MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (MS) COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
1013 Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: MAT 1033 and IS 1403, or equivalents.
A survey of basic statistical techniques for business and economics. As part of the business core, the course focuses on the applications of primary statistical concepts in a business-oriented environment. Various statistical and mathematical techniques will be presented to assist in solving problems encountered by corporate managers. Topics include, but are not limited to, descriptive statistics, discrete and continuous probability functions, sampling, experimental design, interval estimation, hypothesis testing, test of independence, simple and multiple regression analysis, and ANOVA. (Formerly GBA 1013 and STA 1063. Credit cannot be earned for both MS 1013 and GBA 1013 or STA 1063. Credit cannot be earned for both MS 1013 and MS 1023.)
1023 Business Statistics with Computer Applications I
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: MAT 1033 and IS 1403, or equivalents.
This is the first course in a sequence of three courses designed to introduce basic statistical and quantitative techniques for business and economics. This course examines analytical skills and statistical concepts important in business-oriented environments. Various statistical techniques will be presented to assist in solving problems encountered by corporate managers. Topics include, but are not limited to, descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and dispersion, elementary probability theory, expected value, random variables, discrete and continuous distributions, decision making under uncertainty, sampling distributions, point and interval estimation, and hypothesis testing. Electronic spreadsheets will be utilized for analyzing and interpreting data. (Credit cannot be earned for both MS 1023 and MS 1013.)
3033 Management Science and Production Management
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: MAT 1033 and MS 1013, or equivalents.
An introductory course in management science and production/operations management. This course emphasizes model building as a foundation for rational decision making and problem solving. Topics include, but are not limited to, linear and integer programming, forecasting, decision theory, inventory models, network models, project management, and simulation. Computer software is used to apply these techniques in the analysis of a wide variety of decision problems. (Credit cannot be earned for both MS 3033 and MS 3053.)
3043 Business Statistics with Computer Applications II
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: MS 1023 or an equivalent.
This course builds on the foundations learned in MS 1023. Statistical concepts include, but are not limited to, hypothesis testing concepts, goodness-of-fit tests, tests of independence, non-parametric tests, analysis of variance, correlation, linear and multiple regression, and time series. Electronic spreadsheets and statistical software will be utilized in analyzing and interpreting data. At least one session (may include Saturday) in a designated electronic classroom for hands-on assessment is a required component of this course.
3053 Management Science and Operations Technology
(3-0) 3 credit hours. Prerequisite: MS 3043 or an equivalent.
An introductory course in management science that emphasizes model building as a foundation for rational decision making and problem solving across disciplines and functional areas. Topics include, but are not limited to, mathematical programming, network models, project management, multi-criteria decision making, inventory management, service operations and queuing models, Markov analysis, and simulation. Computer software is used to apply these techniques in the analysis of a wide variety of decision problems. (Credit cannot be earned for both MS 3053 and MS 3033.)
3063 Decision Support Systems
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Course emphasizes emerging technologies for supporting the solution of managerial problems. Topics include, but are not limited to, management support systems, group support systems, expert systems, spreadsheet and dynamic simulation modeling. Applications to business functions such as finance, marketing, logistics and operations are included. Emphasis is given to the concept of decision support systems and to hands-on experience using techniques and computer-based technologies to build systems that can support business decision processes.
3313 Business Applications of Statistics
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Emphasizes application of statistics in problem-solving situations involving management, marketing, human resources, finance, and operations management. Useful techniques include analysis of variance, simple and multiple regression, logistic regression, multiple discriminant analysis, factor analysis, cluster analysis, multidimensional scaling, and conjoint analysis. Students use computer software such as SPSS or SAS in their analyses.
3403 Logistics Management
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Analyzes managerial decisions related to the movement and storage of supplies, work-in-process, and finished goods. Examines the trade-offs encountered by managers: costs and service levels, level and modes of transportation used, warehousing and control of inventory levels, demand management and forecasting master production scheduling, just-in-time (JIT), materials requirements planning (MRP), MRP II, DRP, materials handling within warehouses, distribution of finished goods to customers, industrial packaging, and importance of logistics to the overall productivity of a firm are investigated. When available, an integrated software approach such as supply chain management (SCM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) by SAP, Oracle or I2 will be adopted.
3413 Purchasing and Inventory Management
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Explores the industrial purchasing cycle for materials acquisition and management. Determination of requirements, supplier qualifications, appraisals, source selection, buying practices, value analysis, policies, ethics, and international purchasing. Inventory control concepts, techniques, and strategies for effective integration with basic finance, marketing, and manufacturing objectives. Models for dependent and independent demand inventory systems. Material requirements planning systems, distribution requirements, planning techniques, and classical reorder point inventory model.
4313 Six Sigma and Lean Operations
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
This course focuses on Six Sigma as a quality improvement methodology structured to reduce failure rates to a negligible level and on lean operations methodology structured to reduce waste. Materials include an overview of lean management philosophy and fundamentals of DMAIC problem-solving methodology. Topics include project criteria and prioritization methods, process capability measures, scorecard development, Six Sigma tools, DOE, and sampling and analyzing process data.
4323 Simulation Applications in Business
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of the techniques for modeling and analysis of business processes using computer simulation and animation. Selected example applications from supply chain management, financial, marketing, and operations functions. Emphasis on the use of computer simulation in support of the management decision process.
4333 Project Management
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Practical examination of how projects are managed from start to finish. Emphasis on planning and control to avoid common pitfalls and managing risk. Planning includes defining objectives, identifying activities, establishing precedence relationships, making time estimates, determining project completion times, and determining resource requirements. CPM/PERT networks are established, and computer software (Microsoft Project, WINQSB, and Excel) is used to monitor and control the project.
4343 Production/Operations Management
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
A study of the production and operations management function in business. Review of the methods required for design, operation, and improvements of the systems that create products or services. Traditional topics in manufacturing and service operations are investigated including an introduction to supply chain management concepts.
4353 Service Operations Management
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
This course is designed to provide an in-depth examination of operations management practices in service-oriented environments. Subjects embrace materials from operations management, logistics, marketing, economics, and management in a broad spectrum of service businesses. The course looks at strategic concepts in modern service management and presents analytical tools for business decision making. Topics include, but are not limited to, service quality, process design, waiting line models, inventory management in services, demand forecasting, workshift scheduling, overbooking, service supply chain management, and internet services.
4363 Quality Management and Control
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Investigates the fundamental nature of quality and its implications for business. Topics include statistical methods for quality improvement in manufacturing and service operations. Emphasis given to both the technical and managerial issues in understanding and implementing quality as a component for success in today’s global business environment.
4383 Applied Forecasting in Operations
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Introduces modern and practical methods for operations planning and decision making. Short-term forecasting of demand, personnel requirements, costs and revenues, raw material needs, and desired inventory levels. Technological and environmental forecasting. Monitoring: automatic procedures such as tracking signals and judgmental procedures such as decomposition methods.
4543 Supply Chain Management
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Principles, techniques and practices of corporate supply chain management. The focus is on the strategic coordination and information management that integrates supplier selection, purchasing, transportation, inventory and warehousing, channel planning and configuration, production and distribution from procurement of raw material to customer satisfaction. Business decision models and techniques for facility location, production, inventory, transportation and other operational issues are presented. Currently available software will be surveyed and cases of successful implementations will be analyzed.
4911-3 Independent Study in Management Science
1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisites for business majors: Permission in writing from the instructor, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the College of Business. See the College of Business Undergraduate Advising Center for required forms and additional requirements.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree.
4933 Internship in Management Science
3 hours credit. Prerequisites for business majors: Permission in writing from the instructor, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the College of Business; and 2.5 grade point average. See the College of Business Undergraduate Advising Center for required forms and additional requirements.
Supervised full- or part-time work experience in management science. Offers opportunities for applying management science in private businesses or public agencies. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours will apply to a bachelor’s degree.
4951-3 Special Studies in Management Science
(1-0, 2-0, 3-0) 1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special studies may be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
4993 Honors Thesis
3 hours credit. Enrollment limited to students applying for Honors in Management Science and Statistics (see
page 101).
Supervised research and preparation of an honors thesis. May be repeated once for credit with advisor’s approval.