Syllabus

Master of Business Administration

BUSC 630: Operations and Supply Chain Management

Credits - 3

Description

This course examines the strategic role of operations and supply chains in business success. Students will explore process optimization, logistics, inventory management, and supplier relationships. Emphasizing data-driven decision-making and sustainability, the course equips students with skills to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and create value across the supply chain.

Materials

Required Materials

  • Microsoft Excel (available to students using their UNE email address)
    • In this course, students will be expected to have some basic Excel skills such as formatting cells, inserting tables, creating formulas, using relative and absolute cell references, basic functions (SUM, AVERAGE, IF), simple charts and familiarity with introductory statistics concepts, such as descriptive statistics (mean, variance, standard deviation), basic probability concepts. Resources are provided within the course.

Supplemental Materials

  • Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2026). Operations and supply chain management (15th ed.). Pearson.
    • The textbook is supplemental material and is not required

All other course materials will be provided and linked in Brightspace. 

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

  • Apply forecasting methods to predict demand and support operational decision-making.
  • Analyze inventory management techniques to improve cost efficiency and service levels.
  • Evaluate quality management tools to monitor process performance and control variation.
  • Develop production schedules and resource plans that balance capacity, efficiency, and demand.
  • Synthesize project management and operational strategies to improve organizational performance.

Assignments

Weekly Problem Sets

Students complete five quantitative problem sets aligned with core operations and supply chain topics, including forecasting, inventory management, quality control, scheduling, and project management. Assignments emphasize correct application of analytical methods, clear documentation of work (Excel or handwritten), and interpretation of results in business contexts.

Discussion Boards & Case Study Activities

Throughout the course, students engage in six discussion- or case-based activities. These require analysis of real-world operations and supply chain scenarios (e.g., forecasting at Hard Rock Café, inventory challenges at Target, quality management at Alaska Airlines, large-scale project failures such as the Big Dig). Students must post an initial analysis and respond substantively to peers.

Midterm Exam

The midterm exam assesses understanding of foundational concepts from the first half of the course, with emphasis on forecasting and inventory management. The exam includes applied and integrative questions that test both conceptual knowledge and quantitative reasoning.

Final Project: Applied Operations Management

Students complete a cumulative final project that requires them to apply course concepts to an integrated operations or project management scenario. The project emphasizes the synthesis of forecasting, inventory, quality, scheduling, and project management tools, along with data-driven analysis and professional communication. Students also complete a brief reflective component connecting course concepts to professional practice.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

AssignmentPoints
Academic Integrity Agreement1
Week 1 Discussion: Introductions2
Week 1 Discussion: Exploring Current Challenges in Operations and Supply Chain Management3
Weekly Case Study Discussions (5 x 6 Points)30
Weekly Problem Sets (5 x 6 Points)30
Week 4 Mid-Term Exam 12
Week 8 Discussion: Final Reflection2
Week 8 Assignment: Final Project - Applied Operations Management20
Total 100

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Course Dates: 1/14/2026 – 3/6/2026

Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday
Week 8: Monday – Friday

WEEK TOPICS ASSESSMENTS DUE
1 Operations and Productivity
  • Week 1 Discussion: Introductions
  • Week 1 Discussion: Course Project Launch – Company Selection
  • Week 1 Discussion: Exploring Current Challenges in Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • Initial Discussion Posts due Friday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Discussion Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
2 Demand Forecasting
  • Week 2 Discussion: Forecasting at Hard Rock Cafe Case Study
  • Week 2 Assignment: Problem Set
  • Initial Discussion Post due Friday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Discussion Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
3 Inventory Management
  • Week 3 Discussion: Target’s Overly Optimistic Stock Case Study
  • Week 3 Assignment: Problem Set
  • Initial Discussion Post due Friday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Discussion Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
4 Mid-Term Exam
  • Week 4: Mid-Term Exam
  • Mid-Term exam due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
5 Quality Management
  • Week 5 Discussion: Alaska Airlines Case Study
  • Week 5 Assignment: Problem Set
  • Initial Discussion Post due Friday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Discussion Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
6 Planning and Short-Term Scheduling
  • Week 6 Discussion: Old Oregon Wood Store Case Study
  • Week 6 Assignment: Problem Set
  • Initial Discussion Post due Friday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Discussion Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
7 Project Management
  • Week 7 Discussion: Geoeconomics of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Project Case Study
  • Week 7 Assignment: Problem Set
  • Initial Discussion Post due Friday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Discussion Responses due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
8 Final Project and Reflection
  • Week 8 Discussion: Final Reflection
  • Week 8 Assignment: Final Project – Applied Operations Management
  • Initial Discussion Posts due FRIDAY at 11:59 PM ET
  • Discussion Responses (optional) due FRIDAY at 11:59 PM ET
  • Assignment due FRIDAY at 11:59 PM ET

 

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Enrollment and Retention Counselor is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Please reach out to your student success team member.

UNE Libraries:

  • Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
  • Research by Subject: Business & Entrepreneurship Collection
  • Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their student success team member and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week 

Phone: Mon-Fri: (207) 602-2487

After Hours/Weekends: (877) 518-4673

Career Ready Program

UNE Online supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Passing Grade Statement

A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass the course. A grade lower than 80% will result in you having to repeat the course. Obtaining two "Fs" in the program will result in dismissal from the program.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement

Generative AI (GenAI) applications (like ChatGPT) have proven to be powerful and effective tools, and students are encouraged to become familiar with and use them. However, as with any tool, students must use GenAI in ways that support their roles as learners and professionals. The use of AI in academic work falls under our academic integrity agreement, ensuring that all AI applications are used in alignment with our commitment to honest and responsible learning.

In situations in which AI tools are used as a resource, students must:

  • Ensure that all submitted academic work adequately demonstrates student learning (i.e., that the student, rather than a machine, has met the learning outcomes related to the assessment).
  • Acknowledge, in written assessments and extra-curricular applications, the role played by AI tools in producing the student’s work (this can usually be done in a citation or by including a session transcript).
  • Take ultimate responsibility for accuracy of results, think critically about them, and never substitute them for professional human judgment.
  • Monitor GenAI output for bias and risks for vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.

As GenAI continues to evolve, students should also stay abreast of best practices and changing risks and benefits.

Please note that individual courses or assignments may have specific guidelines regarding AI use — please refer to your faculty’s directions or assignment instructions for details.

The Student Orientation has a module "Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Students", please refer to this module for more information about navigating the use of AI.

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

UNE uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. 

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your enrollment and retention counselor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students at the University of New England. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Attendance Policy

Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Business will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET of the first week. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean’s Office.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.