Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module BUSI2181: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI2181: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to N201
Tied to N203
Tied to N207
Tied to N509
Tied to N510
Tied to N511

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with a critical knowledge and understanding of operations management at an advanced level.

Content

  • Part I - Operations Strategy - Introduction to Operations Management; The performance objectives of Operations; The strategic role of Operations.
  • Part II - Design Issues - The design of products and services; Design of the operations network; Layout and flow; Process technology; Job design.
  • Part III - Issues in Planning and Control - Capacity planning and control; Inventory planning and control; Supply chain management; Just-In-Time; Project planning and control; Quality planning and control.
  • Part IV - Improving Operations - Performance measurement; Benchmarking; Business Process Re-engineering; Total Quality Management.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students are expected to have a critical knowledge and understanding of:
  • the similarities and differences between operations
  • the role which operations management should play in achieving strategic success
  • the nature of planning and control in operations management, ways in which the performance of operations can be measured
  • approaches to managing the rate of improvement of operations.
  • the need for product and service design and process design to be considered interactively.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module, students are expected to:
  • implement different operation strategies to different types of operations
  • plan and manage resources to complete a project
  • articulate how planning and control in operation and supply chain management can be used to help improve performance and achieve competitive advantages for organizations
Key Skills:
  • Written communication
  • Planning
  • Teamwork
  • Problem solving
  • Using initiative
  • Analysis and application
  • Computer Literacy
  • Presentation

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by a combination of lectures and simulation workshops. Learning takes place through attendance and participation at lectures, simulations, class exercises, group work and discussions.
  • Formative assessment is by means of a contribution to an application-oriented group presentation. Students will also receive continuous computerised feedback from multiple simulations which run through the course.
  • Summative assessment is by means of an individual assignment in the form of a report. Selective readings on DUO will guide students to prepare for the final assignment. The written report is designed to examine students' critical understanding of subject-specific knowledge in the relevant literature as well as the application of theories to practical situations. Students will also be asked to reflect on their learning from engaging with operation simulations.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 Weekly 2 hour 20
TEAL Workshops 4 Fortnightly 2 hour 8
Preparation and Reading 172
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual assignment 4500 words 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Contribution to a case-study based group presentation.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University