The Major in Decision Science

Peter Schwardmann, Faculty Director
Location: Porter Hall 319F
schwardmann@cmu.edu

Lizzy Stoyle, Senior Academic Advisor
Advises Primary Majors in Decision Science
Location: Porter Hall 208G
estoyle@andrew.cmu.edu
Schedule an appointment: https://go.oncehub.com/LizzyStoyle

Connie Angermeier, Senior Academic Program Manager and Advisor
Advises BHA, All Transfer Students, Additional Majors, and Minors in Decision Science
Location: Porter Hall 208H
cla2@andrew.cmu.edu
Schedule an appointment: https://go.oncehub.com/ConnieAngermeier

https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/sds/undergraduate/decision-science/index.html

Overview

Prerequisites

All Decision Science majors must complete mathematics, statistics, and analytic methods prerequisites (see below), by the end of the sophomore year.

Students must take one course from the following set (or an approved alternative).  Students may not count a course used to fulfill the Mathematics Prerequisite as also filling the Analytic Methods Prerequisite.  Students may not count a course used to fulfill the Analytic Methods Prerequisite as also filling a Decision Science elective.

Curriculum

The core curriculum in Decision Science consists of five courses providing the theoretical perspectives of Decision Science, two courses in research methods, and one capstone.

Core Courses

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88-120 should be taken in the freshman or sophomore year.

Electives45 units

Complete at least 45 units of courses from the following list.  Note that additional courses (most typically 88xxx courses) are occasionally added.  For the most up to date list of approved electives (and additional information about the courses), see the SDS website. Some courses have additional prerequisites.

Although the Decision Science major doesn't explicitly require students to take a capstone course, students who want to have real-world, professional experience should register for 88-454 Decision Science Capstone (this will count as one of the electives).  

At least three of these courses (27 units) must be Department of Social and Decision Sciences courses (88-xxx) from the approved list.

Decision Science, B.S. Sample Curriculum

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 88-120 should be taken as the first course in the Decision Science sequence. It is intended for students in their first or second year; it is offered in Fall and Spring semesters. It may be taken as late as the junior year.

This is presented as a recommended plan for completing major requirements. The major can be completed in as few as two years (not that it must be), but students may not have time for other opportunities such as additional majors or study abroad. Students may declare their major as early as the third week of the spring semester in the first year. Students who are planning to attend the Washington Semester Program, to study abroad, to apply for the Heinz Accelerated Masters Program, or to pursue an additional major/minor may have a very different curriculum map and should consult early – and often – with the Decision Science Academic Advisor.

Students are encouraged to consider the Washington Semester Program as part of their education. Suitable courses will be considered as fulfilling requirements of electives in the major. Please send the course syllabus, along with a note explaining how the course addresses fundamental aspects of decision science in one of the six elective categories to your DS advisor.

Additional Major in Decision Science

Students who elect Decision Science as an additional major must fulfill all of the requirements of the Decision Science major.

Students pursuing Behavioral Economics with an additional major in Decision Science may only count 36-202, 73-102, 88-120, 88-251 and 88-302  toward the completion of both majors.

Students pursuing Policy and Management with an additional major in Decision Science and may only count 36-202, 73-102, 88-223, and 88-251 toward the completion of both majors.

Additional majors cannot count menu electives toward simultaneously fulfilling more than one major or minor. Students who are interested in an additional major in Decision Science should see the Academic Advisor of the Decision Science program.