Course Descriptions: Operations
- K 510 – Advanced Decision Models (1.5 cr.) P:
MBA Module 1A
- This course is concerned with optimization modeling. Topics covered are optimal product mix, project scheduling, aggregate planning, financial models, capital budgeting, optimal portfolio mix and multiple objectives optimization. This is an ADC course administered entirely through Oncourse, but it is not self-paced.
- K 516 – Quantitative Decision Models(1.5 cr. ) P: MBA Module 1A
- This course is concerned with probability and statistical modeling. Topics covered are the application of regression-based forecasting models, simulation models and probabilistic causal models. This is an ADC course administered entirely through Oncourse, but it is not self-paced.
- P501 – Operations Management (3 cr.)
- Surveys the management of operations in manufacturing and service firms. Diverse activities, such as determining the size and type of production process, purchasing the appropriate raw materials, planning and scheduling the flow of materials and the nature and content of inventories, assuring product quality, and deciding on the production hardware and how it gets used, comprise this function of the company. Managing operations well requires both strategic and tactical skills. The topics considered include process analysis, workforce issues, materials management, quality and productivity, technology, and strategic planning, together with relevant analytical techniques. The course makes considerable use of business cases. Most classes will be spent discussing the cases assigned. For each case, students will be asked to review actual company situations and apply technical and managerial skills to recommending courses of action. Most cases will be taken from manufacturing, but some will be service-oriented. Several of the cases will focus on international companies or issues. For MBA students enrolled in Module 2A.
- P 509 – Supply Chain Operations (1.5 cr.) P: P501
- This course is divided into two main parts. Three-quarters of this class is designed to help students begin to understand how to develop and manage efficient and effective physical distribution and logistics system. Students taking this course will learn the fundamentals of successfully exploiting supply chains by carefully coordinating distribution tasks, controlling resources (especially inventory), and leveraging technology (principally information systems). The overall goal of this part of the course is to introduce and familiarize you with the basic concepts and skills necessary for supply chain management as a manager, analyst, or consultant.
- The remaining quarter of this course focuses on Sourcing (also called purchasing) and how to conduct successful negotiations. Instructional tools include lectures, readings, and a group negotiation project. The course content covers both quantitative and qualitative materials. During the term we will also consider physical distribution and sourcing issues in parts of the world with underdeveloped infrastructure.
- P 510 – Service Operations (1.5 cr.) P: P501
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In contrast to most aspects of the other operations management courses, this one is devoted to the particular problems of designing and delivering services, as opposed to manufactured goods. Although some ideas from the management of manufacturing enterprise will spill over readily into this course, other aspects of service operations management will have no natural counterpart. The course will lean heavily on cases and most class sessions will be devoted to discussions of cases assigned for each week. These cases will be the rallying point for our learning in the course; they are drawn from many different service environments and touch on numerous operations problems.
- P527 - Process Improvement I (1.5 cr.) Spring 1st eight weeks
- Process Improvement I covers a variety of tools and organizational procedures for understanding, analyzing and improving work processes and environments. many of these tools and procedures have been popularized lately as "six sigma" quality management techniques, and apply readily to quite diverse business and organizational settings.
- P528 - Process Improvement II (1.5 cr.) P: P527 Spring 2nd eight weeks
- Involves a real-world project selected and carried through by the student. This allows application of the tools and procedures learned earlier. Students who successfully complete both Process Improvement courses receive formal six sigma "Green Belt" certification. Courses open to all graduate students.
- P 552 – Project Management (1.5 cr.) P: P501
- This course begins with an introduction to project management and some of the skills and concepts surrounding good practice. Project management tools such as the critical path and Gantt charts will be reviewed as well as methods for controlling the four most important elements of any project: scope, time, cost, and resources. Various approaches to organizing projects will be introduced. The course will then move to an examination of new product development in a series of industries.
- P 561 – Global Supply Chain Management (1.5 cr.) P:P501, P509 is recommended
- The overall goal of this course is to introduce and familiarize you with the concepts and skills necessary for supply chain management as a consultant, analyst, or manager. In this course, we will identify the major issues in supply chain management to better understand their performance. We will study the basic tools for supply chain management in production planning and inventory control, order fulfillment, and multi-stage/multi-location coordination. We will also consider the growing role of information systems in supply chains and devising supply chain strategy. During the course we will also consider issues related to the implementation of supply chain improvements.
- We will use a variety of instructional tools including lectures and case discussions. The course content covers both quantitative and qualitative materials. The cases will feature a range of companies and leading edge as well as traditional distribution and logistics issues.
- P 590 – Independent Study in Operations Management (cr. arr.)
- For advanced M.B.A. students engaged in special study projects. Course admission and project supervision is arranged through the M.B.A. Office and the student's faculty advisor.
X 573 - Chinese Supply Chain: Cases (1.5 cr.) 1st Summer Session-Mondays, P:P501
This course is designed to expose students to the challenges and opportunities of managing supply chains in the dynamic environment of China. Students will be required to analyze and discuss a number of cases of companies operating in China. Through these case discussions and the summaries by the instructor, students will learn how to make strategic and operational decisions in supply chain management. They will also learn how Chinese culture, traditions, political, legal systems and logistics infrastructure influence supply chain decisions.
