Course Descriptions | TLI

• TLI 11100 Introduction to Manufacturing and Supply Chain Systems (3 cr.)
  This course serves as an introduction to the Technology Leadership (TLI) programs. Students study the interface between technology and people, while developing strategies to lead, innovate, and solve problems in a technology-rich, systems environment. Concepts of globalization, ethical practices, and life-long learning are also explored.
• TLI 11200 Foundations of Organizational Leadership (3 cr.)
  A survey of individual and organizational behavioral concepts and principles that provide a foundation for leadership in technology organizations. The focus will be toward the understanding of behaviors necessary for effective organizational leadership, including concepts of work in a technology-rich environment.
• TLI 15200 Business Principles for Organizational Leadership (3 cr.)
  This course will introduce the topic of applied organization leadership in the context of working organizations. Topics include basic functions, structures, and operations of organizations, and an introduction to reading and understanding balance sheets, cash flow statements, and profit-loss statements.
• TLI 21300 Project Management (3 cr.)
  Project management is an ad hoc technique for accomplishing specialized missions or work. Examples of projects include research and development studies, consulting projects, reorganizations efforts, implementation of total quality management, installation of new equipment, advertising campaigns, construction or other one-time efforts. This course will provide a leadership approach to project management, including team development and team selection.
• TLI 21400 Introduction to Supply Chain Management Technology (3 cr.)
  This course is an introduction to supply chain management technology. Topics include supply chain functions including how to organize a supply chain, supply chain strategy, supply chain process mapping, and use of supply chain technologies, analysis, and performance measurements.
• TLI 23500 Introduction to Lean and Sustainable Systems (3 cr.)
  This course provides the foundation for technology systems processes and practices. The content covers the discussion of current systems issues, basic systems technology processes, and the role of systems engineering professionals in a global business environment. Topics include basic principles of systems thinking, the concepts of performance and cost measures, alternative design concepts, lean processes, and sustainable life-cycle management.
• TLI 25300 Principles of Technology Strategy (3 cr.)
  This course explores technological strategy and the innovation process from an organizational perspective. The evolutionary path of technologies is dependent upon a variety of factors that when understood can lead to sound technology leadership practices. These factors include innovative organizational processes, economic enablers, and public policies. Students will explore these factors and their interrelationships with attention to how they contribute to practices such as technological evaluation, assessment, planning, strategy, and forecasting.
• TLI 25400 Leading Change in Technology Organizations (3 cr.)
  This course provides a framework for creating, monitoring, and leading change within technology-rich organizations. Students will learn how to be change consultants, diagnose organizational problems, identify and implement change interventions at various outcome levels (i.e. individual, group, process, and the organization as a whole), and evaluate the success of change efforts
• TLI 31300 Technology Innovation and Integration: Bar Codes To Biometrics (3 cr.)
  This course provides the foundation for automatically capturing data in a system. The content covers an introduction to technology used in automatic identification and data capture systems, including: bar codes; radio frequency identification; smart cards, and biometrics. Topics also include an immersive semester project that examines the integration of these technologies, as well as advanced problem solving.
• TLI 31400 Leading Innovation in Organizations (3 cr.)
  This course provides the foundation for understanding the manner in which companies capture innovation and use it to set themselves apart from competitors. Topics covered include the attributes of organizations that are successful in fostering a culture of innovation; the characteristics and roles of leaders and members in innovative organizations; managerial processes and organizational systems that facilitate the successful development, commercialization, and adoption of innovative technologies, products, and services; and methods used to measure innovation-related outcomes.
• TLI 31500 Innovative Product Development and Testing (3 cr.)
  This course introduces the process of technological innovation and new product development from concept to commercialization. Topics covered include ideation, R&D, prototyping (design and modeling), testing for quality, the patent process, intellectual property rights, marketing and cost evaluation.
• TLI 31600 Statistical Quality Control (3 cr.) P: MA 15800 or Math-M 125 & 126, or Math-M 115
  This course introduces the application of statistical and probability tools to develop, implement, and maintain effective quality assurance in technology and service systems. A systems approach to product or service quality from inception to disposal is employed. Factors affecting variation in quality are studied. The concepts and implications of quality from a global business environment are examined.
• TLI 33400 Economic Analysis for Technology Systems (3 cr.) P: MA 15800 or Math-M 125 & 126, or Math-M 115
  This course examines techniques of economic analysis for systems technologists, engineers, and leaders who evaluate and determine the financial attractiveness of multiple alternatives. Emphasizes economic feasibility and applying time value of money concepts to cost-volume-profit decisions. Topics include present worth, rate of return, benefit-cost, payback, breakeven analysis, depreciation, economic optimization, and decision-making under uncertainty.
• TLI 33520 Human Factors for Technology Systems (3 cr.)
  This course provides the foundation for examining the intersection of people, technology, policy, and work across technology systems. Topics include the evaluation, analysis, and design recommendations for improving the safety and efficiency of human-technology interactions.
• TLI 33620 Total Productive Maintenance (3 cr.) P: Physics I, TLI 31600 or STAT 30100 or Math-K 310
  This course emphasizes the importance of effective maintenance planning and execution for efficient and economical operation of service or technology systems. A systems approach to maintenance planning is taken. Maintenance activities are discussed from reliability and productivity perspectives in the context of technology systems. Semester-long, team based research project is typically required.
• TLI 34200 Warehouse and Inventory Management (3 cr.)
  A course designed to develop understanding of types of warehouses, methods of organizing the warehouse environment, and determining efficient inventory control procedures. Technology applications related to the management of warehouse and inventory stock keeping units (SKU) are investigated. Storage of inventory, placement of inventory, picking, packing, shipping, and other internal logistics management topics will be explored.
• TLI 34250 Purchasing and Contract Management (3 cr.) P: TLI 21400
  This course examines the processes by which goods and services are acquired through purchasing and contract management. Topics include procurement, contract strategies, source selection, identifying contract type, product liability and risk, the bid process and response evaluation; contract risk assessment, contract negotiation, and contract law.
• TLI 34300 Technical and Service Selling (3 cr.)
  A study of sales models and techniques for technical and service sales in business to business environments, including development of channel relationships, long-term sales agreements, customer relationship management efforts, total cost of ownership tools and complex sales presentations. Covers critical sales skills such as e-economy sales and marketing, lead management, building credibility, consultative selling, ethical negotiations, and sustainable product management.
• TLI 34350 Business To Business Sales Management (3 cr.) P: TLI 34300
  This course covers key topics in sales management while emphasizing customer relationship management, sales productivity, and the effects of technology on the sales function. Topics include analyzing multiple channel models; establishing sales plans; incentivizing and motivating the sales force; and evaluating, monitoring, and managing the effectiveness of the sales force.
• TLI 35600 Global Technology Leadership (3 cr.) P: TLI 31400
  This course examines leadership of high-tech organizations across cultures and national boundaries. Topics covered may include forging strategic alliances, negotiating contracts, meeting ISO requirements, managing a multinational workforce, identifying emerging markets, and driving innovation.
• TLI 41400 Financial Analysis for Technology Systems (3 cr.) P: TLI 33400 or MGMT 20010
  The course provides students with financial tools needed by managers in technical and service fields. Topics include financial statement analysis, using common-sized statements and financial ratios; the strategic profit model; total cost of ownership; pricing for profitability; margin management; cash flow cycles; and budgeting. A corporate financial analysis project is typically required.
• TLI 43530 Operations Planning and Management (3 cr.)
  A study of enterprise operations and management, demand forecasting, capacity analysis, research and development, production, personnel, and sales. Examples of the procedures necessary to provide a product or service are included. The course focuses on the tools necessary to solve problems, such as decision analysis, linear programming, transportation modeling, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and forecasting models. Field trips may be required and industry-sponsored research projects are typically completed.
• TLI 43540 Facilities Planning and Material Handling (3 cr.) P: MET 14300 OR MET 14400 and TLI 43530
  This course takes a systematic approach to design of facilities and material handling systems for effective and lean production of goods and services. An array of qualitative and quantitative tools and techniques are introduced and utilized, emphasizing lean principles, waste reduction, and overall efficiency of operations. Flow analysis and optimization tools, including computer simulation, are introduced. Strong emphasis is placed on a comprehensive semester-long team project as an integral component of this course.
• TLI 43640 Lean Six Sigma (3 cr.) P: TLI 23500 and TLI 31600
  A study of the Lean Six Sigma quality and process improvement methodology, using the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) process. The course addresses advanced topics in statistical quality; introduces quality management concepts as they pertain to the Lean Six Sigma methodology; and provides preparation for the Green Belt Certification exam.
• TLI 44275 Global Transportation and Logistics Management (3 cr.) P: TLI 34200
  A study of the various aspects of logistics. The development, implementation, and control of physical transportation systems, product distribution, warehousing, and inventory policy models will be emphasized. A working knowledge of third and fourth party logistics and transportation strategies will be analyzed. The impact of logistics and transportation in the global environment will be discussed.
• TLI 45700 Technology Policy and Law (3 cr.)
  This course provides a foundation of understanding the broad impact of technology policies and laws on organizational performance, innovation, corporate accountability, and sustainability. Topics include corporate social responsibility, employment and contract law, intellectual property, e-commerce, and environmental and global challenges.
• TLI 45800 Leadership for Competitive Advantage (3 cr.) P: TLI 25300 and TLI 25400
  Organizations who consistently outperform competitors realize bottom-line impact through efficient leveraging of organizational strategy, leadership, internal and external talent acquisition, organizational culture, and marketing strategies. This course will explore the relationships between these areas and introduce organizational tools and concepts to enable the student to recognize and build capacity for sustainable competitive advantage in technology organizations.
• TLI 48390 Technology Systems Capstone I – Design (3 cr.) P: MET 14300 OR MET 14400 and TLI 43530
  This course takes an integrative approach to technology systems design. Product development and facilities planning, incorporating lean production of goods and services will serve as organizing themes. An array of qualitative and quantitative tools and techniques are used, emphasizing lean principles, waste reduction, and overall efficiency of operations. Flow analysis and optimization tools, including computer simulation, are introduced. Strong emphasis is placed on a comprehensive semester-long team project, integrating previous technology systems course concepts.
• TLI 48395 Technology Systems Capstone II – Evaluate (1 cr.) P: TLI 48390
  This course takes an evaluative approach to existing product and facility design proposals. The emphasis is on critically assessing, proposing alternative solutions or refinements, and making a final recommendation with supporting justification.
• TLI 48590 Technology Leadership Capstone (3 cr.) P: TLI 25300 and TLI 25400
  This course will provide the synthesis between each student’s technology focus area and technology leadership. Students will apply advanced leadership knowledge and skills to technology-based problems while working in diverse teams. Topics include team leadership, integration of technologies to develop innovative solutions, and project management. Permission of Department required.
• TLI 48800 Technology Leadership and Innovation Capstone (3 cr.)
  This is an integrative course that focuses on using cross-functional teams to identify, scope, design, and propose solutions for problems that span the areas of industrial engineering technology, organizational leadership and supply chain management. Field trips may be required.