Master’s in Optimisation under Uncertainty
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in optimisation under uncertainty: robust and stochastic optimisation, scenarios and trade-offs. 12 modules covering stochastic programming, robust optimisation, chance constraints and risk, reliability-based design, Bayesian optimisation and sequential decision-making, with ISO 31000, ISO 2394 and the GUM, and 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 uncertainty present in engineering decision problems.
Formulate linear, integer and nonlinear optimisation models.
Apply two-stage and multi-stage stochastic programming.
Design solutions that are robust against uncertainty sets.
Incorporate risk measures and chance constraints.
Optimise expensive-to-evaluate systems using Bayesian methods.
Solve real cases in energy, logistics and design under uncertainty.
Who it's for
- Optimisation engineers who need their models to hold up when data and demand are uncertain.
- Operations researchers moving from deterministic models to stochastic and robust formulations.
- Quantitative risk analysts looking to embed risk measures directly into decisions.
- Energy planners working on dispatch, storage and grid expansion with renewables.
- Supply chain engineers designing resilient networks and inventory policies.
- Decision scientists who combine forecasting, simulation and optimisation.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 31000 (risk management — guidelines)
- ISO 2394 (general principles on reliability for structures)
- ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 (GUM — guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement)
- JCGM 101 (propagation of distributions using the Monte Carlo method)
- EN 1990 (Eurocode 0 — basis of structural design)
- ISO 22301 (business continuity management)
- Pyomo
- Gurobi
- CPLEX
- BoTorch
- MATLAB Optimization Toolbox
12 modules
1.1Aleatory and epistemic uncertainty1.2Variability in loads, materials and demand1.3Probability and basic inference1.4Common distributions in engineering1.5Scenarios and decision trees1.6Expected value and risk aversion1.7Value of information1.8Examples in energy, logistics and design1.9Errors of deterministic decision-making1.10Case study: impact of uncertainty on a design
2.1Linear programming and duality2.2Mixed-integer programming2.3Nonlinear optimisation and KKT conditions2.4Convexity and why it matters2.5Gradient methods2.6Commercial and open-source solvers2.7Algebraic modelling with Pyomo2.8Sensitivity and parametric analysis2.9Scaling and efficient formulation2.10Lab: planning model in Pyomo
3.1Two-stage models with recourse3.2Value of the stochastic solution3.3Multi-stage programming3.4Scenario trees3.5Benders decomposition3.6L-shaped method and progressive hedging3.7Sample average approximation3.8Scenario reduction3.9Implementation in mpi-sppy3.10Practical exercise: capacity expansion under uncertain demand
4.1Uncertainty sets4.2Soyster and Bertsimas-Sim robustness4.3Tractable robust counterpart4.4Adjustable robust optimisation4.5Affine decision rules4.6Price of robustness4.7Distributional robustness4.8Data-driven uncertainty sets4.9Comparison with stochastic approaches4.10Lab: robust logistics network
5.1Individual and joint chance constraints5.2Convex approximations5.3Value at Risk and CVaR5.4Optimisation with risk measures5.5Stochastic dominance5.6Reliability constraints5.7Scenarios and sampling5.8Calibrating the risk level5.9Interpretation for management5.10Practical exercise: energy dispatch with CVaR
6.1Taguchi design6.2Reliability-based design optimisation (RBDO)6.3FORM and SORM methods6.4Monte Carlo uncertainty propagation6.5Polynomial chaos6.6Surrogate models in optimisation6.7Multi-objective optimisation under uncertainty6.8Manufacturing tolerances and variability6.9Validating the robust design6.10Case study: robust design of a structural component
7.1Problems with expensive simulation7.2Gaussian processes7.3Acquisition functions7.4Constrained Bayesian optimisation7.5Evolutionary algorithms and NSGA-II7.6Optimisation with noise7.7Parallelising evaluations7.8BoTorch and Optuna tools7.9Stopping criteria7.10Lab: tuning a process with Bayesian optimisation
8.1Markov decision processes8.2Stochastic dynamic programming8.3SDDP for hydrothermal planning8.4Stochastic model predictive control8.5Reinforcement learning as optimisation8.6Approximate policies8.7Inventory problems8.8Maintenance under uncertainty8.9Policy evaluation through simulation8.10Practical exercise: multi-period inventory policy
9.1Unit commitment with renewables9.2Bidding in electricity markets9.3Grid expansion planning9.4Storage management9.5Microgrids and self-consumption9.6Demand-side management9.7Probabilistic forecast data9.8Implementation with industrial solvers9.9Interpreting results9.10Case study: operating a hybrid plant with batteries
10.1Robust supply chain design10.2Production planning10.3Vehicle routing with uncertain travel times10.4Capacity management10.5Project planning under risk10.6Multi-echelon inventory management10.7Disruptions and resilience10.8Integration with ERP and APS10.9Communicating results10.10Workshop: resilient distribution network
11.1Probabilistic forecasting11.2Predict-then-optimise11.3Contextual optimisation11.4Learning uncertainty sets11.5End-to-end optimisation11.6Out-of-sample validation11.7Optimiser's bias11.8Integrated software tools11.9Governance of decision models11.10Practical exercise: decision driven by demand forecasting
12.1Defining the decision problem12.2Characterising the uncertainty12.3Formulating the model12.4Choosing a stochastic or robust approach12.5Implementation and solution12.6Validation through simulation12.7Sensitivity and risk analysis12.8Decision recommendations12.9Written thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, 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 Pyomo, Gurobi, CPLEX, BoTorch and MATLAB Optimization Toolbox, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: Monte Carlo simulation of optimal solutions, out-of-sample evaluation with historical data and scenario sensitivity analysis. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 31000, ISO 2394, ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 (GUM), JCGM 101 (Monte Carlo), EN 1990 (Eurocode 0), 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 Pyomo, Gurobi, CPLEX, BoTorch and MATLAB Optimization Toolbox, 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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