Management

Management

Management Science/Operations Management

What is Operations Management?

At the University of Canterbury, Management Science includes specialisations of Operations Research and Operations Management. The two disciplines have much in common but are differently focussed and develop different skills. Students can focus solely on Operations Research or Operations Management or craft a degree covering both aspects of Management Science.

Operations Management is concerned with the design, planning and management of all facilities, processes and activities required to transform resources into goods and services.

Operations management is applicable to nearly all types of organisations including white ware manufacturers, retail shops, car assemblers, banks and even many clubs and non-profit organisations.

Operations managers control more than seventy percent of organisational resources – people, money, materials, and buildings – used in manufacturing or in providing services. Therefore to be competitive in global markets, it is important that these resources are used efficiently and effectively.

The efficient and effective management of these resources requires the kinds of skills and knowledge provided in Operations Management courses. Courses focus both on issues such as product design, process design, capacity planning, production planning inventory control, project management, and quality management.

Successful manufacturing and operations managers also need knowledge of marketing, human resource management, and finance.

Why study Operations Management?

Graduates are usually employed by manufacturing companies, management consultancies, transport companies, telecommunication service providers, the energy sector, and SOEs. Many graduates are expected to rise to senior management levels.

Students of other disciplines, such as marketing, human resource management, finance and engineering, often take courses in this area to broaden their education and enhance the prospect of progress in their subsequent careers.

Background required to take Operations Management

There is no restriction to entry and you may enrol in all courses subject to completion of the necessary prerequisites.

  • MSCI 110 "Quantitative Methods for Business" or 100-level Statistics is required to major in the area, and a reasonable background in maths is necessary
  • Basic knowledge of accounting, economics, and computing is desirable
  • Stage 2 courses in organisation management, marketing, and finance are highly recommended

Degree planning

The Operations Management major within Management Science can be taken for a BA, BSc or BCom.

Students majoring in Operations Management should take MSCI 101, with either MSCI 110, or STAT 101, or equivalent in their first year if they wish to complete their degree in three years.

Students with strong mathematical ability may wish to take further MSCI and COSC courses.

The BCom Major in Management Science and Operations Management provides a good programme of study for anyone wishing to major in Management Science for a BCom or BA. For the BCom the following courses are compulsory; additional courses will be needed to meet the BCom requirements. For a non-endorsed degree, substitution of courses is allowed as long as the corresponding degree requirements are fulfilled. For all degrees, courses may be shifted between years where the prerequisites allow this.

BCom Majoring in Management Science and Operations Management

Year 1

MSCI 110 may be replaced by STAT 101

Year 2

As well as an additional 15 points at or above 100 level and 60 points at or above 200-level.

Recommended for Operations Management:

Year 3

  • MSCI 370 (15 pts)
  • plus 45 points 300-level MSCI

Recommended:

As well as an additional 30 points at 300-level and 30 points at or above 200-level.

Recommended:

Contacts

For information about courses contact:

Phone: 03 364 2606
Fax: (03) 364 2020
Freephone: 0800 827 748 (in New Zealand)
enquiry@mang.canterbury.ac.nz
or e-mail the relevant staff members teaching the courses.

The Department of Management
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch
New Zealand

For general information on University courses or enrolment procedures:

University Liaison Officer
Phone: 03 364 2993
Freephone: 0800 103 109 in New Zealand
liaison@canterbury.ac.nz