Program Requirements:
Technology & Operations Management
Below please find the 2012-2013 program requirements.
Students in TOM generally complete the program in four to five years. Below are the program requirements:
Coursework
Prerequisites
Introduction to Probability and Statistics: All doctoral students enrolled in the TOM DBA program are required to have completed one undergraduate or graduate course in introductory probability and statistics. If this requirement has not been fulfilled prior to matriculation, then an equivalent course will be required in the first term of the student's doctoral program.
Courses meeting this requirement include:
- HKS API-201a. Quantitative Analysis and Empirical Methods.
Doctoral Coursework
A minimum of 13 semester courses at doctoral level, plus unit seminars are required. Each semester students will consult with the Technology and Operations Management DBA faculty coordinator and/or advisor to receive approval of their course selections.
I. Foundational Courses (4 courses)
1. Perspectives in Management Research: This one semester course exposes students to cutting edge research across a spectrum of management functions and demonstrates how various types of research contribute to important management questions. Students are introduced to a range of vibrant scholars and are encouraged to foster a research community across the first year cohort.
- HBS 4008. Perspectives on Management Research.
2. Microeconomics Theory: A comprehensive two semester sequence on economic theory.
- HBS 4010/Economics 2020a. Microeconomic Theory I
- HBS 4011/Economics 2020b. Microeconomic Theory II
3. DBA Research Workshop: This year long course provides a structured research experience in which students can work on both the substance of a project and learn about the process of research. The course also provides a continual stimulus to completing a required second-year paper.
- HBS 4006. DBA Research Workshop
II. Research Methods Courses (4 courses)
Students must take one course from each of the following four categories. Pre-approval of the TOM DBA faculty coordinator is required if a student wishes to fulfill these requirements with alternative courses.
Introductory Applied Econometrics: One introductory course in applied econometrics is required. Students who have already taken an introductory applied econometrics course should substitute a more advanced course to fulfill this requirement. Courses that fulfill this requirement include:
- Econ 1123. Introduction to Econometrics
- Gov 2000. Introduction to Quantitative Methods (usually followed by Gov 2001)
- HKS API-209. Advanced Quantitative Methods I: Statistics (usually followed by HKS API-210)
Intermediate Applied Econometrics: One intermediate course in applied econometrics is required. A more advanced level course may be taken with faculty approval. Courses that fulfill this requirement include:
- Gov 2001. Advanced Quantitative Research Methodology
- HKS API-210. Advanced Quantitative Methods II: Econometric Models
- MIT 14.387. Topics in Applied Econometrics
- Soc 203a. Methods of Quantitative Sociological Research
Research Design: One course in research design required. This course addresses issues such as causal inference, identification, matching, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity, qualitative versus quantitative approaches, randomization, and field and lab experiments. Courses that fulfill this requirement include:
- Econ 1127. Statistical Methods for Evaluating Causal Effects
- HKS API-208. Program Evaluation: Estimating Program Effectiveness with Empirical Analysis
- Gov 2001. Advanced Quantitative Research Methodology
- Soc 205. Sociological Research Design
Additional Research Methods: One additional research methods course is required from the following list of courses.
Applied Econometrics:
- MIT 14.386. New Econometric Models.
Experimental Methods:
- HBS 4430/Econ 2041. Field Experiments
- STAT 140. Design of Experiments
- HBS 4160/Econ 2040. Experimental Economics.
Qualitative Methods:
- HBS 4070. Design of Field Research Methods.
Survey Methods:
- STAT 160. Design and Analysis of Sample Surveys.
Econometrics Theory:
- Econ 2120. Introduction to Applied Econometrics (Econ 2110 may be required as a prerequisite course)
- Econ 2140. Econometrics Methods
III. Additional Courses (5 courses)
Technology and Operations Management students are required to take five additional doctoral courses.
Innovation-track students are required to complete:
- HBS 4480. Operations Management
- HBS 4540. Management of Technological Innovation; HBS 4825. Innovation and Organizations; OR HBS 4355. Sociological and Organizational Perspectives in Entrepreneurship Research
- Three doctoral elective courses, two of which must be in a single discipline (e.g. economics or sociology)
Operations-track students are required to complete:
- HBS 4480. Operations Management
- HBS 4460/AM 221. Advanced Optimization
- HBS 4465. Stochastic Modeling
- Two additional doctoral elective courses.
IV. Business Education for Scholars and Teachers (3 courses offered in January term)
- January term Year 1: Business Education for Scholars and Teachers - Foundations (BEST/Foundations): This three-week, full day immersion course introduces students to basic functions of management and markets, including accounting, marketing, management, finance, and operations.
- January term Year 2: Business Education for Scholars and Teachers - Integration (BEST/Integration): This three-week course introduces students to strategy, capital markets, and international economics, through case-based classes at HBS and field work.
- January term Year 3: Business Education for Scholars and Teachers - Teach (BEST/Teach): This one-week course introduces students to curriculum development, module development, presentation skills, and teaching methods.
V. MBA Course (recommended 1 course)
It is recommended that all students complete one case-based HBS MBA course.
VI. Research Seminars
Students are required to attend and participate in seminars throughout their program.
- TOM Unit Seminar. TOM students are expected to attend this weekly seminar to gain exposure to cutting-edge research conducted by faculty at other business schools and by TOM faculty, and to observe faculty recruiting seminars (job talks).
- HBS 4840. DBA Seminar for Technology and Operations Management. TOM students are required, starting in their third year, to enroll and actively participate in this weekly seminar each semester it is offered. Students present work in progress and receive feedback from their colleagues and a faculty member. This seminar also develops presentation skills, critical thinking, and enduring relationships among students across all stages of the TOM DBA program. First and second year TOM students are encouraged to enroll.
- HBS 4842. Operations Management Reading Group. Operations-track TOM students are required to enroll and actively participate in this weekly seminar at least once during their first or second year. This seminar exposes students to leading research on operations management. Many students participate in this seminar in several years.
Good Academic Standing
To remain in good academic standing, DBA students are expected to maintain a B+ grade point average.
Teaching
Students are required to complete a teaching engagement of one full academic term that includes at least 8 hours, or 3 class sessions, of front-of-class teaching experience and at least 16 hours of teaching preparation time.
Special Field Exam
At the end of the second year, all students are required to pass the Special Field Exam, administered by their Special Field Exam Committee, to demonstrate mastery of the literature related to the student's primary field of study (Operations Management or Innovation Management) and a concentration area. The exam has two parts: a written exam (administered over two 8-hour days) and an oral exam (duration and number of questions are determined by the faculty committee).
Dissertation Proposal
By the end of their third year, all students are required to obtain approval of their dissertation proposal by their Dissertation Proposal Committee.
Dissertation
Students are required to write a dissertation, which typically takes the form of three publishable papers, to the satisfaction of their Dissertation Committee. The dissertation defense is oral and open to the public.