COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This advanced course will enhance the student’s awareness of the vital role that quality plays in the continuous drive to improve organizational effectiveness. Students will gain a strong understanding of the basic concepts associated with the philosophy of quality management, quality planning, statistical process control, process improvement, reliability, supplier and customer relationships and quality information systems.

MISSION STATEMENT:

This course supports those elements of the University’s mission that seek to develop literacy in science and computer skills, to teach communication and critical thinking skills, to foster personal and social development, to promote individual freedom, responsibility and self-discipline and to promote responsible citizenship and concern for the problems of society. This course also promotes the goals of developing appreciation for the art and sciences, developing skills of logical and quantitative thinking and or written and spoken communication and preparation for lives of service.

COURSE GOALS:

1. Students will be able to define TQM and its importance in today’s business environment.
2. Students will understand the ethical importance of TQM and ethical issues involved in its implementation and application.
3. Students will understand the importance of continuous input from both internal and external customers and methods for acquiring such input.
4. Students will learn the steps required for implementing, developing and improving TQM in any business setting.
5. Students will learn the various tools for Statistical Process Control (SPC) and their successful application.
6. Students will learn the elements and importance of Continuous Improvement (CI).
7. Students will learn the process of benchmarking and its use in the improvement of quality.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Students are advised that cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated at St. Gregory’s University. Students are expected to abide by the University's academic regulations and policy and are responsible for awareness of the University's definition of these activities. The consequences of violating the academic honesty standard may include a grade of "0" on the assignment/exam, a grade of "F" in the course, and, possibly, expulsion from the University.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Goetsch, David L. and Davis, Stanley B., Quality Management, 3e, Prentice Hall, 2000. ISBN: 0-13-011638-6.

METHODS OF STUDENT EVALUATION:

1. An evaluation of pre-existing student knowledge of course content will be administered during the first week of class. This evaluation will be used to assess student progress later in the course and will not count toward the student’s grade.
2. The student will read the assigned chapter for the date noted on the class schedule, type answers to the assigned questions and be prepared to discuss these answers in class. These typed responses will account for 20% of the student’s grade.

METHODS OF STUDENT EVALUATION (continued):

3. Class attendance and class participation in discussions will account for 20% of the student’s grade.
4. Students will work together to develop an analysis of TQM at SGU. Students will prepare a Power Point presentation of this analysis for presentation to an appropriate group of SGU faculty, staff and/or administrators. Each student will write a summary of the project, its results and recommendations. The Power Point presentation will account for 10% of the student’s grade and the written summary will account for 20% of the student’s grade.
5. There will be a Midterm and a Final Exam. Questions may be multiple choice, true/ false, matching and/or short essay. Each exam will account for 15% of the grade.

COURSE OUTLINE: