Operations & Information Management
The growth of integrated management systems linked to operations planning has led to a significant demand for professionals with a knowledge and understanding of information systems and related quantitative and statistical problem solving skills. The Operations and Information Management major prepares students to meet these challenges by providing a thorough foundation in the essential concepts of operations management, management science, statistics, and information systems. The primary mission in this major is on the analysis of business decisions and processes, supply chains, and effective use of quantitative methods and information technology to improve business operations.
Student Learning Goals for Completion of the OPIM Major
1. A deep understanding of process analysis. This includes learning about notions of process flow, bottlenecks, capacities, buffers, congestion and queues, as well as the effects of variability and quality management systems on the performance of the process.
2. An appreciation of the issues involved in the management of global supply chains. The broad objective is to understand how agility, adaptability, and alignment can be created in supply chains, and when and how much of each is needed.
3. An introduction to the design and management of the firm’s global production and supply networks, including off-shoring and outsourcing.
4. Development of the ability to undertake a statistical investigation from data collection through data analysis to making informed decisions and recommendations.
5. Development of strong quantitative and computing skills for the analysis of managerial issues.
6. A deep appreciation of how advances in technology and information systems are transforming organizations.
Learning Outcomes
Students in this major will substantially improve their abilities to:
1. Analyze business processes and suggest how they can be improved.
2. Identify critical factors in the design and management of global supply chains.
3. Carry out statistical investigations of business issues without introducing a systemic bias or other errors.
4. Apply appropriate theoretical and methodological approaches to business decision-making.
5. Be an effective member of teams for the implementation of new information systems, the analysis of global supply chains, and the design and implementation of quality and productivity improvement projects.
For more information about the major, please feel free to view this slideshow.
Requirements*:
|
Track 1: Curriculum: A total of 15 credits, including two required courses and three electives. Required Courses:
Electives - Two electives must be from section A, while the third can be from section A or B
Section A: OPIM Courses:
Section B: Cross-Disciplinary Courses:
|
TRACK II: Curriculum: A total of 18 credits, including four required courses and two electives.* Required Courses:
Electives:
* At most, two of these courses can be counted as Liberal Arts Electives. |
For an overview of the required courses in this concentration, consult the undergraduate course catalog here.
Faculty Advisor
For questions about the OPIM major, students may contact the OPIM faculty advisor, Professor Betsy Sigman.
Professor Sigman also has her own blog. Click here to read more . . .
*This set of requirements for the IB major apply to the classes of 2015 and later. Students in earlier classes may choose to follow this set of requirements or the set already established for their respective class. Students in earlier classes are advised to meet with their advisor to determine the best course of action.
