Operations Management D, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The aim of this course is to help the students understand how to manage operations. Operations are the organization’s core production activities that have to be planned and controlled in order to meet competitive goals. Therefore, the first part of the course is dedicated to how production is linked to the business idea and strategy for creating a competitive advantage. An applied approach follows on how companies design, plan and control product or services, supply chains and production capacity, using tools such as queuing, enterprise and materials planning, total quality management, etc. In the second part, students are required to develop their knowledge and skills by: a) an individual essay where students discuss extant knowledge on an operations topic within contemporary research, and b) a practical group assignment where students design and plan the operations in a small company.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

•  describe and discuss what impact different competitive strategies have on the management of operations
•  apply and evaluate different models used for designing, planning and controlling operations
•  design and plan the operations in a smaller company
•  apply theories and concepts on practical problems and discuss practical solutions based on a theoretical foundation
•  search, evaluate and present scientific articles

Required Knowledge

Courses in Business Administration (75 ECTS) At Basic level (A-level) and Intermediate level (B-level) a minimum of 60 ECTS in Management, Marketing, Accounting and Finance courses. At the C-level (Bachelor), a minimum 15 ECTS.

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section).
 

Form of instruction

The teaching methods consist of lectures, calculation exercises, and literature/case seminars. The first part of the course will be focused on of lectures and calculation exercises, whereas the second part of the course consists of more individual and group assignments.

The course is given an examined in English.

Examination modes

The following grading system will be used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
Fail (Underkänd, U, less than 50%).

Examination consists of:

• individual written exam encompassing 50%
• individual written report and oral presentation of a topic chosen, encompassing 25%.
• a written case report and presentation of the group work, encompassing 25%.

In order to pass the course, the student must complete all parts of the examination i.e. reach 50% of the points of each part. To receive the grade pass with distinction, the student must reach at least 75% of the total points on the course.

In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given on each occasion.

Students who do not pass at the time of the normal written examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a further examination within a month. Beyond that, additional examination opportunities normally arise every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term.

When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity.

Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments.

Lectures are normally not obligatory. However attendance is expected because the lectures are designed to facilitate students towards achieving course specific learning objectives. In addition lectures often provide insightful explanations of, and can supplement and provide contrast to, the course litterateur and other relevant course materials.

Student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination to get a higher grading.

Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements.

Academic credit transfer
Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.

Other regulations

This is a course at the D-level in a MSc-degree at Umeå University. The course can also be included in study programs in Business Administration at Umeå School of Business.