Course outline for ITMFG 161 & ITEDU 403 for Spring Semester 2008


Dr. Richard D. Seymour
Associate Professor

Dept. of Technology
Applied Technology Bldg.  Room 217
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306-0255   U.S.A.
Phone 765-285-5652
FAX 765-285-2162
E-mail: rseymour@bsu.edu
 
Course Title: ITMFG 161 - Introduction to Manufacturing Industries
ITEDU 403 - Technology Enterprise
Prerequisite:  N/A
Description:  Introduces students to the managed activities used to design, engineer, produce, and market products with additional emphasis on providing financial and personnel support for these activities. 
Note: The specific syllabus will be distributed during class.
Introduction: Public schools and universities often ignore the technological and industrial sectors.  Students typically learn little about the dynamic enterprises and modern technologies that drive our global economy.  Perhaps the late Ernest Boyer, former President of the Carnegie Foundation, best explained the importance of understanding the modern industrial sector when he noted that our changing society is being “driven by the technology revolution that is as fully important as the industrial revolution over 100 years ago”.
This course has been designed to reflect the dynamics of manufacturing enterprises.  During the course, students will have the opportunity to participate in transforming a designer's idea into a marketable product during a mock corporate activity.  The emphasis of the course is placed on an understanding of the major activities of research and development, production, marketing, financial affairs, and human relations along with the entrepreneurial spirit required to succeed in today's global marketplace.
Resources:  ITMFG 161 / Amrine, Ritchey, Moodie, & Kmec.  (1993). Manufacturing Organization and Management (6th Ed.).  Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
ITEDU 403 / Wright.  (2004) Manufacturing & Automation Technology. Tinley Park, IL: Goodheart-Willcox, Publishers.
Note: A calculator is used during many class and laboratory activities.
Key Topics:  Introduction to Manufacturing Industries
International Competitiveness
Levels of Managed Authority
Industrial Research & Development
Economic Justification of Products / Systems
Manufacturing Engineering
Quality Control / Assurance
Market Research
Advertising
Sales
Product Distribution
Corporate Finance / Financial Control
Purchasing
Industrial (Human) Relations
Public Relations
Labor Union Organizations
Line Production
Corporate Management
Instructional Strategy:  This course includes formal classroom presentations, laboratory assignments, and a “mock corporate” enterprise.  Students will have the opportunity to participate in both individual and group problem-solving activities, discussions, laboratory exercises, and a production run.  In addition, homework will be assigned throughout the course.
Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, each student should be able to:
1) Recognize the complexity of our industrial society.
2) Identify the organization of industries as related to personnel, materials, financial affairs, and manufacturing.
3) Review the constant changes occurring in modern industries in terms of labor, materials, and current manufacturing technologies.
4) Utilize various industrial tools, machines, and materials to develop quality products.
5) Identify, examine, and develop solutions for problems typical of manufacturing industries.
Evaluation:  Final scores will reflect efforts on various assignments following these percentages:
Attendance / Participation  5%
Research & Development Activities 15%
Homework 15%
Enterprise Assignments 35%
Midterm Examination 15%
Final Examination 15%
The semester grade will be determined by dividing the total points earned by the total points possible.  A letter grade will be assigned for the following:
92.5 - 100% A
90 - 92.4% A-
87.5 - 89.9% B+
82.5 - 87.4% B
80 - 82.4% B-
77.5 - 79.9% C+
72.5 - 77.4% C
70 - 72.4% C-
67.5 - 69.9% D+
62.5 - 67.4% D
60 - 62.4% D-
0 - 59.9% F
Course Evaluation:  Students are encouraged to evaluate this course at the end of the term by completing an standardized evaluation (conducted by the Office of Distance Education).  Feedback from the evaluation forms will be used to enhance the effectiveness of the instructor, content, and activities.
Student Needs:  If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements, please inform me as soon as possible (via e-mail or phone as necessary).
Schedule:  Tentative schedule for ITMFG 161 / ITEDU 403 - Spring Semester 2008
January 8, 2008
  Orientation to the course
  Evolution of manufacturing / production
January 15, 2008
  Introduction to manufacturing enterprises
  Research & development
  1st Planning Board assignment
  January 22, 2008
  Review 1st Planning Board assignments
  Organize 2nd Planning Board teams
January 29, 2008
  Production
  Marketing
February 5, 2008
  Financial Affairs
  Human Resources
  Labor Organizations
February 12, 2008
  2nd Planning Board presentations
  Review for midterm
February 19, 2008
  Midterm examination
February 26, 2008
  Company scheduling
March 4, 2008
  Company operations
March 11, 2008
  Spring break / No class
March 18, 2008
  Company operations
March 25, 2008
  Company operations
  Training "day"
April 1, 2008
  Production line
April 8, 2008
  Sales
  Course review
April 15, 2008
  Complete sales
  Course review
April 22, 2008
  Interviews
April 29, 2008
  Annual meeting
  Final examination