CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
Spring 2023
SOM 306 Syllabus
Operations Management
Section 13579
Monday 4:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Room: Noski Auditorium
Instructor: Jane Tierney
Email: jane.tierney@csun.edu
Office: Bookstein Hall 4245
Cell Phone: 719-339-1490
Office Hours: Monday 7 pm – 8 pm, and by appointment
PREREQUISITES:
Math 103, SOM 120 or Math 140
BUS 302/L (Recommended Co-requisite or Preparatory)
This syllabus, course schedule, and the contents of course web site are subject to change in the event
of extenuating circumstances. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on
announcements made while you were absent.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Operations management is the field of study that focuses on the effective and efficient transformation of
resource inputs, such as labor and materials, into useful outputs, such as products and services.
Students will become familiar with concepts and terminology of traditional subject areas in operations
management, such as process flow analysis in production and service processes, demand forecasting,
capacity planning, production planning, total quality management, project management, and inventory
management, as well as emerging methodologies such as supply chain management, lean operations and
time-based competition. Additionally, students will develop the ability to perform both quantitative and
qualitative analysis of basic operational situations and decisions. Students will also improve their
capabilities to communicate effectively to management the results of their analysis of operations
problems.
LEARNING GOALS
This course introduces students to the terminologies, concepts, and key decision problems of operations
management and it develops their ability to apply concepts and analytical techniques of operations
management to decision making situations in the life of a productive system. Emphasis is also placed on the
integration of various functions within the field of operations management and the interfaces between this
discipline and other managerial functions. The course also provides a knowledge base for students who are
interested in becoming professionals in this field.
TEXT
REQUIRED:
Operations Management
Stevenson, William J.
McGraw-Hill Irwin
Thirteenth Edition preferred; Fourteenth Edition acceptable
PREREQUISITES
The study of Operations Management requires knowledge and understanding of quantitative tools and
techniques which should have been gained through the prerequisite courses. Examples of such tools and
techniques are linear algebra of cost and revenue functions, systems of linear equations, estimation of mean
and standard deviation, time series analysis, probability and sampling distributions, confidence interval
estimates, etc.
1
STUDENT EVALUATION1
Students will be evaluated in the following manner:
Method of Evaluation
Two mid-term exams
(200 points each)
One final comprehensive exam
Homework Problems
Group Papers (2, 50 points each)
Final Paper
Team Evaluation
Course Engagement
(In-class and team participation)
Weights
400 points
200 points
50 points
100 points
100 points
75 points
75 points
---------------1,000 points
=========
TOTAL
Grades will be determined on a curve. The highest student total will determine the starting point, and
grades will be assigned as follows:
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Range of Total Points
> 93.0 %
90.0 - 92.9 %
86.9 – 89.9 %
83.0 – 86.8 %
80.0 – 82.9 %
76.9 – 79.9 %
73.0 – 76.8 %
70.0 – 72.9 %
66.9 – 69.9 %
63.0 – 66.8 %
60.0 – 62.9 %
< 60.0 %
Attendance and punctuality Policy:
Your cooperation, support and participation are essential to creating a positive learning environment. This
course will be conducted with the expectation that all students are aware of and follow the following rules
and policies:
Arrive ON TIME, pay attention to the lectures, participate in class discussions
Remain in the classroom until break time, return to class ON TIME, remaining until the end of class
ALL electronic devices are prohibited from use during class – cell phones, tablets, computers. Shut
down all electronics prior to the start of class and remain off for the entire class period. No side /
personal conversations are allowed. NO food is allowed in class. Beverages are permitted, but
consume in a quiet, polite fashion.
1The
Instructor reserves the right to change course requirements and grading process to optimize the
student learning experience. Students will be notified of any such changes.
2
Exams:
Exams cover a variety of operations management problem solving tools/techniques. To reflect the
quantitative nature of this course, each of the course’s three exams will be composed of about two-thirds
quantitative questions and one-third conceptual questions. Exams are closed-book and closed-notes. Formula
sheets will be furnished with exams, with a few exceptions which I will advise. Calculators may be used, but
no cell phones or device with internet connectivity.
Make-up examinations given on exception basis, at instructor discretion. Any student needing a makeup
exam should contact me prior to the scheduled exam date with a valid reason for a make-up. Missed exams
will receive a zero for the exam.
Homework:
Homework problems are assigned in the syllabus and are due at the start of class uploaded into Canvas
ONLY. Homework will be collected each week, with 5 random weeks graded. No homework will be
returned. No late submissions accepted.
Papers / Group Project:
Each student will be assigned to a group the second week of class. Each group will pick a company and
write 2 papers covering different subjects covered in class. The final paper will build on the first 2. Each
of the 2 papers should be 3-5 pages (excluding the cover page and appendix) on application of various
topics covered in class related to the company you select. Papers will be due (uploaded into Canvas)
before class begins. Papers should be typed in legible font (10-12pt), 1” margins double spaced. Papers
should include the following:
 Summary of topic(s) covered in class relating to your case
 Address the topic as if you are the Chief Operating Officer for the company or a
consultant hired to assist the company with current issues
 Identify relevant issues and how those pertain to your selected company
 Identify potential risks to your company, and discuss how those might be addressed,
mitigated, or eliminated
 Include other issues or ideas on the topic
 For topics and grade criteria see Project Instructions (separate document)
Attendance:
You are expected to attend every class, and doing so earns 50 of 75 points possible. The remaining 25
points are awarded based on participation which includes weekly in-class discussions on how the topic
applies to Apple and production of iphones. We will use this company and product to illustrate the ideas
and concepts in the book. Read the chapter before class and come prepared to offer ideas on how the main
topics are found within Apple and apply to manufacturing of iphones.
Further important information:
This class requires a textbook, and students are expected to read the chapters prior to class. It is heavily
quantitative and often requires the use of the textbook, paper and a calculator. Students are expected to come
to class with these items so they can actively participate in classroom activities.
3
CSUN POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
The CSUN General Catalog Web Site (http://catalog.csun.edu/archive/2014/policy_categories/universityregulations.html) contains information on the following policies and regulations:
Nondiscrimination Policy (this section contains information regarding sexual harassment and
Students with disabilities)
Privacy and Students Information
Student Conduct
o Academic Dishonesty
o Academic Grievance and Grade Appeals
Safety Checklist
Other Policies
Disability Resources and Educational Services
“Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) is guided by the belief that each individual has strengths,
abilities and talents. Through student service, training and education programs, DRES furthers the vision of an inclusive
society that supports the attainment of academic, professional and personal goals for persons of all abilities.
If you’re a student, please take a look at Student Services to learn more about DRES. If you’re a faculty or staff member,
review the Accommodating Students section, and explore our Student Access and Accommodation System (SAAS).
To learn more about our department mission and vision, visit About Us.” http://www.csun.edu/dres
4
COURSE OUTLINE
Students are expected to prepare for class by reading the appropriate material in the Stevenson text along with
slides used in class discussion and any other material provided. Additional material will be handed out in
class or posted on Moodle during the semester. This schedule represents the instructor’s best estimate of the
time frame for covering each topic, but variations may occur during the semester if /as necessary.
Week
Jan 23
TOPICS
Chapter/Pages Problems/Pages
Introduction to Course
Introduction to Operations Management
Ch. 1 / 2-35
no problems
Due Date
Jan 30
Competitiveness, Strategy, and Productivity
Teams Assigned
Ch. 2 / 40-63
P 1-5 / PP. 65-66
2/6
Feb 6
Forecasting
Ch. 3 / 74-117
P 1-5 / PP. 124-125
2/13
Feb 13
Strategic Capacity Planning for Products and Services
Ch. 5 / 184-211
P 1-5 / PP. 212
2/20
Feb 20
Product and Service Design
Ch. 4 / 134-167
no problems
Paper #1 Due
Feb 27
************ Exam I Chapters 1-5 **************
Mar 6
Process Selection and Facilities Layout
Location Planning and Analysis
Ch. 6 / 236-276 P 1-5,14 / PP. 281-284
Ch. 8 / 336-359 P 1-7 / PP. 361-362
3/13
3/13
Mar 13
Supply Chain Management
Ch. 15 / 648-684 P 1-3 / PP 685
3/27
Mar 20
Spring Break
No class
Mar 27
Material Requirements Planning and
Enterprise Resource Planning
Aggregate Planning and Master Scheduling
Ch. 12 / 494-534 P 1-10 / PP. 535-538
Ch. 11/ 456-484 P 1-7 / PP. 487-489
4/3
4/3
Apr 3
Inventory Management
Ch. 13/ 546-582 P 1-6 / PP. 589-590
4/17
Apr 10
************ Exam II Chapters, 6, 8, 11-13, 15 **************
Apr 17
Management of Quality
Paper #2 Due
Ch. 9 no problems
Apr 24
Quality Control
Ch. 10 / 410-441, P1-6 / PP. 448-449
5/1
May 1
Just-in-Time and Lean Operations
Ch. 14 / 604-635 P 1-3 / P. 636
5/8
May 8
Exam Review
Final Paper Due
Final SOM 306 Exam: Monday, May 15 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
(Chapters: 1-6, 8-15, 17)
5