INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT SCIENCE - 2020/1

Module Overview

Methods and tools are used to tackle challenges occurring in the business and industrial environment. The obtained results are used for qualified decision making.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

GARN Wolfgang (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

JACs code: N200

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

The module content will focus on a selected set of critical areas in Management. As an indication of the kind of issues that will be covered, please find below an indicative set of topics.

• Waiting Line Models (e.g. Multiple Server Waiting Line)


• Transportation and Network Models  (e.g. Shortest Route)


• Inventory Management (e.g. Economic Order Quantity model)

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they:

• appreciate the theories, conceptual frameworks and methodologies that underpin Operational Research;


• demonstrate the ability to synthesise Management Science concepts within an analytical context;


• demonstrate evidence of background reading and research of the academic and practitioner literature relevant to Management Science.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of: a closed book exam that assesses learning objectives. The closed book exam is a 2 hour examination during the exam period. This exam requires the use of Excel and results will be captured online.  Students have to submit weekly assignments.

Formative assessment and feedback

Students will be given the opportunity to receive formative assessment and feedback to exercises relevant to the closed book exam during the exercises or via SurreyLearn discussion forums.

Module aims

• Solve Management challenges analytically.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: cultivate an understanding of the main issues and challenges; provide a coherent conceptual framework; develop a critical awareness of the various approaches of operational research in business firms.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 2 hour lecture per week x 11 weeks including student exercise sessions.


• 1 hour computer laboratory per week x 11 weeks


• Web-based/SurreyLearn learning support and electronic resources will be provided.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

Reading list for INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT SCIENCE : http://aspire.surrey.ac.uk/modules/man2093

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.