Welcome to the Technology and Operations Management Department

Four years ago, the department launched a supply-chain career track in our Operations Management and Electronic Business curricula. The supply-chain track combines state-of-the-art laboratory experiences with a rich and varied array of experiential learning events, including a rigorous and integrated TOM/EBZ core, emphasis on hands-on learning and teamwork, and cutting-edge electives based on in-depth expertise. While Electronic Business emphasizes information technology for supply chain visibility, the Operations Management curriculum emphasizes supply chain network design and analysis. Our strategy is aimed at having the best learn-by-doing environment with a faculty of teacher-scholars who are dedicated to student learning. Today, supply chain management has become the most popular career track among our students. Last year, our graduates (with no fulltime job experience) received job offers of up to the high $80k’s, among the highest in the college. Some graduates went on to pursue graduate studies, and one received a full scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. degree.

On external grants, the department collaborated with Riverside Community College and received $228,000 from the ATE "Goods to Go" Grant (National Science Foundation) and $61,800 from the California Transportation & Logistics Institute (CATLI). The two grants team up the TOM/EBZ department with community colleges to address the critical shortage of college-educated workforce in logistics and transportation in Southern California. Including the Supply Chain Operations Technology laboratory funded by the Industry Manufacturers Council, City of Industry, TOM/EBZ department has received more than $700,000 the past 2 years. Last year, the laboratory received more than 100 visitors and more than 1,000 students worked on “learn by doing” projects in the laboratory.

The 12 fulltime faculty members of the TOM/EBZ department are teacher-scholars. Last year, the faculty presented 16 research papers at major conferences and published 7 papers in peer-reviewed journals. The faculty was also very active in community outreach, with participations ranging from collaborative curriculum development with area community colleges, to seminars offered to national and international universities and government agencies.

2007-08 has been a very productive year for the faculty and staff of the TOM/EBZ department!