MSE Master of Science in Engineering

The Swiss engineering master's degree

Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories: 

  • 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
    TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules.
  • 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
    FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation.
  • 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
    CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.

In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:

  • instruction
  • documentation
  • examination 
Factory Planning (TSM_FactPlan)

The course will describe Production Systems Configuration and Management as well as the drivers influencing the choice of a given layout and the rules adopted for managing it. Various typical layouts will be described also highlighting their benefits and pitfalls, while eliciting the characteristics of the manufacturing environments justifying their choice. Well known Production Planning & Control (PPC) methods will be presented and applied. Basis on market demand forecasting will be provided.

Prerequisites

No specific previous knowledge is required, considering that for each topic a short introduction is proposed before moving to the concept application.

Learning Objectives

Being able to understand:

  • The basics of product layouts and process layouts
  • Push production systems
  • Inventory management methods
  • Simple forecasting methods

Being able to:

  • Solve simple line-balancing problems
  • Dimension simple cellular layout
  • Select the suitable PPC method and dimension it
  • Create forecast and evaluate their quality

Contents of Module

Introduction to Factory Planning

  • Production models and production systems
  • The influence of product structure and Customer delivery lead time
  • Classification: MTS, ATO, MTO, ETO
  • Levers of action for production system configuration
  • Product-Process matrix
  • Performance Indexes (KPI)
  • Job Shop
  • Production Line Balancing
  • Group technology and manufacturing cells

PUSH Production Planning and Control

  • Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)
  • Master Production Schedule (MPS)
  • Material Requirement Planning (MRP)
  • Capacity Planning (Rough Cut Capacity Planning; Capacity Requirement Planning)
  • Dispatching rule

Inventory Management and Forecasting

  • Inventory Management costs and Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)
  • Power-of-Two method, EOQ Price discount, Production Economic Order Quantity
  • Inventory Management Methods; Replenishment, Periodic Order Quantity (POQ)
  • Safety Stock
  • Forecasting methods (time series analysis)

Teaching and Learning Methods

Frontal theoretical lessons integrated with interactive exercises

Literature

The material distributed by the lecturer is enough, reference books can be suggested if the students want to deepen the knowledge of specific subjects, for instance:

  • Factory Physics, Wallace J. Hopp and Mark L. Spearman, Waveland Pr Inc; 3 edition (August 31, 2011)
  • Manufacturing Planning and Control for Supply Chain Management: The CPIN Reference, F. Robert Jacobs, William Berry, D. Clay Whybark, Thomas Vollmann, McGraw-Hill Professional; 2nd edition (July 23, 2018)
  • Forecasting: Methods and Applications, Spyros G. Makridakis, Steven C. Wheelwright, Rob J Hyndman, Wiley; 3 edition (December 1997)

Download full module description

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