Master’s in Optimisation under Uncertainty Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in optimisation under uncertainty: 12 modules covering uncertainty in decision-making, scenario models, two-stage and multi-stage stochastic programming, chance constraints, robust and distributionally robust optimisation, risk measures, design under uncertainty and learning-based decisions, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Characterise the sources of uncertainty in a decision problem.
Generate and reduce representative scenarios.
Formulate two-stage and multi-stage stochastic programming models.
Apply robust and distributionally robust optimisation.
Incorporate risk measures such as CVaR into optimisation.
Combine machine learning and optimisation under uncertainty.
Evaluate solutions out of sample in engineering problems.
Who it's for
- Stochastic optimisation engineers working on planning under uncertain demand, prices or resources.
- Risk analysts who need quantitative tools beyond deterministic models.
- Energy system planners dealing with renewable variability.
- Decision scientists building robust, data-driven decision models.
- Supply chain engineers designing resilient networks.
- Quantitative analysts applying CVaR and robust methods to portfolios.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into the energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 31000 (risk management guidelines)
- IEC 31010 (risk assessment techniques)
- JCGM 100:2008 (GUM) (Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement)
- JCGM 101:2008 (propagation of distributions using a Monte Carlo method)
- ISO 2394 (general principles on reliability for structures)
- ISO 22301 (business continuity management systems)
- Gurobi
- Pyomo
- JuMP with SDDP.jl
- RSOME
- Python with SciPy
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Sources of aleatory and epistemic uncertainty1.2Probabilistic and set-based representation1.3The value of information1.4Risk and risk aversion1.5VaR and CVaR risk measures1.6Here-and-now versus wait-and-see decisions1.7The value of the stochastic solution1.8Robustness versus optimality1.9Typology of approaches under uncertainty1.10Case study: uncertainty in a capacity plan
2.1Distributions and parameter estimation2.2Monte Carlo simulation2.3Latin hypercube sampling2.4Scenario generation2.5Multi-stage scenario trees2.6Scenario reduction2.7Copulas and dependence2.8Scenarios from probabilistic forecasts2.9Scenario quality2.10Lab: demand scenario tree
3.1Formulation with recourse3.2The deterministic extensive form3.3The L-shaped decomposition method3.4Sample average approximation3.5Problems with integer recourse3.6Bounds and convergence3.7Applications in capacity planning3.8Applications in supply chains3.9Interpreting solutions3.10Practical: facility location with uncertain demand
4.1Sequential decisions and non-anticipativity4.2Stochastic dynamic programming4.3SDDP: stochastic dual dynamic programming4.4Linear decision rules4.5Rolling-horizon planning4.6Hydroelectric reservoir management4.7Investment planning4.8Computational complexity of multi-stage models4.9Policies versus plans4.10Lab: hydrothermal scheduling with SDDP
5.1Individual and joint chance constraints5.2Convex reformulations of chance constraints5.3Scenario-based approximations5.4Bernstein and CVaR approximations5.5Confidence and reliability levels5.6Applications in power grids5.7Applications in chemical processes5.8Reliability-based design5.9Out-of-sample validation5.10Workshop: dispatch with chance constraints
6.1Box, ellipsoidal and polyhedral uncertainty sets6.2Tractable robust counterparts6.3The Bertsimas-Sim budget of uncertainty6.4Adjustable robust optimisation6.5Affine decision rules6.6Robustness versus conservatism6.7Robustness in integer programming6.8Data-driven uncertainty sets6.9Robust modelling tools6.10Practical: robust production plan
7.1Ambiguity in the distribution7.2Moment-based sets7.3Wasserstein balls7.4Ambiguity sets with phi-divergences7.5Tractable dual reformulations of the problem7.6Out-of-sample performance guarantees7.7Relationship with regularisation7.8Applications in portfolios7.9Applications in energy7.10Lab: robust portfolio with Wasserstein ambiguity
8.1Coherent risk measures8.2Mean-risk optimisation of technical portfolios8.3CVaR in linear programming8.4Risk in multi-stage problems8.5Stochastic dominance constraints8.6Risk management according to ISO 310008.7Risk in engineering projects8.8Financial risk of investments8.9Communicating risk8.10Case study: project portfolio with CVaR
9.1Taguchi robust design9.2Reliability-based optimisation9.3Uncertainty propagation in models9.4Polynomial chaos expansion9.5Surrogate models with uncertainty9.6Bayesian optimisation with noise9.7Tolerance design9.8Global sensitivity analysis9.9Experimental validation of robust design9.10Workshop: reliability-based design of a structure
10.1Predict-then-optimise10.2Decision-focused optimisation10.3Multi-armed bandits and exploration10.4Robust reinforcement learning10.5Optimisation with contextual data10.6Uncertainty quantification in predictions10.7Conformal prediction for decisions10.8Online optimisation10.9Assessing the value of models10.10Practical: inventory with conformal forecasts
11.1Power system planning with renewables11.2Resilient supply chains11.3Water resource management11.4Maintenance planning with random failures11.5Logistics with uncertain times11.6Infrastructure investments11.7Chemical processes with uncertain parameters11.8Emergency management11.9Insurance and reinsurance of technical risks11.10Case study: microgrid planning with wind uncertainty
12.1Selecting the problem with uncertainty12.2Characterising the uncertainty12.3Deterministic reference formulation12.4Stochastic and robust models12.5Implementation and solution12.6Out-of-sample evaluation12.7Risk and robustness analysis12.8Conclusions on robustness and risk12.9Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Gurobi, Pyomo, JuMP with SDDP.jl, RSOME and Python with SciPy, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied, such as energy planning with renewable scenarios, resilient supply chain design and portfolio optimisation with risk measures. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 31000, IEC 31010, JCGM 100:2008 (GUM), JCGM 101:2008, ISO 2394, ISO 22301.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Gurobi, Pyomo, JuMP with SDDP.jl, RSOME and Python with SciPy, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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