A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree requires the completion and defense of a dissertation and a Doctor of Engineering (D.E.) requires writing and defending a praxis. A dissertation should advance the state of the art in the major area and a praxis is concerned with advancing the state of practice.

Below are abstracts of completed dissertations and praxes by EMIS doctoral graduates, to help illustrate the differences between these two types of documents.The full manuscripts are available from the SMU Central Library collection.

Dissertation Abstracts (Ph.D., Major: Operations Research)

1. Vanpool Assignment Problem: Analysis and Optimization
   Levent Kaan, 2011
    
2. Time-Space Fixed-Charge Network Flow Problems
   Charles Nicholson, 2010
    
3. Heuristic Algorithms for Solving the Interval Flow Transshipment Network
   Robert H. Jones, 2009
    
4. Optimization-Based Design Tools For W-CDMA Cellular Networks
   Qibin Cai, 2006
    
5. Constrained Integer Network Flows
   Thomas W. McLoud Jr., 2003
    
6. Disjunctive Programming Methods for Interval-Flow Networks
   Aruna Apte, 1997
    
7. Large-Scale Data Envelopment Analysis Models and Related Applications
   Matthew L. Durchholz, 1993
    
8. Parallel Algorithms for Pure Network Problems and Related Applications
   Betty Love Hickman, 1991

Dissertation Abstracts (Ph.D., Major: Systems Engineering)

Praxis Abstracts (D.E., Major: Engineering Management)

1. Formulation and Benefit Analysis of Optimization Models for Network Recovery Design
   M. Scott Kingsley, 2011
    
2. Strategic Outsourcing for Manufacturing Firms
   Richard D. James, 2011
    
3. Integrated Process Design, Planning, and Stochastic-System Optimization
   Osama Elsafadi, 2009
    
4. Development and Application of a Multi-Period Project Selection and Engineering Staffing Model Including Options for Alternative Assignments and Personnel Reductions
   T. Austin Freeman, 2008
    
5. Improving Transportation Service For The University Of The Thai Chamber Of Commerce
   Nanthi Suthikarnnarunai, 2007
    
6. Formulation and Evaluation of Optimization Models for MPLS Traffic Engineering with QoS Requirements
   Saib K. Jarrar, 2004

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