OIM - Operations and Information Management

DES3600 Design and Systems Thinking 
2 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits 

Over the past two decades, a combination of changes in political, technological, and cultural arenas have dramatically increases the need for companies, organizations, and individuals to innovate. In the future, generating and implementing new solutions, be they products, processes, or organizations, will require at the minimum two sets of skills. First, with many markets saturated with offerings exhibiting vast amounts of product variety, simply offering a new feature is unlikely to succeed. Instead, solutions that help their users accomplish their deep-seated goals will prevail. Consequently, a deep and detailed understanding of the underlying emotions and aspirations of the users that design thinking helps to develop, is sine-qua-non condition for success. Second, technological and political developments have made the world a much more interconnected place. People and devices today are much more connected than in the past. Similarly, many problems have grown in complexity, and require involvement and consideration of various stakeholder groups and how they might be affected. As a result, a systems understanding is the second required skill set. This course will introduce students to these two skill sets. 

Prerequisites: None

MOB3503 Operations for Entrepreneurs 
4 credit - general credit 

This elective course will examine the real-world operational challenges and execution risks associated with getting a venture started and building a start-up operation from scratch. The class will include case-discussions, a semester-long project and guest speakers. The course will provide students with a set of practical frameworks, decision-making techniques and business management tools that can be used in developing their operational processes and managing their operational resources in a start-up. During each session, the students will be exposed to a different operations-related concept which they will apply to their own start-up venture or to the operation of an existing local start-up in the semester-long project. We will consider the operational challenges experienced by start-up ventures in a variety of industries. Case studies and class discussions will explore operations topics which are unique to start-ups including: Operational Business Models; Start-up Operation Metrics; How to Find a Supplier/Operations Partner; Product/Service Outsourcing Mistakes; Challenges in Achieving Product/Service Quality Control; How to select a Product/Service Distribution Channel; Managing Start-up Inventory; Challenges in meeting Product/Service Demand; Handling Market Uncertainty and Supply Uncertainty; Importance of Operational Flexibility; Bootstrapping Operational Costs; Operational Scalability. Local entrepreneurs will serve as frequent guest speakers who can provide real-world insights on their own operational challenges, failures and success as they developed their ventures. This course is an approved elective for the Operations management concentration. 

Prerequisites: (SME2001 and SME2002) or permission of the instructor.

OIM2000 Digital Technology for Entrepreneurs

(Formerly Technology and Business Innovation)

4 Intermediate Management Credits

This course introduces Babson’s business students to foundational digital technology concepts, how this technology is used to capture, manage, and create value from data, and the significant role that technology and data play in new product, service, and process innovation.

Participants in the global workplace are increasingly expected to comfortably work with modern technology tools and data. Business leaders will further be expected to leverage the influx of new business models and opportunities as digital, physical, and biological spheres come together in exciting new ways. Related to these changes will be a continuous and ever-expanding deluge of data that needs to be managed, leveraged, and protected by all.

Being tech and data savvy will enable you to build stronger relationships with your customers, partners, and suppliers, and to increase your value in the workplace.

Prerequisites: FME1000

OIM2001 Technology Operations Management

4 Credits

This course focuses on the processes and management systems required for entrepreneurial leaders and managers to successfully test and actualize business strategy. To be effective, leaders must accurately interpret customer value through new product development & service system design.  They must create, manage and make investments to improve the conversion of resources into delivered value.  Ultimately a venture’s Operating Model must conform to the business’s objectives and tightly link all activities tailored to its strategy such that the intent and the actions achieve the desired results in an ethical and sustainable manner.

The structure of this course builds the critical thinking skills and introduces the managerial methods needed to become entrepreneurial leaders and managers in all operating environments, independent of industry or scope. Students will discover how the design of operations impacts measured performance and affects customer satisfaction.  The course further instructs how the digital modeling of expected results before action is taken leads to improved operational decisions.

Managing operations is vital to every type of organization, for it is only through effective and efficient utilization of resources that an organization can be successful in the long run. This is especially true in a globally-networked economy, when we see that significant competitive advantages accrue to those firms that manage their operations effectively. We define operations in the broadest sense, not confining the focus within the boundaries of the firm but defining the scope to the intentions and activities considered in the supply of goods and services from their conception to their consumption.

In the classroom, students will have case-based learning and hands-on experience to apply operating theories and managerial tools to make well-informed decisions. Students engage in project & group activity and assessment to help supplement individual learning throughout this course.

Prerequisites: FME1000

OIM2645 Modeling with Excel
2 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

Today's employment market requires students to have good Excel modeling skills. Potential employees want newly minted graduates to hit the ground running, and this means knowing how to skillfully operate with Spreadsheets. This class will teach intermediate Excel skills using real case studies and hands-on exercises. In particular, you will learn how to use Excel to manage large data sets by using functions like Pivot tables, Vlookup and others. 

Prerequisites: None

OIM3501 Health Systems Innovation Lab
4 Advanced Management Credits

Global Health Innovation Lab is a learning-by-doing course where student teams are paired with students from universities around the world to identify and solve problems related to the development and implementation of health innovations in low- and middle-income settings. For our first offering of the course, students will be paired with medical students from the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda. Students will be assigned to a high priority project challenge from a healthcare-related organization in Rwanda. Based on the challenge presented by the organization, students will follow the design thinking process, paired with approaches from healthcare management and entrepreneurship, medical anthropology and sociology, and information technology to prototype and test solutions that address organizational challenges. Organizational challenges may relate to care delivery services or technologies needed within clinic settings or in the community. The students will be expected to interact with the partner organizations regularly to make progress. Students will be connected with alumni or other experts as they need additional project support. Student teams are assessed based on their teamwork, project progress, and completion of course readings and activities. Students will have the opportunity to share their projects with the broader global health community through the Healey Center for Global Healthcare Entrepreneurship at Babson.

Prerequisites: (FME1000 and FME1001) or (EPS1000 and MOB1010)

OIM3503 Operations for Entrepreneurs
4 Advanced Management Credits  

This elective course will examine the real-world operational challenges and execution risks associated with getting a venture started and building a start-up operation from scratch.  The class will include case-discussions, a semester-long project and guest speakers.  The course will provide students with a set of practical frameworks, decision-making techniques and business management tools that can be used in developing their operational processes and managing their operational resources in a start-up.  During each session, the students will be exposed to a different operations-related concept which they will apply to their own start-up venture or to the operation of an existing local start-up in the semester-long project.

We will consider the operational challenges experienced by start-up ventures in a variety of industries.  Case studies and class discussions will explore operations topics which are unique to start-ups including:   Operational Business Models; Start-up Operation Metrics; How to Find a Supplier/Operations Partner; Product/Service Outsourcing Mistakes; Challenges in Achieving Product/Service Quality Control; How to select a Product/Service Distribution Channel; Managing Start-up Inventory; Challenges in meeting Product/Service Demand; Handling Market Uncertainty and Supply Uncertainty; Importance of Operational Flexibility; Bootstrapping Operational Costs; Operational Scalability.

Local entrepreneurs will serve as frequent guest speakers who can provide real-world insights on their own operational challenges, failures and success as they developed their ventures. 

This course is an approved elective for the Operations management concentration.

Prerequisites: (SME2001 and SME2002) or permission of the instructor.

OIM3504 Social Innovation Design Studio: Innovating for the Future of Business and Society

4 Advanced Management Credits

This experiential studio course offers students a unique opportunity to integrate entrepreneurial leadership with social design and learn by doing as they create and implement solutions to some of the world’s pressing challenges — in partnership with innovative client sponsors. Students work collaboratively in teams supported by faculty, mentors, lecturers and their own self-initiated research. Three sections guide learners through the process of self-discovery, understanding the landscape and potential of social design in business, and hands-on application of the process to a real-world challenge. The mindsets, skillsets and processes mastered will serve students in creating the future they want throughout their lives. 

Prerequisites: (FME 1000 and FME1001) or (EPS1000 and MOB1010)

OIM3508 Foundations of Project Management
2 Advanced Management Credits

This course is an approved elective for the Operations Management concentration.

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), there are nearly 250,000 open project management jobs each year across seven project-intensive industries: business services, construction, finance and insurance, information services, manufacturing, oil and gas, and utilities.  As more work becomes project-based, projects grow in complexity, and clients demand accountability and efficiency, graduates with project management skills will be in increasingly high demand. In this course, you will learn foundational skills for leading cross functional teams using up-to-date PM best practices, methodologies, and tools. This course is applicable across career paths such as consulting, information technology, entrepreneurship, new product development and many others. Students will be exposed to both the technical and behavioral skills required to effectively lead project teams -- whether as an official “Project Manager” or an unofficial leader temporarily charged with leading a project implementation.

Foundations of Project Management focuses on what is often referred to as the traditional or “waterfall” approach to project management.  Taught primarily via case study discussion, course content is consistent with PMP (Project Management Professional) certification principles. CIO magazine ranked the PMP as the top project management certification, as it demonstrates candidates have the specific skills and experience employers seek.  This course satisfies 22 of the 23 educational hours required by PMI to apply for the junior-level PMP certification exam (known as the CAPM); the other hour was satisfied by the PM-related content in the SME prerequisites (below).

Foundations of Project Management makes an attractive future pairing with the “Foundations of Agile” course offering.

Prerequisites: SME2001 and SME2002 and SME2011 and SME2012

OIM3509 Project Management
4 General Credits

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), there are nearly 250,000 open project management jobs each year across seven project-intensive industries: business services, construction, finance and insurance, information services, manufacturing, oil and gas, and utilities.  As more work becomes project-based, projects grow in complexity, and clients demand accountability and efficiency, graduates with project management skills will be in increasingly high demand. In this course, you will learn critical skills for leading cross functional teams using up-to-date PM best practices, methodologies, and tools. This course is applicable across career paths such as consulting, information technology, entrepreneurship, new product development and many others. Students will be exposed to both the technical and behavioral skills required to effectively lead project teams -- whether as an official “Project Manager” or an unofficial leader temporarily charged with leading a project implementation.  The course will be taught primarily via case study discussion, with a significant “hands-on” component that includes the authoring of key project plan documents and a solid exposure to Microsoft Project.  At the conclusion of this course, students will have satisfied PMI’s educational requirements to apply for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam. This course is an approved elective for the Operations Management concentration.

Prerequisites: (SME2001 or ACC2002) and (SME2002 or OIM2001) and (SME2011 or MKT2000) and SME2012 or OIM2000) or permission of the instructor.

OIM3517 Design Thinking and Problem Solving for Business Impact

4 Advanced Management Credits

This course enables you to work directly with the senior management at Blount Fine Foods.

Blount Fine Foods is a family-owned and operated manufacturer, marketer, and developer of fresh prepared foods. While best known for soup, the company produces hundreds of premium prepared food products for restaurants, retailers, and club stores nationwide.

Students will have the opportunity to work on new product development across the company. Examples of current product lines include the preparation and delivery of prepackaged food items such as: soups, meal bowls, side dishes, and mac & cheese. The course content will include expanding student knowledge on product lines, capabilities, pricing, consumer preferences as well as their go to market strategy.  It is ideal for any students wanting to develop their consulting skills in product development, technology, operations, and management.

Skills learned include tactical approaches (such as project management) and business problem solving models as well as strategic tools and processes (design thinking and competitive assessments). This innovative, action-learning course gives you the opportunity to work with senior leaders at a very successful company using the newest Design Thinking and Problem-Solving methods.  There will be a pitch competition at the end of the course.

Prerequisites: FME1000 and FME1001 or EPS1000 and MOB1010

OIM3519 Simulation Modeling in Operations Management
4 Advanced Management Credits 

This course exposes students to simulation modeling techniques of various operational challenges. Simulations imitate realistic business environment and enable participants to explore the impact of their operational decisions. Decision making in simulation models enables decision makers to evaluate alternative decisions, before the changes are implemented in actual operations and prevents potentially costly mistakes. The real value of simulations is actually revealed after the decision is made, which is the critical component of this course. 

In this course, students will first identify a problem, collect or analyze the data, formulate and validate the simulation model, and finally simulate alternative outcomes to recommend the appropriate decision. Once the decision is implemented in the model, the future condition of the business environment is randomly changed, and impact of the decision is analyzed and re-assessed. The analysis will use simulation model to evaluate and predict impact of the decision making on profit, society and environment, combined with regulatory and ethical considerations.

The course is composed of four independent simulation building modules, and a final project. Students will work in groups and individually to create four guided simulation models. Final project is a semester-long activity where students will have the opportunity to build simulation model in the field of their interest or chose from a list of topics proposed by Babson community. During the semester, students will spend approximately equal amount of time on advanced data analytics and operations management topics. The underlying principle of the course is to learn by experience, learn practical model building skills, and emphasis on the analysis of the simulation results, and the impact of various decision alternatives.

Prerequisites: (QTM1000 or AQM1000) and (SME2002 or OIM2001)

OIM3522 Sustainable Operations and Innovation 
4 Advanced Management Credits

The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of the concept of sustainability thinking and the practical process of sustainability-oriented innovations. Sustainability thinking challenges entrepreneurial leaders to enable the transition to a sustainable economic system, by identifying business opportunities and leading transformation of business culture. Students will learn about the systemic view of sustainability on how organizations can create social value while simultaneously delivering realistic economic returns: repurpose, stakeholder involvement, design & implementation of innovations and metrics development. Students will develop practical knowledge and skillset from design thinking and systems thinking as integral disciplines to manage human, financial, and other resources in innovations that transform businesses. Our goal is to provide the basis for a common language and understanding of the intersection between environmental/social issues and sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship, business strategy, and organizational culture. Ultimately, students will develop their understanding of how to lead the transformation of a conventional business into a sustainable business. 

The course is composed of four parts. The first part will give students an overview of the sustainability thinking and allied strategy and the tools for designing the process through which it happens: what dimensions and questions might be considered to evaluate and guide sustainability. Having identified both the challenges and tools associated with sustainability, the second part will make the case for making a product or service sustainable. The third part will shift the discussion to making an organization sustainable and characteristics of sustainability leaders. Finally, the fourth part will reflect on making your life sustainable. Students will explore how to apply ideas from the course to a more sustainable way of living. 

Prerequisites: (SME2002 or OIM2001) or SUS1201

OIM3525 Enterprise 2.0: Building Social Networks to Improve Business Performance
4 Advanced Management Credits

Enterprise 2.0 is the term to describe organizations that use social media technologies (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), strategies, and business practices that enable emergent collaboration. Many organizations are now interested in capturing, distributing and applying the knowledge of their employees for business benefit. Also, companies need to keep track of knowledge outside of their corporate walls, for example, understanding market trends and being aware of what customers are saying about their products. Ultimately, the goal of Enterprise 2.0 is to break down traditional information silos and allow employees and managers to tap into the right people and expertise when they need it. 

In this course we will discuss the current state of the Enterprise 2.0 movement. We will also explore how social collaboration tools (often referred to as social media and Web 2.0) are being used by organizations to leverage the "wisdom of the crowds." Organizations are increasingly using tools such as blogs, wikis, social tagging, and social networking tools to achieve emergent collaboration and to break down information silos. Knowledge workers are also using social technologies to build their personal brand and personal network. 

Student projects will emphasize a “hands-on” approach to understanding the latest social technologies. We will use social network analysis (SNA) software, a methodology to analyze the structure of social networks, or the people-to-people connections in organizations. SNA is an increasingly popular application used by both management consultants and internal organizational practices (e.g., knowledge management, IS, HR, R&D) to understand information flows and “influencers” inside and outside a company. Another project will have students create a social media campaign for an organization, including providing metrics on how to evaluate the success of the campaign. We will also experiment with mobile applications, such as location-based services (e.g., Foursquare, SCVNGR) on smartphones.

Prerequisites: FME1000 & FME1001

OIM3536 Scaling Lean Ventures
4 Advanced Management Credits

How do you enable an organization to overcome the constraints and risks posed by the nascent & uncertain operating environment found in an entrepreneurial venture?  Scaling Lean Ventures is a capstone course for Operations concentrators and elective course for others targeted to 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students with an interest in strategic operations in small to medium sized organizations. 
    
The approach to the course is driven by Lean Principles of Management including “learn by doing”. The well-studied Toyota Production System serves us as the root file for many of these principles.  Students will be assigned to a high priority project with an organization and will be expected to conceive & implement Lean Start-up principles to relieve the organization of a deeply embedded operating constraint on growth. This is not a consulting experience, but a learn-by-doing partnership for fourteen weeks.  The students will be expected to be on site with the partner organizations regularly to make implementation progress. 

    
In addition to their on-site time, the course will have an in-class component. During each in-class session, the students will be exposed to a new TPS concept and discuss how to implement it at their project. The students will also provide and receive feedback from their peers, instructors, and guest lecturers to gain insights on their implementation attempts to-date, thus better understanding their assigned problem and charting a path forward to success. 
    
The partner organizations are from a wide variety of industries, including technology, consumer products, food, legal services, and socially-oriented manufacturing and service companies.
                  
Prerequisites: FME and SME ; Juniors and Seniors status

OIM3545 Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
4 Credits

This course is about how organizations, and their employees can successfully collect, evaluate and apply information to become better decision makers. It starts with basic concepts regarding business data needs and ends with hands-on experience using Business Intelligence (BI) tools. It takes a variety of experts to start and run a business – financial, operational, marketing, accounting, human relations, managerial, etc. Each knowledge base requires up-to-date information to plot strategy or keep it on track. Our ability to capture large volumes of data often outstrips our ability to evaluate and apply the data as management information. These are the challenges we will address in this course so that you can become an intelligent gatherer and user of data in your chosen field. 

Prerequisites: SME2012 or OIM2000

OIM3560 Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies 
4 Advanced Management Credits

This course is about an exciting new technology called the blockchain. The blockchain is the technology behind bitcoin and other forms of digital cash. In this course, you will learn about the algorithms and protocols that enable blockchain creation, the theory behind and the potential of cryptocurrencies, how blockchains are used to enforce smart contracts, and how many other blockchain applications work. 

Prerequisites: None

OIM3565 Agile Experimentation
4 Advanced Management Credits 

Business leaders and entrepreneurs should be Agile digital experimenters, capable of innovating by combining available technologies and services into digital experiences. In this course, students will learn about Agile digital entrepreneurship and follow an Agile methodology to conceive and create an internet of things (IoT) solution with a clear value proposition. 

Agile Experimentation (AgileEx) is an experiential course in which teams of students use agile methodologies to design and prototype viable innovations combining hardware and software elements. The course involves:
• Practicing Agile project management methodologies and software, and learning how to scale Agile environments from small startups to large organizations
• Designing and building IoT devices with sensors and actuators, and programming hardware (i.e., Arduino microcontrollers) 
• Designing digital interfaces (e.g., interactions, app mockups, information flows) with software tools
• Running experiments and surveying customers to test hypotheses and improve the prototype
• Building an innovation that is a feasible and responsible market solution
• Presenting your work in a final pitch that showcases your prototype and its market viability
• Learning about emerging technologies

The course aims to train business graduates who are confident life-long learners of technology, can work in Agile environments, and can participate in the development of innovative and responsible technological solutions.

Prerequisites: SME2012

OIM3573 Supply Chain Management
4 Advanced Management Credits

Supply chain management (SCM) is an integrated approach to managing the flow of goods/services, information and financials from the raw materials to the consumer (throughout the supply chain) to satisfy customers' expectations and achieve profitability. Demand Chain management (DCM) takes a more customer focused approach to SCM. This course is designed to provide undergraduate students with an integrated perspective of SCM & DCM to develop the capability to analyze current supply chain operations, to reconfigure the structure of supply chain, and to develop competitive supply chains. Students will identify major barrier to effective supply and demand chain management, recognize best practices in supply and demand chain management, and assess the effect of advanced technologies on supply chain implementation.

Prerequisites: (SME2001 or ACC2002) and (SME2002 or OIM2001)

OIM3578 Integrated Product Design 
4 Advanced Management Credits

You will work with industrial design students from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (in Boston) and engineering students from Olin College of Engineering to develop new products through projects that are student-generated. Students learn first-hand about the techniques and contributions different disciplines bring to product design and practice collaboration common in professional design settings. This course provides valuable multidisciplinary preparation for students interested to work in innovation projects in established firms or develop and launch their own consumer products. Class will be held once a week and rotate between all three campuses.

Interested Wellesley students should cross-register in this course at Olin under ENGR3250.

Prerequisites: (SME2001 and SME2002) and EPS4515 or EPS4527 or DES3600

Students must have completed ONE (1) of the following courses. 

Students who have completed a course from Olin College, from the prerequisite course list, must contact the Registrar for a Pre-Requisite Waiver.  

ENGR 2250 (Olin College) User-oriented Collaborative Design 
ENGR 1200 (Olin College) Design Nature 
ENGR 2199 (Olin College) Engineering for Humanity 
ENGR 3220 (Olin College) Human Factors and Interface Design

OIM3580 Artificial Intelligence in Business
4 Advanced Management Credits

This elective is intended to introduce you to a variety of different types of artificial intelligence and to many of the issues involved in their business application. We will cover a variety of AI tools, from machine learning to natural language processing to “deep learning.” We will learn about both the functions performed by these technologies and the business issues they generate - including the roles to be performed by humans in organizations of the future.

Some introductory material is provided by online videos on AI in general. We will have several external experts as guest speakers during sessions. No programming or detailed technology background is required, although you should be interested in new technology and will need to study materials about how AI works.

The objective is to equip you to be a manager or professional who makes use of this technology, not a developer of it—or a translator of business requirements to professional data scientists. The course is also intended to encourage some students to go on for more technical training in AI. Specific learning objectives are listed for each session.

Prerequisites: SME2012

OIM3600 Computer Science for Business Students

4 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

This course, Introduction to Computer Science for Business Students, is designed for business students who are interested in learning about the fundamental concepts of computer science. The course covers a wide range of topics including hardware, the internet, programming in Scratch and Python, basic algorithms, web development using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, SQL, and Flask. In addition, the course also covers important concepts in cybersecurity. Throughout the course, students will work on multiple projects including a final capstone project that integrates and applies the knowledge and skills learned in the previous sessions. Group work and projects are significant elements of the course, as students will have the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other in a team setting. By the end of the course, students should have a strong foundation in computer science and be able to apply these concepts in a business context.

Prerequisites: None

OIM3610 The Mobile App
2 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

Have you ever considered building a mobile app as an entrepreneurial venture or for a firm you hope to work for? Do you have an app in process that you would like to make stronger? Are you interested in honing your skills in design thinking, agile methodology and other modern-day approaches to project management and development? Do you want to better understand what it takes to successfully move an application from idea to market? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this course is for you!*

This project-based course will guide you and your team through the process of producing a strong app idea, assessing the feasibility and viability of that idea, prototyping your app, building a requirements list to hand off to development, entering into a successful development relationship, packaging your app for commercial distribution and marketing your app.

During each session, you will learn about your next project step. You will then apply the learnings both inside and outside of class to advance your project.

You will begin your project with a design thinking exercise. You will then move through your project applying agile principles. We conclude the course with “app pitches” to outside experts who will give you professional feedback on your idea.

*Note: This is not a coding class. Instead, student teams will create app mock-ups in preparation for development and then learn how to form and manage successful development relationships.

Prerequisites: SME2012 or OIM2000

***This course will take place for 4 1/2 days over Spring Break. Exact days and times TBA***

OIM3615 Creating Tech-Savvy Entrepreneurs: A Tech Entrepreneurship Boot Camp
2 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

The objective of this boot camp is to create an environment for entrepreneurs learn about the role of technology in entrepreneurial endeavors. The role of technology, specifically, information technology, in the context of entrepreneurship is two-fold. On one side, technology is necessary for the management and execution of the venture. On the other hand, technology may be the very focus of the entrepreneurial venture. For both cases, we believe that entrepreneurs need exposure to the foundational concepts of building a technology product. The boot camp is hence designed to cover such foundation concepts including design thinking, agile management, and code development. The boot camp will help entrepreneurs develop an appreciation for these foundational concepts as well as understand how to leverage these concepts for entrepreneurial success. 

Prerequisites: None

OIM3620 Cybersecurity
4 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

Teaches students the relevance of purpose to and means behind establishing higher security levels for computers and associated networks.  The nature of various security breaches including hacker attacks, email worms and computer viruses are explored. Management's responses including policy and procedure creation, risk management assessment and personnel training program design among others are examined.  The tools of both security violators and protectors are explored.  This course probes deeply into technical aspects of the hardware and software required to support computer networks.  The course uses a combination of readings, case studies, class discussion and guest speakers for learning.

Prerequisites: (SME2012 or OIM2000) and (QTM1000 or AQM1000)

OIM3635 UI/UX Design for Web and App Development
2 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

OIM3635 takes a deep dive into user interface design for web-based projects, apps and sites.  Students will learn the key aspects of what makes a solid and usable interface on the desktop, a tablet and a mobile device.  This course will explore advanced techniques in cascading style sheets (CSS), as well as leverage JavaScript libraries such as jQuery.  As part of the course, students will learn about the principles of design, how they relate to solid interface design, and the importance of the UI as it relates to generating and maintaining your business. The course will also introduce the concepts and tools to make working prototypes and wireframes using tools like Balsamiq and Lucidchart.  This course will underscore the importance of UI for all types of web-based projects, looking at theory as well as taking a hands-on approach.  It is designed for those that are interested in taking web-based projects to the next level as well as those that are interested in how the choices you make as a designer can affect your business.

Prerequisites: MIS3690 or MIS3640

OIM3640 Problem Solving & Software Design
4 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

Teaches students assorted techniques and strategies to identify, approach and solve problems in business and personal areas. Students learn how to write computer programs to offer efficient solutions for certain types of problems using a computer programming language of the instructor’s choice (currently Python). Students complete a capstone project to demonstrate their learning, create something of value, and add to their personal portfolio. This course emphasizes hands-on computer skill development in a computer lab setting. The examples and problems used in this course are drawn from diverse areas such as text processing, webpage scraping, web development and data analytics.

Prerequisites: (QTM1000 or AQM1000) and (SME2012 or OIM2000)

Students are expected to be able to open command prompt window or terminal window, edit a text file, download and install software, and understand basic programming concepts.

OIM3650 UI/UX Design for Web and App Development

4 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

If you want to become a designer, or if you want to improve your coding and development skills, this course is for you. You will learn how to use Figma and other tools to prototype your designs and experiment with AI to boost your productivity. You will also learn how to make better decisions for your websites, mobile apps, and more. OIM3650 is a 14-week course that focuses on user interface design for web-based projects, apps, and sites. You will learn how to design responsive and user-friendly interfaces using advanced CSS techniques and JavaScript frameworks and libraries such as Bootstrap. You will also learn about the key principles of design that guide good interface design, the role of UI in your business success, and the difference between user interface design and user experience (UX). You will gain hands-on experience using tools like Photoshop and Adobe XD to create wireframes and prototypes and take a deep dive into how to use Figma for prototyping. You will also try the latest AI methods for rapid prototyping. This course will teach you both theory and practice of UI for all kinds of web-based projects. It is suitable for those who want to understand how design choices affect their business, and those who want to enhance their web-based projects.

For more information about this course, please review this video: https://babson.instructuremedia.com/embed/693ca0f0-1836-4477-9e57-1acb9c65dc62 

Prerequisite: OIM3690  or experience in HTML and CSS

OIM3690 Web Technologies

4 Advanced Liberal Arts Elective Credits 

OIM3690 introduces students to web site development. Students will learn general design and programming skills essential for web site development. Students will explore core web technologies for web design and development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The course will use artificial intelligence (A.I.) to introduce coding HTML pages, enhance them with CSS, and further expand on them, ensuring students truly grasp the languages. Additionally, students will delve into modern JavaScript libraries such as jQuery and Bootstrap to create responsive and dynamic web pages. 

Some related design concepts are also discussed, along with aspects concerning design methodology and project management. As part of the course requirements, each student will publish a website to a hosting service. The primary editor used in this course will be Visual Studio Code, complemented by various text editors and graphics design editors. This course emphasizes hands-on computer skill development in a computer lab setting. 

Prerequisites: SME2012 or OIM2000

OIM4520 Leading Innovation: At Gorillas, Chimps and Monkeys

(Formerly Innovation Dynamics & Disruption)
2 Advanced Management Credits

IBM was the largest firm (a Gorilla) in the mainframe computer industry. However, a startup (a Monkey) called Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) came and displaced IBM in the next generation of products called mini-computers. Then, another Monkey called Apple created an entirely new personal computer industry. IBM, the Gorilla, was fast becoming obsolete. Yet, IBM avoided disruption by also entering the PC industry in 1981 and then dominating it. However, by the early 1990s, many more Monkeys and Gorillas - Compaq, Dell, HP, and others - entered the PC industry with lower prices and more profitable business models. In 1993, IBM posted the then-biggest loss in history of corporate America - $8 billion. The game between Gorillas, Chimps and Monkeys is never ending and the dynamics of competition and innovation between them changes the world that we live in. This course goes deep into: (1) How Monkeys can beat Gorillas. (2) How Gorillas will fight back. (3) How Chimps can succeed in the middle. (4) How entrepreneurial leaders navigate uncertainty and lead change. (5) How innovation can change the dynamics of competition.

Prerequisites: None

The sophomore management experience MAC and TOM module (SME) integrates two subject streams: Technology and Operations Management (3 credits) and Managerial Accounting (3 credits). This module focuses on the internal organization and processes required for entrepreneurial leaders and managers to successfully test and execute business strategies. To be effective, entrepreneurs and managers must design operations, model the expected performance of operational designs, make decisions that strategically manage costs, and take actions that achieve desired results in an ethical manner. The two streams in this module will help build the skills you need to become ethical entrepreneurial leaders and managers. You will experience how the design of operations impacts measured performance, and how modeling expected results before action is taken leads to improved operational decisions. SME will also provide learning experiences that demonstrate the interconnections between the streams.

SME2002 Managing Operations

3 Intermediate Management Credits

Managing operations is vital to every type of organization, for it is only through effective and efficient utilization of resources that an organization can be successful in the long run. This is especially true today, when we see that significant competitive advantages accrue to those firms that manage their operations effectively. We define operations in the broadest sense, not confining the focus within a set of walls but defining the scope to the thoughts and activities necessary to supply goods and services from their conception to their consumption. This course introduces you to the operational challenges that entrepreneurs and managers face and provides a set of tools to aid you in designing, evaluating and managing business processes to meet your organization’s objectives. Throughout the semester we will explore interconnections between operational actions and management accounting analyses.

Prerequisites: FME1001 or equivalent

SME2012 Managing Information Technology and Systems
3 Intermediate Management Credits

Description: Managing Information Technology and Systems (MITS), part of the second year management curriculum, is designed to introduce students to the foundational concepts in Information Technology and Systems (ITS) and their application in managing innovation, ITS infrastructure, and organizational partners (suppliers/customers) in the context of a medium/large business. The course will integrate primarily with Marketing and Operations using common/linked cases and joint exercises. The pre-requisites for the course is FME (Foundation of Management and Entrepreneurship).

Prerequisites: FME1000