PREREQUISITE

The prerequisite courses are BUS110 (BAC110) and BUS212 (BAC202). Your continued enrollment is subject to the satisfactory completion of these prerequisites; otherwise, you will be administratively deleted from the course. Please see me if you think there might be a problem with prerequisites.

TEXT

Bozarth, Cecil C and Handfield, Robert B, Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management, Prentice-Hall, 2005. (ISBN 0-13-944620-6)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The goal in this course is to educate students in the ways of operations management by providing a body of knowledge that blends topics from accounting, industrial engineering, management, management science, information systems, and statistics.

A. Knowledge

This course provides basic knowledge in the methodologies and information technologies that support decision making in the field of operations, including manufacturing, services, and global processes. The use of PC-based and analytical software for solving managerial problems is emphasized.

B. Skills

1. Quantitative. Quantitative skills include the development of spreadsheets that implement quantitative models such as forecasting, statistical process control, inventory management, aggregate and materials planning, scheduling and sequencing, and project management.

2. Computer. Computer skills include the development of spreadsheet software and the integrative use of spreadsheet and wordprocessing software; and use of the computer as a communications and research tool over the Internet.

3. Communication. Written communication using spreadsheet, browser, and wordprocessing software is required through assignments. An email list is used as part of class participation.

C. Competencies

1. Decision making. Examples and assignments emphasize the use of the computer as a decision making tool in operations management.

2. Problem solving. A variation of the scientific method is used as a problem-solving paradigm that includes requirements, model development, solution, and decision.

COURSE POLICIES

I like an informal class atmosphere, so feel free to make points, request clarifications, and ask (and answer!) questions. Questions are especially important for several reasons: most likely others have the very same questions; they give me a better feel for what you're not understanding (and where I'm doing a lousy job); and they stimulate thinking that enhances the learning process, especially when shared with others.

You can catch me during office hours, before or after class, or any other time you run into me. If it can wait, leave voice mail at my office number or write e-mail.

This is a time-consuming course. The analysis of problems, their solution using the computer, and programming all require time away from class. Please take this into consideration now if you have a heavy class, work, or social schedule this semester. That's the BAD news. The GOOD news is that you will feel you have learned something tangibly useful. And you will be rewarded handsomely in you career (I'm only partly kidding).

Call me Mr., Dr., or Professor Mojena (Mo.hee.na).

The business world has little tolerance for absenteeism, tardiness, inadequate preparation, or requests for special treatment. Let's apply these same operating policies in this course.

Effort, Excellence

GRADING POLICY

Grade for...	Weights
Examinations	35%
Projects	45%
Class contribution	20%

Examinations are in-class tests based on the assigned material. One-page notes, but not the text, are allowed. Two exams are given during the semester, with the highest grade counting. No makeups.

Projects are report-based (Word) and software-based solutions (mostly Excel) to assigned consulting-like problems. These assignments are the key learning vehicle for this class. I do very little "hand-holding" for the projects. I act more like a consultant or mentor than a traditional teacher. I expect you to practice and further develop your self-reliance and self-learning skills. These are important attributes of successful careers.

Tardy projects are penalized at 2 points per day, up to a maximum of 10 points. Late projects must be turned in by the time the graded assignments are returned, else the grade is zero. Contact me before the due date if you have a legitimate reason for tardiness.

Projects are graded on a 0-100 scale, with some exceptions greater than 100. I view the correct completion of required features as an average grade of 80, and grade up or down from that point depending on performance. The grading is not based strictly on right (or wrong) solutions because case reports and software have elements of composition, style, insight, and creativity. I also suggest optional features. And you're always free to add any creative extensions and embellishments. Really fine work can crack the 100 barrier.

Much of what you will learn is self-taught, with a little help from the book, the software, and me. Part of this learning process includes posing the right questions and participating in the answers. Many of you have creative insights, discoveries, and knowledge that I would like you to share with me and the class. This is the kind of course where we learn from each other. Many a student has taught me more than a thing or two. Also, many classes include discussions of current events in operations. Other classes are dedicated to the solutions of assigned homework exercises from either the book or lecture files. I will call on you by name to discuss or present these solutions. Homework assignments are not accepted late. Your class contribution grade is based on these kinds of class interactions throughout the semester.

At the end of the course I calculate a weighted average for your numerical grade and convert it to a letter grade based on the following scheme.

93 A • 90 A- • 87 B+ • 83 B • 80 B- • 77 C+ • 73 C • 70 C- • 66 D+ • 60 D • else F.

To see a summary of past grades for this course open the following file within my MSI309 ftp folder: Grades309Aggregate.doc.

ON CLASS SESSIONS, E-MAIL, AND FILES

Many classes will use PC-based presentations and demonstrations of files that you will access from either the book's CD or my ftp site. I will not be giving handouts. All lecture material will be electronic. Demonstrations will implement software such as Excel. Lecture notes and assignments are either hypertext (.htm), PowerPoint (ppt), or Word (.doc) files. You might want to create a subdirectory on your hard drive or any offline storage medium with a name (e.g., MSI309) for this course.

Print hard copy of the appropriate lecture file before each class.

(Don’t forget to print this syllabus.)

Print PowerPoint files as handouts, 4 or 6 per page.

This saves you from tediously taking traditional class notes… and saves class time.

Alternatively, during class, you could open the lecture file on your portable and type in your own notes. (In Word, click Tools Track Changes Highlight Changes... Track changes while editing.)

Bring the following to each class:

Appropriate lecture file, if any, either as hardcopy or in computer that you bring to class

Computer or calculator

Textbook (when working exercises in class)

The Schedule on the last page shows topics, readings, and assignments, as well as file hyperlinks and when to expect specific files. Please check your e-mail before each class, not only for announcements when files are ready, but also for any changes or explanations for the upcoming class.

Please alert me to any errors or omissions that you find in the lecture, software, and assignment files. This is also class contribution!

GETTING CLASS FILES

From my URI Web site using a browser.

Bookmark www.cba.uri.edu/Faculty/Mojena/

Click Courses & button under Schedule or Files

Click desired file

File Save As this file on your disk.

From the College of Business FTP site using a browser.

ftp://ftp.cba.uri.edu/Classes/Mojena/MSI309

From the College of Business FTP site (ftp.cba.uri.edu) using an FTP program.

CLASS MAILING LIST

The class mailing list is similar to an electronic bulletin board. Any message sent to the list is broadcasted to all members of the list. Any e-mail that I send to you is addressed to the class list msi309@pete.uri.edu within the To field of the e-mail software. Any reply to these messages is sent to the entire list! If your intent is to just send me or someone else a message, make sure that you specifically address it accordingly (for example, mojena@uri.edu).

You must subscribe to the class list before the next class.

Do this by sending the following e-mail to the list server, a software package that manages lists. Address the email to:

listserv@pete.uri.edu (Note: no “e” at the end of listserv)

In the body of the email type:

sub msi309 YourFirstName YourLastName (Note: spaces surrounding msi309, no space within msi309, space between first and last name)

Note that this e-mail is to the list server. Leave the subject field empty. The body of the message is just the subscribe (sub) command. Put a space after sub and another after msi309. Use your first and last name (NOT your e-mail address), with a space between first and last name. This is the only time that you will send an e-mail to the list server.

If submitted correctly, you'll get back an e-mail from the list server that confirms your subscription to the list. If you don’t get back a reply from listserv within an hour or so, check your spam/junk folder to see if it’s there. If so, allow listserv email. Reply to this message within 24 hours, with OK in the body as requested, or follow the given link. If you’re a member of the list and not getting messages sent to the list, then these might be going to the spam/junk folder as well. Allow these also.

When I send you a message, I'm sending it to the class list (not the list server). By the way, feel free to use the list for posting and answering questions.

This is also class contribution!

Mailing List Posting Suggestions

Sign your full name for any postings you make

…unless your email address includes your last name

(No credit otherwise)

Avoid unnecessary postings, such as “Thank yous” or “Your welcomes”

Include a subject in your postings

Do not send attachments

Explicit solutions to projects and homeworks are not permitted

BUS355 (MSI309) TOPICAL OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE^*

Class	Topics	Readings	Files	Due
Jan 22 M	Syllabus. Class mailing list. Online quiz sessions.	Syllabus.
Jan 24 W	Introduction	Chapter 1.	Intro.ppt
Jan 26 F	Forecasting.	Chapter 9.	Forecast.doc
Jan 29 M	Forecasting continued. Forecasting in Excel.		Forecast.xls
Jan 31 W	Class exercises. Forecasting in Excel continued.			Before class work problems 10, 12, 13bc, 15 by hand. In 10c assume S_May=2000 and use Holt’s (double-smoothing) model, not the book’s adjusted method. Also for 15 forecast periods 100 (Winter) and 101. Calculate MAE (MAD) for 10 and ME, MAE, MOE for 12. I'll call on you during class for answers.
Feb 2 F	Online quiz session.⁺
Feb 5 M	Class exercises. Excel demo Exercise 9-13a.		ExCh9data.txt Ex9-13a.xls	Before class work problems 10 and the time series in the text file at left using forecast.xls, but only for single, double, regression. Ignore parts a,b,c in 10. Just use the actual data given in the problem. I'll call on you during class for answers and will collect printouts. Hints: Use the given text file to copy/paste data into forecast.xls. For regression, forecast week 25. For single and double smoothing, try adding a new line for week 25 that just gives the forecast for that week. Do this once you've determined the best alpha for single and the best alpha/beta for double. The new line for single just has an entry in col C; the new line for double has entries in cols C-E.
Feb 7 W	Forecasting project.		Project1S07.doc
Feb 9 F	Online quiz session.
Feb 12 M	Quality Management. Statistical Process Control.	Chapter 4. .	QM.ppt SPC.doc
Feb 14 W	Statistical Process Control continued.
Feb 16 F	Online quiz session.
Feb 19 M	No class… President’s Day.
Feb 21 W	Statistical Process Control in Excel. Class exercises.		SPC.xls	Forecasting project. Work problems 2, 3, 4, 9 by hand, before class. I'll call on you during class for answers.
Feb 23 F	Online quiz session.
Feb 26 M	Return forecasting project. Class exercises.		ExCh4data.xls	Work problems 15, 18 by hand, before class. I'll call on you during class for answers. Use spc.xls to work problem 13ab and two problems in the file at left, before class. I'll call on you during class for answers and will collect printouts. Answer questions posed by typing answers above the appropriate Excel tables.
Feb 28 W	Operations & Supply Chain Strategies & Processes. Exam overview.	Chapters 2 & 3.	OS.ppt
Mar 2 F	Examination I.
Mar 5 M	Return exam. Inventory Management.	Chapter 13.	Inventory.doc
Mar 7 W	Inventory simulation in Excel.		Insim.xls
Mar 9 F	Online quiz session.
Mar 12 M	Inventory project.		Project2S07.doc
Mar 14 W	Class exercises. Inventory project continued.			Work problems 11, 12, 21 before class by hand. I'll call on you during class for answers.
Mar 16 F	No online quiz session. Sleep late!
	Spring Break… Enjoy, be SAFE.
Mar 26 M	Just-in-Time (JIT) Systems. Inventory project continued.	Chapter 15.	JIT.ppt	Work problem 3 before class by hand. I'll call on you during class for answers.
Mar 28 W	Inventory project continued. Project management. Computer demo.	Chapter 5.	Pert.doc PertPlus.exe
Mar 30 F	Online quiz session.
Apr 2 M	Inventory project concluded. Good and bad document hints.		Good&Bad.doc
Apr 4 W	Project management continued. Computer demo continued. Project management project.		Project3S07.doc	Inventory project.
Apr 6 F	No online quiz session. No class.
Apr 9 M	Return inventory project. Project management exercises. Microsoft Project demo.		mppdemo	Assigned project management exercises, p. 6 in Pert file. I'll call on you during class for answers and will collect printouts.
Apr 11 W	Aggregate planning. Excel implementation.	Chapter 12.	Aggregate.doc Transpo.xls Ch12Exercises.doc	Note: Exercise file due next class.
Apr 13 F	Online quiz session.
Apr 16 M	Class exercises.			Work problems in Ch12Exercises.doc file above left before class. I'll call on you during class for answers and will collect printouts.
Apr 18 W	Material Requirements Planning (MRP).	Chapter 14.	MRP.doc	Project management project.
Apr 20 F	Online quiz session.
Apr 23 M	Return project management project. Short-Term Scheduling. Excel implementations.		Scheduling.doc Scheduling .xls
Apr 25 W	Are you thinking about retirement? Your preliminary grade for the course given this class, so you can make decision regarding 2nd exam. Exam overview.		retire.xls Mojena Market Timing
Apr 27 F	Online Q&A session. No Quiz.
Apr 30 M	Optional Examination II.
⁺Online quiz sessions are quizzes sent by email to the class list and due by the end of Friday’s class. We do not meet in class on these days. Quizzes count toward the class contribution grade. You must take at least 5 online quizzes out of 8. Ideally, take them all, but I count just the top five grades. A graded quiz is returned by email on Friday. Correct answers to a quiz are available only to those who participate in that quiz.

*Please check your e-mail before each class for files and topic or schedule changes, if any.
Project files are usually UNavailable before their corresponding dates.

Best to save Excel files and reopen in Excel.