Master of Commerce in Operations Research

Purpose

To provide masters graduates with advanced core knowledge and skills about various specialised aspects of operations research in order to equip them for a career in quantitative areas of business/commercial management.

To develop competent leaders in the quantitative management fields within the primary, secondary and tertiary economic sectors, possessing advaned theoretical and applied knowledge and skills, enabling them to steer sustainable development, growth and prosperity in the most appropriate direction within their domain of work.

To deliver students who would like to proceed with doctoral study in operations research with a sound academic base from which to do so.

Rationale

To provide students with advanced core knowledge and skills about various specialised aspects of operations research in order to equip them for a career in quantitative areas of business/commercial management.

To develop competent leaders in the quantitative management fields within the primary, secondary and tertiary economic sectors, possessing advaned theoretical and applied knowledge and skills, enabling them to steer sustainable development, growth and prosperity in the most appropriate direction within their domain of work.

To deliver students who would like to proceed with doctoral study in operations research with a sound academic base from which to do so.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The University of Stellenbosch has a comprehensive policy for the recognition of prior learning (attached).

Access to the Qualification

Honours degree in Operations Research (OR).

Exit Level of programme; NQF Level 8.

Duration (years); 1 year full-time.

Total Credits; 120 Credits.

• Fundamentals; NQF Level 8.
• Core; NQF Level 8; 60 Credits.
• Electives; NQF Level 8; 60 Credits.

1. Ability to independently, or as leader of a team, analyse, plan, implement and monitor business operations and projects within an organisation and in a product's supply chain on strategic, tactical and operational levels, and found decisions quantitatively, and to organise complex operations that entail the efficient allocation and distribution of scarce resources.
2. Be equipped to proceed with doctoral studies.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

• Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.

> Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.
• Refer to the following Exit Level Outcome:

> Ability to independently, or as leader of a team, analyse, plan, implement and monitor business operations and projects within an organisation and in a product's supply chain on strategic, tactical and operational levels, and found decisions quantitatively, and to organise complex operations that entail the efficient allocation and distribution of scarce resources.

• Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively".

> Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.
• Refer to the following Exit Level Outcome:

> Be equipped to proceed with doctoral studies.

• Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.

> Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

> Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
• Refer to the following Exit Level Outcome:

> Be equipped to proceed with doctoral studies.

• Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of: Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
• Refer to the following Exit Level Outcome:

> Be equipped to proceed with doctoral studies.

• Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities".

> Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
• Exploring education and career opportunities.

> Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

> Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A range of formative and summative assessment methods, such as computer assignments, quantitative problem sets, written and oral presentations, tests and examinations, are used.
• This range of methods is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.
• The assessment of samples, generalising to a domain of application, takes place in a judicious and planned way in order to ensure reliability.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

The ability to perform research as required on NQF Level 8(a) is demonstrated through the completion of a research assignment (for research work that contributes between 25 and 50 percent of the programme requirements) or a thesis (for research work that contributes more than 50 percent of the programme requirements).

The assessment of assignments and theses takes the following criteria into account

• Adequate delimitation and conceptualising of the field and subject of research.
• Adequate command of the relevant research method.
• Familiarity with the relevant literature.
• Clear and systematic presentation of the material and logical exposition of the argument.
• Proper documentation and support of the results of the research.
• Acceptable linguistic and stylistic presentation.
• The contribution made by the assignment/thesis to knowledge in its field (an original contribution is not a necessity).

Integrated Assessment

The nature of Operational Research is such that successful study at any particular level requires the student to draw on the knowledge and expertise gathered in previous years. In this sense the assessments that are devised for the masters degree are also integrated assessments for the entire study. Assessment takes place by way of a variety of procedures, including cross-disciplinary individual and group assignments, computer assignments, work-place assessments, written and oral presentations, tests and examinations. Over and above this, it is compulsory for students to complete a large research project of practical or theoretical nature and to present both oral and written reports (either an assignment or a thesis) on the work.