations. They obtain positions on Wall Street, with financial companies such as banks, insurance companies, hedge funds, and consulting firms, as well as in the CFO's office in major corporations.