Operations Management (B.S.)

Program Coordinator/Contact

Suzette Burckhard, Interim Department Head
Department of Construction and Operations Management
Solberg Hall 116
605-688-6417

Program Information

The Operations Management (OM) program has been designed to prepare students to manage operations and resources including people, equipment, facilities, finances, and processes. The OM program is an applied management program tailored to entry-level positions of responsibility in manufacturing, technical services companies, suppliers to manufacturers, and/or industrial sales.

There are three emphases in the OM program. The Supply Chain Management emphasis addresses the system for producing consumer products or service from raw materials to final delivery.  Production management, logistics (people, facilities, transportation) and warehousing are covered in depth to prepare you for a high-demand career in SCM.  The Manufacturing emphasis includes Lean, quality management systems, process development, workplace safety, supply chain management, and industrial controls. Students may elect to pursue an additional professional certification at graduation. The Electronics emphasis prepares students to work as supervisors or project team leaders in industries that manufacture, service, or develop electronic devices or distributed systems. Courses include circuits, digital & analog devices, networks, microcontrollers, PCBs, industrial controls, and PLCs.

Program Educational Outcomes

SDSU Operations Management graduates will become professionals who:

1. Achieve positions of increasing responsibility or leadership with employers, professional organizations, or civic organizations as an indicator of professional competence, demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, and successfully function in team environments (Professional Responsibility and Teamwork);
2. Apply management, mathematics and science principles, and appropriate technology to the solution of current and future problems in the field of operations management, and (Problem Solving); and,
3. Complete licensure, certification, short courses, workshops, or advanced degrees in technical, professional, or management subject areas to enhance their abilities in operations management practice and the global business environment (Professional Growth).

Student Outcomes

Operations Management graduates will have:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline.
2. an ability to formulate or design a system, process, procedure, or program to meet desired needs.
3. an ability to develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgement to draw conclusions.
4. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
5. an ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
6. An ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.
7. An ability to understand the value of diverse perspectives in the workplace.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

The Operations Management (B.S.) program at SDSU is accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Course Delivery Format

The program provides coursework on the Brookings campus in classroom, laboratory, and field-based settings. The OM program has a dedicated computer and simulation lab for process analysis, CAD applications, and project development, and shares fabrication space in the AME Production Lab.