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

Fluency in Excel is expected for both internships and nearly every job function for Babson graduates. This course aims to turn novice Excel users into intermediate/advanced users. Students will learn the core principles of robust model construction, data analysis and visualization and Pivot Tables. The primary emphasis is on building models that are highly readable to facilitate collaboration. Along the way students are exposed to a wide ranging set of built-in functions including financial, logical, reference and statistical functions. In addition to functions students are exposed to a number of Excel tools such as Goal Seek, Data Tables for sensitivity analysis and Table, Pivot Table and Conditional formatting for data analysis.  You will master "clean modeling" techniques, such as using standardized cell coloring to clearly distinguish inputs from outputs, ensuring your work is professional and easily understood by collaborators.

The curriculum follows a rigorous, hands-on schedule that moves from basic modeling and logical functions to complex financial modeling. You will develop sophisticated realistic tools while being exposed to dozens of Excel's functions including SUMPRODUCT, XLOOKUP, INDEX, UNIQUE, PMT, FV, PV, NPV, SUMIFS and TEXT variations.

Prerequisites: None

OIM3501 Global Tech Innovation Lab
4 Advanced Management Credits

Global Tech 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 digital, biotech, and health innovations in low- and middle-income settings. For our second offering of the course, students will be paired with students from Unifacisa Educaçâo in Campina Grande, Brazil. Students are expected to travel to Brazil (tentative dates August 11-17, 2025). 

Students will be assigned to a high priority project challenge from a healthcare-related organization in Brazil. Based on the challenge presented by the organization, students will use a combination of quality improvement and value sensitive design approaches. Quality Improvement (QI) is an iterative, continuous approach to enhance “the ability of a product or service to consistently meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations.” Value Sensitive Design (VSD) is “a theoretically grounded approach to the design of technology that accounts for human values in a principled and comprehensive manner throughout the design process.” 

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.  

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)

OIM3505 Industrial AI Innovation

2 Advanced Elective Credits

This course explores the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and industrial operations, focusing on how AI-driven technologies are transforming manufacturing, heavy industry, infrastructure, and even space-based production. It delves into key concepts like digital manufacturing, automation, robotics, digital twins, augmented lean, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), the industrial metaverse, gigascale infrastructure, and Agentic AI, examining their practical applications and strategic implications, including industrial sustainability challenges. The course leverages Greater Boston's industrial technology ecosystem for site visits and experiential learning opportunities. A key element will be examining the "human-in-the-loop" aspects of industrial AI, recognizing the importance of human-machine collaboration. Students will also develop their own innovative applications of AI within an industrial context. As a whole, the course builds learning competencies in collaboration and entrepreneurial leadership, with an integrated sustainability perspective.

Prerequisites: None

OIM3507 Technology, Design and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Systems

4 Advanced Elective Credits

Net zero, decarbonization, climate resilience, and circular economy are becoming strategic imperatives for businesses to design their business models for climate change and social impact. Nordic economies such as Denmark are ahead of much of the rest of the world in transitioning to a sustainable economy via experimentation and scaling of sustainability-oriented technologies and design of sustainable economic systems for energy transition, carbon neutrality, sustainable production, circular waste management, net zero emissions, and equitable mobility and urban infrastructure. 

In Denmark a sustainable economic system is in progress, which is circular, unique, and aspirational. Danish economy operates with a harmonious and ethical relationship within socio-ecological systems. As we can learn from Danish and Nordic context, factoring in greenhouse gas emissions, waste, energy, materials into circular models requires novel applications of technology and design to create innovations at scale. We must also employ entrepreneurial thinking and action to build business models that are not only profitable but also acceptable for different agents in economy, society, and the environment. Danish companies are among global market leaders that are adapting to operate in sustainable economic systems and advance new economies like climate tech, circular economy.

In this course students will explore how technology, design, and entrepreneurship address challenges and opportunities in the design, development, and scaling of sustainable innovations from the perspective of systems thinking. They will gain knowledge and skills on fundamentals of systems analysis, finding strategic leverages, and circular innovation development and experimentation with Entrepreneurial Thought and Action® (ET&A) method. During the trip they will interact with business leaders engaged in sustainable transformation of key economic areas involving energy, life sciences, transportation, food, and industrial production. They will learn how these leaders have integrated sustainability in business strategy, tactics, and operations, and how they lead their organizations towards a sustainable future. Students will then apply their observations, learnings, and insights from their visit into creating entrepreneurial and sustainable business practices back in US.

Prior to leaving for Denmark, students will attend two required pre-departure class sessions. These sessions are designed to provide socio-economic and cultural background about Denmark and Nordic countries. We will discuss how an ecosystem of institutions, infrastructure, and markets could build a sustainable and circular system with a systems analysis. They will employ ET&A for ideation and experimentation for circular innovation. They will go over the organizations and the Kalundborg symbiosis that we will visit in Denmark. In Denmark They will also visit historical sites to observe the cultural elements and mental models that build sustainable systems. Lastly, but not least, they will explore the beautiful city of Copenhagen and experience life in a sustainable city closely.

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

Every great idea lives or dies by execution. Whether you’re launching a start-up, scaling a new product, or driving change inside a global company, the ability to lead projects is the difference between bold vision and real impact. And right now, the world is hungry for talent: According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), the world will need nearly 30 million new project management professionals by 2035 to keep pace across industries from consulting and tech to finance and construction.

This course puts you in the driver’s seat. You won’t just study project management, you’ll practice it! From day one, you’ll take on real-world challenges: scoping opportunities, negotiating with tough stakeholders, building schedules in Smartsheet, managing risks, and pitching solutions to executives. You’ll feel the pressure, navigate the conflicts, and see how emerging AI tools are changing the game.

By the end, you’ll walk away with a portfolio of deliverables, a playbook for leading teams, and the many of the credentials to pursue PMI’s CAPM certification. More importantly, you’ll leave knowing how to make projects happen, anywhere your career takes you.

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

OIM3510 Quality Systems, Design, Management and Applications

4 Advanced Elective Credits  

How do great organizations consistently deliver high quality? This course explores how quality is designed, measured, and improved using Total Quality Management (TQM), Lean, and Six Sigma. Students develop in-demand quality and continuous improvement skills while preparing for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification exam. Beyond theory, students analyze real processes, collect and interpret data, and work on real-world projects to apply continuous improvement methods to practical problems in business, healthcare, engineering, and service systems—building experience that directly translates to professional practice.

Prerequisites: OIM2001

OIM3517 AI Driven Design Thinking: From Insight to Impact

4 Advanced Management Credits

This experiential learning course enables you to work directly with the senior management at Edible Arrangements. Edible Arrangements combines food, gifting, and emotion. The company transformed fresh fruit into a distinctive, giftable experience. Today, Edible is a digitally enabled, franchise-driven system focused on speed, consistency, and scale.

Students will have the opportunity to work on new product development across the company. Examples of current opportunities for innovation include supply chains, technology, and product innovation. Student projects will examine how Edible Arrangements can evolve gifting through AI, using four structured pathways to deliver research insights, creative concepts, functional prototypes, and go-to-market strategies.

Skills learned include practical approaches (such as project management) and business problem solving models as well as implementing the most current Human Centered Design frameworks enabled by generative AI (GenAI), crafting actionable insights and recommendations for Edible Arrangements. (GenAI) tools such as Copilot, Chat GPT and Claude are integrated throughout the experience to deepen insight, enhance creativity, and accelerate learning. This innovative, action-learning course gives you the opportunity to work with senior leaders at a very successful company leveraging Design Thinking, Problem-Solving, and AI tools for business impact.  There will be a pitch competition at the end of the course.

For more information on this course click here for a video.

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 Computational Thinking with Python

4 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

This course is designed for business students who want to gain a strong foundation in computer science while learning how to think computationally to solve real-world problems. Emphasizing learning how to learn, the course focuses on developing the skills needed to acquire new programming knowledge independently and apply it effectively in business contexts.

Students will learn Python as the primary programming language and become familiar with Git and GitHub for version control and collaborative development. The course emphasizes computational thinking, problem-solving strategies, and the practical application of programming concepts rather than rote memorization of syntax.

Throughout the semester, students will engage in ungraded exercises, four progressively challenging graded labs culminating in an equity portfolio management system, six quizzes, and a final exam. Classroom participation is essential, as students will present solutions, discuss approaches, and collaborate to deepen their understanding.

By the end of the course, students will be proficient in Python and version control, and able to apply computational thinking and programming skills to analyze business problems, design solutions, and implement them effectively. This course prepares students to confidently tackle complex business challenges with a computational mindset.

Prerequisites: (FME 1000 or EPS 1000) and (FME 1001 or MOB 1010)

OIM 3601: Societal Impacts of AI

4 advanced credits

The AI and Societal Impact course is a foundational and non-technical course in AI. It

covers the foundations of AI and the different domains of society and business that AI

impacts. The course also describes the historical perspective of technology adoption and

compares it with the current trajectory of AI (viewed as a disruptive technology). The

course further delves into societal equity implications for AI, such as bias and

discrimination, its effect on jobs, wages, and skills, as well as accessibility and inclusion.

The last part of the course addresses the impact of AI on privacy and security. The

course concludes with a discussion on human-AI interactions and the design of AI-based

systems based on technological and ethical implications.

At the completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define key terms and differentiate between technological capabilities of AI and its

limitations.

• Identify the different domains and how AI may impact each domain.

• Understand the challenges in terms of AI’s impact on social equity and the future

of employment.

• Create a logical design of AI systems considering AI’s impact on media, culture, and its ethical use.

Prerequisites: OIM 2000

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 idea that you would like to develop further? 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 developing and honing a mobile application idea, assessing the feasibility and viability of that idea, prototyping your app, 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 get some feedback on your application.

Prerequisites: 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 Data Analytics with Python and AI
4 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits

This course introduces applied data analytics as a practical approach to business problem solving in the age of AI. Building on prior Python experience, students use Python and AI-assisted tools to explore data, test assumptions, and translate analytical results into business-relevant insights. The course emphasizes problem formulation, interpretation of outputs, and decision making, with particular attention to evaluating the reliability and limitations of AI-generated analyses. Through hands-on, project-based work, students learn when analytics can meaningfully inform business decisions and when human judgment, contextual knowledge, or caution is required, preparing them to be thoughtful and responsible users of data analytics in modern business environments.

Prerequisite: OIM 2000 and AQM 1000 and basic Python programming experience is preferred

OIM3641 AI Driven APP Development

4 Advanced Elective Credits

Overview:

This course is designed for ambitious business students and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in moving beyond basic concepts in programming to explore launching AI-driven products.  We treat Generative AI as a fundamental business tool, focusing on value creation and market delivery.  Instead of deep theoretical computer science, we concentrate on the practical architecture, the rapid prototyping process, and the critical steps needed to transition a working script into a robust, deployable, and scalable application.

You will learn to develop AI systems that deliver tangible business value, grounded in your in team derived proprietary ideas. By the end of this course, you will have a production-ready application and the skills to iterate and adapt it to market demand.

Concepts Covered Include:

Product Ideation

• Learn common frameworks for generating new product or feature ideas

• Use storyboarding techniques to explain your idea to an audience

• Learn how to use unified modeling language (UML) to clearly define, and keep your team talking about the same product

Vibe Coding for Rapid Prototyping

Every great AI product starts with a functional prototype. Vibe Coding enables entrepreneurs to start working with and iterating through versions of a product in hours or days instead of weeks or months. We focus on function-first development to quickly validate a product idea and gather early user feedback for refinement.

• Speed-to-Market: Focus on core functionality using streamlined Python code to dramatically accelerate your development cycles and minimize costs before market validation.

• Interactive Design: Use Streamlit—a powerful Python framework—to instantly turn data scripts and LLM outputs into professional grade, interactive web applications and dashboards, bypassing the need for complex front-end development.

Advanced Python Development

Building successful products requires more than just core LLM logic; it requires professional-grade development habits and tools.

• Explore the basics and rationale of Object Oriented Programming (OOP)

• Use Python with a virtual environment tool to isolate project dependencies, prevent dependency conflicts, and ensure your application runs identically across different developer machines and deployments

• Learn version control with Git workflows for collaborative development, allowing you to track changes and roll back errors safely—a requirement for any professional software project.

• Integrate cutting-edge, AI-powered IDE extensions (like code completion and generative code assistants) into your workflow to dramatically increase development speed and reduce the time spent debugging boilerplate code. This is the future of entrepreneurial coding.

Building Custom LLM Solutions (RAG)

General-purpose LLMs are powerful, but high-value, enterprise-grade solutions require specialized knowledge. You will master the Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture, the industry standard for creating reliable, grounded or context driven AI applications.

• Proprietary Intelligence: Learn how to connect LLMs to internal documents, databases, or knowledge bases, ensuring your AI product provides answers that are relevant, accurate, and unique.  Since your data is never shared with a public LLM, IP remains proprietary.

• Data Pipeline: Understand the foundational data frameworks (like LlamaIndex) that manage complex data ingestion, indexing, and retrieval, turning unstructured text into a searchable asset for the LLM.

Advanced NLP for Business Insight

Beyond simple text generation, this module dives into advanced techniques for understanding and classifying user input and complex data—critical for automating business processes.

• Hugging Face Ecosystem: Leverage the industry-leading Hugging Face Transformers library and its PyTorch backend. You'll use this toolkit to quickly access and deploy cutting-edge, pre-trained models.

• Zero-Shot Classification (ZSC): Learn to classify customer feedback, support tickets, or market sentiment into categories without needing extensive, time-consuming labeling. ZSC is a massive accelerant for building immediate-value business systems, allowing you to instantly categorize and route new data streams.

Code Robustness and Refactoring to Production-Grade

The biggest differentiator between a hobby project and a funded startup is code resilience. This module ensures your application doesn't fail under pressure, protecting your user experience and reputation.

• Elegant Error Handling: Implement robust Python error handling (try...except patterns) to gracefully manage common points of failure, such as missing API keys, failed data loads, or external API timeouts. This provides actionable feedback to the user, not just a crash.

• Refactoring for Scale: Learn the essential process of Refactoring, moving your Vibe Code (temporary structures and hardcoding) into permanent, generalized functions and class abstractions. We will leverage Streamlit's built-in caching and error display tools to create a stable, responsive and reliable user experience.

Prerequisites: None

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 Development with AI

4 Advanced Liberal Arts Elective Credits 

This course prepares students to build web products in the AI era by focusing on how to collaborate effectively with AI tools rather than memorizing syntax. From the first day, students use AI to generate complete websites and progressively learn to understand, evaluate, modify, and improve AI-generated code. Core web technologies including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are introduced as essential concepts for guiding AI systems and making informed design and technical decisions. Through a single evolving project, students experience the full lifecycle of modern web development, from AI-assisted prototyping and iterative refinement to version control, deployment, and ongoing improvement in real-world web environments. By the end of the course, students will be able to use AI responsibly to build and maintain web applications while retaining the conceptual understanding needed to debug issues, assess tradeoffs, and shape AI-generated solutions to meet real product goals.

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: (FME 1000 or EPS 1000) and (FME 1001 or MOB 1010) and ACC 1000