All OM majors take three 3000-level classes, referred to as the “OM tools classes,” which teach students how to think critically about managing supply chains, analyze business process, and model decisions using prescriptive analytics and optimization technologies. These classes also make up 3 of the 5 classes in the OM minor.
Business Decision Models (OPM 3500)
This course introduces tools for prescriptive analytics to enable operations managers to turn data into decisions. Students learn the art and science of building conceptual, mathematical, and spreadsheet models. Spreadsheet modeling is one of the most important tools for any operations manager, and this course teaches the foundations to analyze data from cases or real business problems. Although building and solving analytical models is important, this course also has a heavy emphasis on interpreting model output and using it to make smart decisions.
Supply Chain Management (OPM 3710)
This class teaches students to profitably match supply and demand in supply chains. It weaves spreadsheet models together with case analysis (to understand the supply chains of real companies) and experiential learning (including simulations and games).
Business Process Analysis (OPM 3730)
This class introduces common tools that operations managers use to answer the questions “how well is my process working?” and “how can I make it work better?” These tools include the basics of process analysis, lean operations, analysis of waiting lines, and the introduction to simulation software, which allows operations managers to replicate a business process on the computer and see the effects of different improvements before implementing them in the workplace.
