Information and Decision Sciences (IDS) programs and research emphasize the critical role of information systems, operations management, and data analytics in businesses and organizations.
With a faculty comprised of world-class researchers and experienced industry professionals, we are committed to educating the next generation of leaders in the cutting-edge technologies and solutions that increasingly define success in the global market.
Programs and Research Heading link
Programs
Our program curriculum evolves to encompass ongoing technological change and its effects on business. It emphasizes experiential learning and includes real world projects that integrate foundational knowledge at the business-technology interface. Projects with industry partners are a required component for both our undergraduate and graduate programs. These projects are supported by industry sponsors and faculty who are actively engaged with the Chicago-area business community. Our programs produce well-rounded analysts, consultants, and managers who are ready to meet the growing demand for these skills in the marketplace.
Research
Research is an integral part of what we do. Our faculty is engaged in fundamental research at the forefront of some of the most important questions faced by modern businesses and socio-economic systems. IDS faculty are active in research in three main areas: 1. Information Management and Systems, 2. Business Analytics – Machine Learning, Statistics and Optimization, and 3. Supply Chain and Operations Management.
pride points Heading link
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Top 50 Information Systems Program -UT Dallas Top Business School Research Rankings
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4 STEM Designated Master’s Degrees in Business
Degree Programs Heading link
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Undergraduate Degree
Concentrations/Minors:
- Management Information Systems
- Supply Chain and Operations Management
- Business Analytics
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Graduate Degree Programs
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PhD Degree Programs
BS in IDS Degree Requirements
Apply Here Graduate and Doctoral Admissions
Student Experience Heading link
“This summer I will intern at JP Morgan Chase as a Corporate Analyst in Tampa, Florida. I am excited to gain hands-on experience in an analysts role in banking. Ask me about pairing technology with business!”
| IDS Major ('23)
Related Groups & Centers Heading link
Student Organizations Heading link
Student Organization Spotlight: INFORMS Heading link
At UIC Business, many of our graduate students share their passion for information systems and data analytics as members of the UIC Chapter of the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS), the largest professional association for decision and data sciences. INFORMS at UIC was declared a Magna Cum Laude winner of the 2024 Student Chapter Annual Awards and was honored during a special ceremony at the 2024 INFORMS Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA on October 20-24. The award is based on an evaluation of the Student Chapter Activity Report that includes the following criteria: Communications, Special Events & Initiatives, Community Service and Chapter Operations. Congratulations!
Programs and Research In Action Heading link
Selva Nadarajah
Selva Nadarajah is an associate professor of Information and Decision Sciences. His research at UIC focuses on dynamic valuation and decision-making in investment and operations, helping organizations navigate disruption and advance sustainability. His team studies energy transition through risk and reinforcement learning, collaborating with international organizations and national laboratories like Argonne. Recognized as a UIC Global Scholar, he develops decision models and algorithms for managing risk in large-scale operations.
Dr. Nadarajah’s research on corporate renewable power targets introduces new methods for balancing cost, risk, and renewable energy commitments, winning the 2021 CEMA Best Paper Award and the 2020 INFORMS Young Researcher Prize for Energy. His work on self-adapting network relaxations for Markov decision processes enhances the scalability of reinforcement learning in complex decision-making problems. As the Decision Intelligence R&D lead at the Discovery Partner’s Institute (DPI) in Chicago, he helps municipalities and businesses align financial and sustainability goals.
Brad Sturt
Brad Sturt is an assistant professor of Information and Decision Sciences. His research leverages optimization and analytics to address complex societal issues. Recently, he has focused on enhancing the security and administration of U.S. elections. Collaborating with agencies like the Michigan Bureau of Elections, Brad has developed innovative methods for optimal ballot inventory management and rigorous testing of voting machines. These advancements have been implemented in elections through the country and inspired the creation of a startup dedicated to improving election processes.
Brad’s research also spans revenue management, refugee resettlement, and financial engineering. Topics include determining retail product mix to optimize revenue, matching refugees to cities and host countries to maximize gainful employment and determining the optimal financial value of complex financial derivatives. His work, published in prestigious journals such as Management Science and Operations Research, earned second place in the INFORMS JFIG Paper Competition and the INFORMS George Nicholson Student Paper Competition.
UIC Students Participate in ProMat 2023 Heading link
Led by Matt Liotine, Clinical Professor of IDS, a cohort of UIC graduate students participated in the ProMat 2023 Trade Show Student Day event in Chicago. The group of 20 was comprised of students from the Supply Chain & Operations Management program, Industrial Engineering program, and the Operations Management Group (OMG) student organization.