Development of Management Scientists.

RAND and Cal Tech have developed a successful postgraduate curriculum for training management scientists. The first ten-week academic quarter was divided between theory (economics, decision theory, management information systems) and analytic methodology (resource analysis, program budgeting, statistical methods, computer simulation of micro and macro systems), interspersed with RAND studies exemplifying the ideas taught. These studies made the students more demanding of relevant and useful techniques than first-year graduate students usually are. About half the class completed the second quarter, devoted to group research projects--some left because they wanted to work individually. Starting with problems of their choice about which they had only laymen's knowledge, aided by rapid feedback from instructors, the groups quickly defined their problem areas. They became highly involved and knowledgeable regarding their topics, developing remarkable understanding of data sources, real-world constraints, and how policy is actually made.