Management Science
Qualifications
Arts: BA, CertArts
Commerce: BCom, BCom(Hons), MCom, PhD
Science: BSc, CertSc, BSc(Hons), PGDipSc, MSc, PhD, GradDipSc
Note: for the BCom this major is named Management Science and Operations Management
Introduction
Management Science seeks to improve a problem situation by supplying decision makers with information and insights gained through problem analysis, often involving mathematical models and computers.
A fundamental part of Management Science is the 'systems approach' to problem solving which takes into account both the context and the details of the problem. Defining a problem, collecting data, consulting with people involved in the solution and implementing change are all part of a systems approach to problem solving.
At UC, there are two streams within Management Science: Operations Management and Operations Research.
Operations Management
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 many organisations and operational managers control more than 70% of organisational resources (people, money, materials and buildings) used in manufacturing or in providing services. To be competitive in global markets it is important that these resources are used efficiently and effectively.
To do this requires the kinds of skills and knowledge provided by Operations Management courses. Courses focus 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 development and finance.
Operations Management is considered beneficial for students who study disciplines such as Marketing, Human Resource Management, Finance and Engineering. This broadens their education and enhances their prospect of progress in subsequent careers.
Operations Research
Operations Research uses mathematics and computer science to solve problems. Mathematical methods are applied to planning and management problems in areas such as production and operations, inventory management and scheduling.
Techniques, often using powerful computer programs, are available to solve a wide range of problems, from real-time control of specific business, industrial, agricultural and administrative operations, to long-term planning models for corporations and public sector agencies.
Students in other disciplines often find it valuable to include some Operations Research courses in their degree programme because exposure to Operations Research has become an assumed part of the training of accountants, computer specialists and engineers.
Recommended background
For Operations Management proficiency in statistics and modelling up to NCEA Level 3 is desirable.
For Operations Research you should be comfortable with and proficient in mathematics, particularly statistics. This can be gained through NCEA Level 3 mathematics with calculus and statistics and modelling.
Management Science students should also have an interest in solving problems for people and good communication skills. To specialise in this field some concurrent study in Economics, Accounting and Computer Science is highly desirable.
100-level courses
To major in Management Science for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science you are required to complete:
- MSCI 101 Management Science and
- MSCI 110 Quantitative Methods for Business or STAT 101 Statistics 1.
MGMT 100 Fundamentals of Management, ECON 104 Introduction to Microeconomics and ECON 105 Introduction to Macroeconomics are recommended. It is recommended that you include 15 or 30 points of 100-level Mathematics in your course of study for the Management Science major.
The first-year, 100-level courses required to complete a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Management Science and Operations Management are:
- ACCT 102 Accounting and Financial Information
- ECON 104 Introduction to Microeconomics or ECON 105 Introduction to Macroeconomics or ECON 199 (a STAR course for secondary school students)
- INFO 123 Information Systems and Technology
- MGMT 100 Fundamentals of Management
- MSCI 101 Management Science
- MSCI 110 Quantitative Methods for Business or STAT 101 Statistics 1
- Plus 30 points from 100-level Commerce or any other UC courses.
It is recommended that you include 15 or 30 points of 100-level Mathematics in your course of study for the Management Science and Operations Management major.
MATH 102 Mathematics 1A and MATH 103 Mathematics 1B are recommended for students planning to do honours in Operations Research.
For the complete, three-year BCom Management Science and Operations Management major degree plan see the College of Business and Economics website.
200-level and beyond
There is a wide range of Management Science courses at 200 and 300-level that allow you to vary the flavour of your degree from pure operations research to the more applied production and operations management areas.
Further study
Many students specialising in Management Science choose to continue to a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours, which usually takes one additional year, or a Bachelor of Science with Honours. The Master of Commerce and Master of Science degrees are based on a one-year research thesis following the honours course. A number of students also progress to doctoral (PhD) study.
Career opportunities
Every organisation, whether a company or a not-for-profit organisation, has some operations function to it, so the skills learnt in Management Science courses are widely applicable. Graduates are usually employed by manufacturing companies, management consultancies, transport companies, telecommunications service providers, the energy sector and state-owned enterprises and many rise to senior management levels.
Students in other disciplines often find it valuable to include some Management Science courses in their degree programme, as exposure to Management Science has become an assumed part of the training of quantitative social scientists as well as accountants, computer specialists and engineers.
Contact
Department of Management
Telephone: +64 3 364 2606
Email: enquiry@mang.canterbury.ac.nz