Course Descriptions


Product Development Courses

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    MPD 5050 Systems Architecture

    MPD 5050 Systems Architecture

    Credit Hours: 3

    Provides an understanding (supported by theory and case studies) of the principles of system architecture such that participants learn some of the basic tools required to: (1) structure and learn all the early, conceptual phases of the system development process; (2) support an ongoing system development project through its system engineering and design phase; and (3) think independently and holistically about product architecture. Topics include: what is SA; overview of the architecting process; architecting heuristics and principles; builder-architectured systems; manufacturing systems models and modeling.

    Prerequisites:

    • MENG 5925 (Minimum Grade of B, May be taken concurrently)
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    MPD 5100 Systems Engineering

    MPD 5100 Systems Engineering

    Credit Hours: 3

    Provides an understanding of key elements of Systems Engineering. Within this framework, elements of Systems Engineering enablers, requirements analysis, top level architecture development, robust design, trade-off study techniques, embedded real-time software design, and product-process modeling are addressed. Particular emphasis is placed on the criticality and correctness of requirements and the effects that requirements have on the product development process. Industry participation provides an understanding of current real-world experiences that highlight problems and solutions related to large-scale, complex system.

    Prerequisites:

    • MENG 5925 (Minimum Grade of B, May be taken concurrently)
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    MPD 5200 System and Project Management

    MPD 5200 System and Project Management

    Credit Hours: 3

    Provides understanding of up-to-date project management methods, tools and actual practice in order to effectively plan, organize, and control product development projects. The course design is based on: (a) experiential learning as the course is organized around learning by doing; (b) the learning process is focused and facilitated by projects of interest to the automotive domain; (c) teamwork and creative thinking is practiced during the course; (d) connections with Systems Engineering and Systems Architecture are demonstrated and maintained.

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    MPD 5300 System Optimization

    MPD 5300 System Optimization

    Credit Hours: 3

    Application-oriented introduction to optimization and simulation focuses on understanding system trade-offs. Introduces modeling methodology (linear, integer and nonlinear programming, genetic algorithms), modeling tools (sensitivity and post-optimality analysis), software applications in production planning and scheduling, inventory planning, distribution systems planning, facility sizing and capacity expansions, and product development.

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    MPD 5350 Organizational Processes

    MPD 5350 Organizational Processes

    Credit Hours: 3

    Provides an understanding of the analytic framework and tools needed to analyze, manage, and lead the organization of the future. Features expected to characterize the emerging "new" organizational forms are examined and contrasted with the traditional predecessors with the pros and cons of each. Course focuses on the levels of skills participants will need for the "new organization". Through cases, exercises. readings, teamwork, discussions, and papers, the course allows students to integrate conceptual material with his/her own experiences, beliefs, and actions.

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    MPD 5400 Finance and Managerial Accounting

    MPD 5400 Finance and Managerial Accounting

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course enables the participants to translate financial statements into meaningful information for use in business decision making. Participants gain an understanding of the company's financial condition and performance and build confidence in analyzing financial reports. They examine the firm's health, strengths, and weaknesses, considering both recent performance and future prospects. Financial concepts and practices are used to explore the acquisition and management of new resources.

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    MPD 5450 Marketing Management

    MPD 5450 Marketing Management

    Credit Hours: 3

    The overall objective is to facilitate student's familiarity with markets and their players. This course focuses on how managers in all functional areas address marketing mix problems in the context of a company's corporate strategy. Specific objectives include: develop an ability to analyze consumer behavior, internal constraints, and environmental influences that affect the marketing function; understand the aspects of the marketing mix; understand how brand managers and other marketing professional develop marketing plans, and to practice these skills.

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    MPD 5460 Product and Process Improvement: Lean Six Sigma I

    MPD 5460 Product and Process Improvement: Lean Six Sigma I

    Credit Hours: 3

    In the current competitive business environment, industries are striving to improve efficiencies by increasing productivity, enhancing products and services while reducing costs. Lean Six Sigma has emerged as the leading initiative in industry today that enables many managers to achieve these goals. Lean Six Sigma has been widely deployed in a variety of industries including Manufacturing, Medial, Banking Insurance, Pharmaceutical, Automotive, Aerospace and many more. The Lean Six Sigma strategy combines effective problem solving methodologies, modern quality thinking, process flow analysis and data analysis techniques to help companies solve problems that affect profitability by addressing quality, cost, timing and customer satisfaction. This course is intended for industry professionals and focuses on the practical application of many process flow, quality and data analysis techniques to solve many of the problems that plague organizations today. Focus will be on countermeasures developed primarily through the application of lean techniques as well as basic to intermediate qualitative and quantitative statistical techniques utilized within the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) roadmap. This course serves as an introduction to Lena Six Sigma Black Belt Certification jointly backed by the University of Detroit Mercy and the International Quality Federation.

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    MPD 5470 Product and Process Improvement: Lean Six Sigma II

    MPD 5470 Product and Process Improvement: Lean Six Sigma II

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course is intended for industry professionals and focuses on the practical application of many advanced quality and data analysis techniques to solve the chronic problems that plague organizations today. Focus will be on countermeasures developed primarily through the application of intermediate to advanced statistical techniques including regression analysis, ANOVA analysis and experimental design utilized within the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control roadmap. This course provides the training basis for achieving the skill level of a Six Sigma Black Belt. This course serves as a continuation to Lean Six Sigma tool set and is the second course in a series of three culminating in a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification jointly backed by the University of Detroit Mercy and the International Quality Federation.

    Prerequisites:

    • EMGT 5460 (Minimum Grade of C, May not be taken concurrently) OR
    • MPD 5460 (Minimum Grade of C, May not be taken concurrently)
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    MPD 5500 Operations Management

    MPD 5500 Operations Management

    Credit Hours: 3

    Provides an understanding of concepts for design, planning and control of manufacturing and service operations. Provides basic definitions of operations management terms, tools and techniques for analyzing operations, and strategic context for making operational decisions. The material is presented in four modules: (a) operations analysis, (b) coordination and planning (c) logistics and supply chain management, and (d) operations strategy. Also explored are such issues as product development, technology and re-engineering.

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    MPD 5600 Product Planning and Development

    MPD 5600 Product Planning and Development

    Credit Hours: 3

    Provides an understanding of structured methodologies and effective tools that support the development of engineered products. Emphasis is placed on the activities related to the concept development phase of the product development process. Topics include development processes and organizations, opportunity recognition, identifying customer needs, establishing product specifications, concept generation, concept selection, and concept testing. A team project is required.

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    MPD 5750 Design for X (DFX)

    MPD 5750 Design for X (DFX)

    Credit Hours: 3

    Provides a fundamental understanding of and ability to effectively consider design implications of Design for X, where X will be many different topics related to product design and development, such as assembly, manufacturability, durability, serviceability, recyclability, damageability, health and safety, ergonomics, quality/robustness, FEA, cast and molded parts and additional topics. Case studies from industry are discussed throughout.

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    MPD 5960 Advanced Topics in Product Development

    MPD 5960 Advanced Topics in Product Development

    Credit Hours: 3

    Directed studies on advanced topics in product development.

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    MPD 5990 Capstone Thesis/Project

    MPD 5990 Capstone Thesis/Project

    Credit Hours: 3

    The MPD program is designed to teach principles, processes, and tools for "end-to-end product development". The MPD thesis is the capstone activity to apply MPD principles, processes, and tools to a problem of substantial size, difficulty, and depth.