Michael Opar, PhD

Courses Taught

• Introduction to Engineering
• Engineering Economy
  • Evaluation of private and public sector project alternatives in quantitative and qualitative terms. Cost/benefit analysis. Time value of money and application of this concept to evaluation of economic feasibility and comparison of alternatives. Evaluation methods: present value, return on investment and payback.
• Work System Design and Analysis
  • Measurement and analysis of work systems. Ergonomics and the environmental, physical, psychological aspects of work. Work measurement techniques including time study, pre-determined time systems and work sampling. Classroom and laboratory experiences are utilized in instruction.
• Quality Control and Reliability
  • Introduction to statistical quality control methods and systems for analyzing and controlling product quality in industrial and business settings. Design of inspection plans for quality characteristics. Statistical process control charts and acceptance sampling. Introduction to reliability.
• Ergonomics and Occupational Safety
  • Ergonomics focuses on human capabilities and the interfaces between individuals and their environment. Concepts from signal detection theory, anatomy, physiology and controls are presented and then used to solve design problems in a wide variety of applications. Two lectures and one lab per week.
• Operations Planning , Scheduling and Control
  • Addresses those activities in an organization that are directly related to producing goods or providing services. Planning, execution, and control of functions are examined. The focus is on organizational processes in which people, capital, and material (inputs) are combined to produce services and goods (outputs). Such processes may be found in banks, factories, stores, hospitals, etc. Subjects include forecasting, capacity planning, operations design, scheduling, and project management.
• Senior Design Seminar
  • Students work in teams on a significant project involving design or re-design of an operational product, process, or procedure in either an industrial or a service setting. As a minimum, students will consider objectives and criteria, resources, interface with other functional areas, constraints, alternatives, and operational specifications. The student will prepare a written report; and a professional presentation written will be made to the host company.