Production operations models: Development of a first experience graduate course in manufacturing operations

Abstract

The Master of Science degree in Engineering at Grand Valley State University offers an emphasis in Manufacturing Operations. As part of the Manufacturing Operations emphasis, students are required to take a sequence of courses in areas such as Production Operations Models, Material Handling and Plant Layout, Manufacturing Simulation, and Manufacturing Work Environments. The design of the Production Operations Models course is structured for students who have industrial experience in manufacturing operations but lack previous exposure to the theoretical models involved in analyzing manufacturing operations. The course is designed to provide a structured flow of materials that represents a variety of production analysis techniques and can be delivered as a one-semester experience. The resulting topical coverage in the course includes some standard production operation topics such as inventory models and MRP systems as well as more current topics in lean manufacturing such as construction of value stream maps and design and implementation of kanban systems.