Department Of Management Science

MSCI 231 Introduction to Operations Management

Module Outline 2024-25

Pre-requisites and limitations

The module is available to students who have taken MSCI 100 / 101  or equivalent. It cannot be taken by students who have taken MSCI 102.

Term Taught

Michaelmas, weeks 1 - 10

Contact Time

Approx. 30 hours (20 lectures and 10 seminars)

Credits

15

Why take this module?

Operations Management is a core managerial discipline for all kinds of operations - from private sector manufacturing through to public  sector services.  It is applicable to any of the  organized processes that underpin the modern world: transportation, the generation of energy, retailing, the production of goods, the provision of medical and educational services and so on. Many areas of management have strong connections with operations management, so an understanding of its main principles is relevant to all students on business and management programmes.

The nature of the subject

A large part of operations management is analytical: structuring,  measuring and  reaching logical conclusions about operations problems - such as congestion, shortage, error and failure. Part of it is constructive: being able to design processes and put together plans that systematize, coordinate and improve work. The module reflects this combination, and includes both qualitative and quantitative methods.  It is, however, grounded in practical issues and the experiences of organizations that provide case studies for the module.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to engage competently in the kind of problem- solving characteristic of operations management, including demonstrating an understanding of:

•   entities like supply networks;

•    use of mathematical models such as those needed to optimize inventory;

•    basic principles of lean production;

•   systematic techniques of control such as those needed for quality and project management;

•   sustainability in an Operations Management context; and

•    use of forecasting models in business.

Teaching methods

The module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. There will be two lecture hours each week throughout the term, and one seminar hour each week starting in the second week of term. The seminars will be based on set problems that arise from the lecture material of the previous week.

Attendance is required at all lectures and seminars and will be recorded by the University.

Outline topics

The following is a list of indicative topics that will be taught:

1.   Operations as systems

2.   Supply chain management

3.   Inventory optimisation

4.   Capacity analysis

5.   Forecasting demand

6.   ERP and lean principles

7.   Project planning & control

8.   Quality management

9.   Sustainable Operations

Assessment

Students will be assessed through a 50% group coursework assessment (CWA) which will be set in week 10 (mid-December). The deadline for submission of the CWA will be announced later in the term, both in lectures during the module and also on Moodle.

The remaining 50% will be assessed through an open book multiple choice (MCQ) examination during the summer exam period  next year  (2025). This will  be an online timed exam. Guidance will be provided in week 10 on both coursework and examination.

Workload

The total workload for the module depends on the capacities of individual students, but in addition to the time needed for attendance at lectures and seminars, students are expected to engage with:

•   weekly discussion forums

•   short set readings which will be posted on Moodle

•    preparation and solution of case problems set for the seminars

•   coursework assignments

• revision for the examination

Reading and lecture notes

Materials will  be  posted to  Moodle  at  least  24  hours  in  advance  of  the  lectures. These  are  not intended to be self-explanatory and attendance at the lectures is strongly advised. Model solutions or solution guides to each case dealt with in the seminars and problem classes will be posted on Moodle after the seminar class in the following week.

The core text is Operations Management by Slack et al, published by Pearson. The current edition is the 10th, but earlier editions will also be mostly applicable. An e-version is available from the library: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/lancaster/detail.action?docID=6977559&pq-origsite=primo.  Regular access to the core text will be needed for the set reading, the set cases, and for the further development of understanding of topics.

Further Information

The Management Science Department undergraduate coordinator is based in D25, Charles Carter.

All announcements relevant to the module, as well as module materials, will be posted to Moodle.

There is a departmental Moodle page with useful information for students on all MSCI courses at

https://modules.lancaster.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=40859

Students are strongly advised to take note of warnings about late work, plagiarism and collusion. If unsure, please read the department's teaching code of practice, which can be found on the FAQ board.

Contacting Linda Hendry - the module convenor

As module convenor, I will be happy to answer any general queries about the module.  The best time to catch me is at the end of a lecture.  We will need to clear the room for the next group, but I will wait outside the lecture theatre after each lecture until I am sure none of you have waited to talk to me.

I have also set up a general questions forum on the MSCI231 Moodle site - please check out this forum if you have a question.  I prefer to use this rather than emails as many of you will have the same questions, and so I can post answers in the forum for the benefit of all students.

I work part-time on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays - and will aim to ensure that any questions on the forum are answered at the end of each of my working days.

Of course, if your question is personal, you can email me.   If so, please make sure you introduce yourself as being a student from this module, and I will answer as soon as possible on one of my working days.

We hope that you enjoy the course and welcome feedback informally and via course reps.