The Operations Research and Financial Engineering (ORFE) department's intellectual mission is to develop theory and tools in statistics, probability, and optimization to extract meaningful information from data, and to utilize information to make optimal decisions. The ORFE department is primarily geared towards educating students pursuing a Ph.D. in the field. As such, the Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) program in ORFE also has a strong research focus, as reflected in the requirement of a thesis and full-time study for two academic years. Students enrolled in this program are eligible for financial support in the form of research or teaching assistantships if such funds are available. The admission rate for the M.S.E. degree is very low. Admission is based on the applicant's qualifications and requires the support of at least one faculty member who expresses an interest in supervising the applicant. Applicants interested in an M.S.E. degree from ORFE are urged to identify and contact a faculty member who researches in an area the applicant would like to work. Applicants primarily interested in a master's degree in finance should apply for the Master in Finance Program at the Bendheim Center for Finance. The School of Engineering website provides more information regarding the Master of Science in Engineering program.