LNMB Curriculum
LNMB offers a coordinated programme of MSc-level and PhD-level courses in Operations Research. Download a printable overview of this year's curriculum:
All courses take place at the Utrecht Science Park, Room HFG 611, Hans-Freudenthal building, Budapestlaan 6, 3584 CD Utrecht.
Utrecht Science Park is centrally located in the Netherlands and is easily accessible by public transport, bicycle, and car. Parking is a challenge. From Utrecht Central Station, the tram (20, 21, 22) and bus (27, 28) take you to Utrecht Science Park in fifteen minutes. In addition, a large number of bus lines from surrounding municipalities go to Utrecht Science Park. Plan your trip via NS or 9292.
- Mathematics Library (Hans Freudenthal Building)
- Koningsbergergebouw (study areas and catering)
Find the timetables, registration forms for PhD courses, and other practical information such as possibilities for online attendance (only available to students abroad) in the detailed information pages below.
MSc curriculum
- 8 courses in two semesters
- Part of Mastermath
- Basic courses are offered annually
- Advanced courses are offered biennially
- Courses carry 6 EC each
Course overview: AY starting in September of even years
MSc curriculum
- Discrete Optimisation (DO)
- Continuous Optimisation (CO)
- Queueing Theory (QT)
- [Rotating course]
- Scheduling Theory and Algorithms (SCH)
- Advanced Discrete Optimisation (ADO)
PhD curriculum
- Markovian Queues and Stochastic Networks (MQSN)
- Convex Analysis for Optimisation (CAO)
- Markov Decision Processes (MDP)
- Networks and Semidefinite Programming (NSP)
- Algorithmic Methods in Queueing Theory (AlQT)
- Cooperative Games with Applications to OR (CGOR)
- Optimisation and Machine Learning (OML)
- Algorithmic Mechanism Design (AMD)
- Randomised Algorithms (RA)
Course overview: AY starting in September of odd years
MSc curriculum
- Discrete Optimisation (DO)
- Continuous Optimisation (CO)
- Queueing Theory (QT)
- [Rotating course]
- Optimisation under uncertainty
- Reinforcement learning and dynamic programming
The LNMB PhD programme is designed not only to support specialised research, but to develop a well-rounded understanding of Operations Research as a field. While it is natural to prioritise courses close to one’s topic, we strongly encourage PhD students to also engage with complementary areas (e.g., stochastic models, optimisation, and algorithms).
A broader training improves the ability to recognise structural connections between problems, to transfer methods across domains, and to position research within the wider OR landscape — all of which are essential for long-term scientific impact.
PhD Programme – Practical Information
👉 If you have never taken a course before or ignored this step, start by first completing the general Please note that skipping this step means that you will miss out on important information (e.g., regarding conferences, news, or diploma requirements). Once this step is completed, you can register for any of the courses in the programme through the links below. For participants not in a PhD programme, e.g. Master's students or company affiliates, please fill the same form and follow the instructions there.
👉 Streaming may be arranged (but not guaranteed) for participants outside the Netherlands. Contact LNMB if you are interested in having a course streamed to examine the possibilities.
👉 Full organisational details (credits, fees, diploma requirements) are available on the