Department of Operations and Information Technology Management

Leadership

Palash Bera, Ph.D.
     Chair

Overview

The Department of Operations and Information Technology Management offers a bachelor’s of science degree in Business Technology Management with a choice of Analytics and Enterprise Systems concentration.

Saint Louis University’s Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business is a member of the SAP University Alliance, which allows the school to provide students in certain courses with hands-on experience with SAP software (the world leader in enterprise systems software). This enables students to put classroom theory into practice with real-world tools.

Students who possess a working knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) using SAP software have the opportunity to obtain an SAP Certificate awarded by SAP America, Inc. The certification positions students for employment with organizations that use SAP/ERP and others who use non-SAP/ERP tools (e.g., PeopleSoft). 

Palash Bera, Ph.D.
Mark Ferris, Ph.D.
Justin Goodson, Ph.D.
Tracy Granneman, Ph.D.
Kery Guilliams, M.B.A.
Abhimanyu Gupta, M.Stat.
Sandip Sarka, Ph.D.
Yulia Vorotyntseva, Ph.D. 
Xiao Zhang, Ph.D.

BTM 2000 - Introduction to Business Technology Management

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course introduces students to the development, implementation and use of information systems in organizations. It is intended to prepare students for living and working in an information-rich, networked world and to introduce students to the profession of business technology management. A variety of computer software is utilized to fulfill the objectives. Major topics include: the creation, storage, and usage of data; the application of information systems in organizations and functional areas; information security; IT trends; business analytics; enterprise systems; and the role of IT in supply chain management. As more and more businesses globally adopt enterprise systems, it becomes increasingly important for students to understand how real-world business processes are managed and executed.

Attributes: Business Common Body Knowledge

BTM 2500 - Data Modeling, Analysis and Visualization

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course introduces the student to the full arc of a data lifecycle in business analytics, from modeling, spreadsheet and database analyses through visualization. Students will build and use a relational database based on a data model and write queries in SQL to extract and prepare data for analysis. MS Excel is the most heavily used data platform in all of business. Students completing BTM 2500 will be able to apply an advanced Excel skillset to cleansing, organizing, consolidating data, and then analyzing and reporting results through visualization techniques. Finally, students will use software for data visualization.

Prerequisite(s): (BTM 2000 or ITM 2000)

Attributes: Business Common Body Knowledge

BTM 3100 - Enterprise Application Development

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course provides the students with a fundamental understanding of enterprise application technologies using web-based protocols, data storage, and communication methodologies. The course uses JavaScript programming language and SAP's HANA "In-Memory" data storage, retrieval and analytics platform. (Offered in Fall)

Prerequisite(s): (BTM 2000 or ITM 2000)

Attributes: BTM Major Standard Requirement, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Elective

BTM 3300 - Managing Databases and Big Data

Credit(s): 3 Credits

Databases play a key role in information systems and drives running different applications for organizations. The importance of a database and its management has increased due to the immense size of the data generated and the variety of data sources used. Managers need to know how to derive meaningful actions from both structured and non-structured data sources. This course focuses on understanding how data is managed in organizations. The key topics include SQL queries, Hadoop and MapReduce, big data characteristics, and applications that use data. Students will learn SQL, SQL in Google cloud, and Big Data concepts. (Offered in Fall)

Prerequisite(s): (ITM 2500 or BTM 2500)

Attributes: Business Analytics Minor Req, BTM Major Standard Elective, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Elective, Supply Chain Minor Elective

BTM 3500 - Data Governance and Information Security

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course will examine the field of data governance and information security to equip students with both managerial and technical knowledge for their roles as business decision makers. The course provides the foundation for understanding the key issues associated with protecting data assets, determining the levels of protection, understanding data governance framework, and complying with security regulations. Students will grasp a solid understanding of data communication basics and data governance principles to comprehend the security triad: Confidentiality, Integrity and Accountability. (Offered in Fall)

Prerequisite(s): (BTM 2000 or ITM 2000)

Attributes: BTM Major Standard Requirement, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Elective

BTM 3700 - Business Analytics

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course builds on the basic analytical concepts and visualization techniques that are taught in BTM 2500. The course focuses on three aspects of data analytics. These are (a) data cleaning and preparation, (b) advanced visualization development, and (3) predictive analytics techniques to solve business problems. For data cleaning and preparation, tools/language such as OpenRefine and R will be used. For developing advanced visualizations, Tableau & R will be used. These visualizations will be used in the storytelling format. Finally, predictive analytics techniques such as Regression and Decision Tree will be used to predict business events.

Prerequisite(s): (ITM 2500 or BTM 2500)

Attributes: Business Analytics Minor Req, BTM Major Standard Elective, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Requirement, Supply Chain Minor Elective

BTM 3810 - Business Simulation with SAP

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course introduces ERP while providing a foundation for common business processes and decisions using analytics. Playing the simulation game will allow the students to become proficient in the use of SAP. They will purchase and sell inventory, order and manufacture goods, handle finances as well as create strategies to be successful in a competitive environment. Students assume the role of business managers and learn to make the necessary decisions to operate a businesses. In addition, students will learn how to apply analytics to the operational business data so their company can perform more efficiently.

Prerequisite(s): (BTM 2000 or ITM 2000); ACCT 2200; OPM 3050*

* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

Attributes: BTM Major Standard Requirement, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Requirement

BTM 3850 - Applied Enterprise Systems Implementation

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course focuses on setting up an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for use in a global organization. Students learn how to configure a large system to support a global organization with multiple companies. Project management skills are enhanced as the students work in cross-functional teams in order to configure and use a multi-company ERP system. (Offered in Fall)

Prerequisite(s): (BTM 3810 or ITM 4900)

Attributes: BTM Major Standard Elective, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Requirement

BTM 4100 - Systems Analysis and Design Thinking

Credit(s): 3 Credits

Systems Analysis is a core IT management topic. Systems/Business Analysts play a major role in designing effective information systems. They act as a communicator between the stakeholders (e.g. management) and the IT team (e.g. Developers). This course focuses on the tasks that a systems analyst must know in order to do their job effectively. The contents include fundamentals of systems analysis, information requirements analysis, and agile approaches. A relatively new approach in designing products and services is Design Thinking. This course adopts the techniques of design thinking such as ideation, empathy, prototyping, and user testing in the context of information systems development. The techniques of design thinking are blended in the systems analysis processes. (Offered in Spring)

Prerequisite(s): (BTM 2500 or ITM 2500)

Attributes: BTM Major Standard Requirement, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Elective

BTM 4700 - Machine Learning in Business Analytics

Credit(s): 3 Credits

Machine learning (ML) extracts meaningful insights from raw data to quickly solve complex, data-rich business problems. Organizations generate large volume of structured and unstructured data that needs to be analyzed. Machine Learning can increase the power of decision making by extracting insights from large data. In this course, students will learn the core concepts and different techniques of machine learning and examine how they can be used to improve business decision making. Using R, students will apply the machine learning techniques on large business datasets. Students will learn the application of machine learning algorithms in multiple business domains (e.g. Healthcare, Supply Chain, and Banking) to gain useful business insights. (Offered in Fall and Spring)

Prerequisite(s): (BTM 3700 or ITM 3700)

Attributes: Business Analytics Minor Elec, BTM Major Standard Elective, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Requirement

BTM 4810 - Business Technology Management Practicum

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The Business Technology Internship Course is an educational experience that gives students the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, expand professional skills and earn academic credit. The internship will focus on a technology area (e.g. creating a conceptual model of the database) that will help the students to reinforce the skills that they learnt in the classroom. The internship will also help the students to learn soft skills and communication skills.

Prerequisite(s): BTM 3100

Attributes: BTM Major Standard Requirement, BTM Minor Elective

BTM 4811 - Data Analytics Practicum

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The Data Analytics Internship Course is an educational experience that gives students the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, expand professional skills and earn academic credit. The internship will focus on a technology area (e.g. creating a conceptual model of the database) that will help the students to reinforce the skills that they learnt in the classroom. The internship will also help the students to learn soft skills and communication skills.

Attributes: Business Analytics Minor Elec, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Practicum Elec

BTM 4812 - Enterprise Systems Practicum

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The Enterprise Systems Internship Course is an educational experience that gives students the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, expand professional skills and earn academic credit. The internship will focus on a technology area (e.g. modeling a business process) that will help the students to reinforce the skills that they learnt in the classroom. The internship will also help the students to learn soft skills and communication skills.

Attributes: Business Analytics Minor Elec, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Practicum Elec

BTM 4910 - Business Technology Management Internship

Credit(s): 1-3 Credits

The Business Technology Internship Course is an educational experience that gives students the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, expand professional skills and earn academic credit. The internship will focus on a technology area (e.g. creating a conceptual model of the database) that will help the students to reinforce the skills that they learnt in the classroom. The internship will also help the students to learn soft skills and communication skills. (Offered in Fall)

Prerequisite(s): Minimum Earned Credits of 60; (BTM 3100, ITM 3100, or BIZ 3000)

Attributes: UUC:Reflection-in-Action

BTM 4930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Attributes: Business Analytics Minor Elec, BTM Major Standard Requirement, BTM Minor Elective, BTM Major AES Requirement

BTM 4980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Independent Study.

OPM 2070 - Introduction to Business Statistics

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course introduces students to the principles of statistics. Subjects include: descriptive statistics for displaying and summarizing business data; the use of probabilities and random variables in business decision models, probability distribution, statistical inference as a decision-making tool, sampling of business data, simple linear regression and correlation, time series analysis, use of index numbers in economic data and the use of statistics to manage supply chains.

Prerequisite(s): (Math Waiver per Advisor with a minimum score of 1200, 1 Course from MATH 1200-4999, or SLU Math Placement with a minimum score of 1400)

Attributes: Business Common Body Knowledge

OPM 2930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

OPM 2980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Permission of the department chair.

OPM 3050 - Introduction to Management Science and Operations Management

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The objectives of this course are to: 1) acquaint the student with the overall operations research/management science process; 2) expose the student to several of the most widely utilized operations research/management science and production planning models, along with the solution techniques; 3) familiarize the student with the use of computers in facilitating managerial decisions.

Prerequisite(s): (OPM 2070; (MATH 1320, MATH 1510, MATH 1520, or MATH 2530))

Attributes: Business Common Body Knowledge

OPM 3930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

OPM 3980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Permission of the department chair.

OPM 4440 - Sourcing & Strategy

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The course focuses on strategic management of supply chains in the context of an integrated enterprise. In particular, procurement, purchasing, sourcing, supplier selection, and total cost of ownership.

Prerequisite(s): OPM 3050; Minimum Earned Credits of 90

Attributes: Supply Chain Minor Requiremt

OPM 4460 - Logistics & Warehousing

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The objectives of this course are: (1) to acquaint the student with the use of logistics management theory and techniques for analyzing and controlling global manufacturing and operations management systems; (2) to expose the student to several of the most widely utilized models for supply chain management in the manufacturing and service sectors (financial, health care, public sectors, etc.), along with case studies; and (3) to familiarize the student with the use of computer software in facilitating logistics decisions.

Prerequisite(s): OPM 3050; Minimum Earned Credits of 90

Attributes: Supply Chain Minor Requiremt

OPM 4930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

OPM 4980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Permission of the department chair.

OPM 5020 - Applied Business Statistics

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course challenges students to think about business problems in a systematic fashion by reviewing mathematical concepts and developing statistical thinking skills. Statistical thinking can lead to both a better understanding of the problem and can result in higher quality solution options. The course provides coverage of the more widely used statistical methods to aid in problem formulation, data analysis and managerial decision-making. At the end of this course students will have a more sophisticated understanding of the mathematics that underlie probability and statistical concepts, issues involving data interpretation, and decision-making under conditions of uncertainty.

Attributes: MBA Foundation

OPM 5050 - Introduction to Operations Management

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The objective of this course are (1) familiarize students with production planning and control (2) to familiarize students with the use of operations research techniques for analyzing and controlling manufacturing, inventory, and operations management systems; and (3) to train students to use computers for making production and operations management decisions.

Prerequisite(s): OPM 5020 with a grade of C or higher

Attributes: MBA Foundation

OPM 5910 - Graduate Internship

Credit(s): 1-6 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Supply Chain Management.

OPM 5930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

OPM 5980 - Graduate Reading Course

Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

OPM 6000 - Forecasting and Demand Management

Credit(s): 3 Credits

Advanced topics in statistical modeling, data analysis and decision making. Extensive use of computer packages and real business databases. Topics include model building and research design; variance and experimental design; multiple regression and correlation analysis; time series and forecasting; statistical quality control; non-parametric procedures; model decision analysis.

Prerequisite(s): OPM 5020 with a grade of C or higher

OPM 6050 - Operations Management

Credit(s): 3 Credits

Designed to familiarize students with decision-making tools and models that are utilized by operational managers, to present business firm integrated operational practices in the manufacturing and service sectors, and to analyze and examine the business strategic planning process from a cross-functional perspective, utilizing case studies. Topics include: operations and supply-chain strategy, project management, strategic capacity management, job scheduling and control, logistics for facility location decisions, aggregate planning, and deterministic/stochastic inventory decisions.

Prerequisite(s): OPM 5050* with a grade of C or higher

* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

Attributes: MBA Project Managment Conc

OPM 6430 - Quality Improvement/Lean Sigma

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course is intended to serve as an in-depth examination of quality principles applied specifically to manufacturing, service and supply chain environments. Both managerial and statistical aspects will be covered.

Prerequisite(s): OPM 5050 with a grade of C or higher

OPM 6440 - Supply Chain Sourcing & Strategy

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The course focuses on strategic management of supply chains in the context of an integrated enterprise. In particular, procurement, purchasing, sourcing, supplier selection, and total cost of ownership. (Offered in Fall)

Prerequisite(s): OPM 5050* with a grade of C or higher

* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

Attributes: MBA Project Managment Conc, MBA Supply Chain Mgmt Conc

OPM 6460 - Supply Chain Management

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course develops a framework for supply chain decision-making. To deal with the complexity of large supply networks, we study them as the conglomeration of smaller parts, e.g., as individual processes and stock points. By taking this approach, we develop tactical knowledge and high-level insights applicable to the management of industrial-size supply networks. We demonstrate that companies can use (and have used) these insights to significantly enhance their competitiveness.

Attributes: MBA Supply Chain Mgmt Conc

OPM 6600 - Pricing & Revenue Analytics

Credit(s): 3 Credits

All businesses face operational and pricing challenges including: how to configure and operate their supply chain, how to allocate products to sales channels and outlets, and how to price their products over time to different market segments. The ultimate goal is to match demand with supply. This course looks at the operations management challenges faced by companies and supply chains in various industries through business cases and analytics exercises. This course focuses on incorporating data-driven decision making into companies’ complex pricing decision processes. (Offered in Fall)

Prerequisite(s): OPM 5020 with a grade of C or higher

OPM 6800 - Prescriptive Analytics

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The purpose of the course is to provide an in-depth treatment of quantitative techniques that are useful for data analysis and management decision-making. The main topics of the course are optimization methods, advanced regression techniques, advanced time series analysis and some basic techniques in data mining. The emphasis of the course is on the practical application of analytical techniques to problems from different functional areas of business. Example applications include marketing research, sports analytics, supply chain procurement, and financial portfolio selection.

OPM 6811 - Supply Chain Consulting

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This consulting course provides students a real-world opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills garnered throughout the MSSCM program. Various organizations have partnered with the Business School to work with supply chain related problems that these organizations are currently facing. In these organizations, students’ teams will work one day per week over the course of a semester. A typical team consists of six to eight students paired with one faculty team facilitator and a research assistant. Students would require operational and supply chain skills and other soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communications. Under the supervision of a faculty member, student groups will develop potential solutions to a given organizational problem. At the end of each semester the team will be required to author a report detailing their work and make a formal presentation summarizing that report.

OPM 6930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

OPM 6980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)