MBA in Operations Management Syllabus: Subjects and Semester Wise Syllabus 2025

MBA in Operations Management, Duration - 2 Years

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Sudeep Singh
Sudeep Singh

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The MBA Operations Management specialization prepares professionals to address complex aspects in supply chain management, process optimization, and sustainable business growth in various industries. With the rapid expansion of e-commerce in India, diversifying manufacturing under "Make in India", and the digitization of business activities gaining momentum, the number of qualified operations managers has increased, making an MBA in Operations as a career path one of the most appealing.

The MBA course duration is of two-year, offering a full-time, online, integrated, and distance-learning postgraduate program. The core MBA syllabus consists of areas like corporate finance, managerial economics, strategic management, project management, and business analytics, but then integrates topic-specific subject matter in the area of operations management.

Admission into the MBA course is competitive, where students must submit CAT, XAT, TISSNET, MAT, or CMAT exam scores as entry-level qualifications.  Some of the best colleges offering an MBA in Operations Management in India include IIM-Ahmadabad, IIM-Bangalore, IIM-Calcutta, IIM-Indore, and Symbiosis Institute of Business Management.

Generally, MBA course fees can range from ₹4 lakhs - ₹20 lakhs. Graduates are able to expect decent MBA salaries in India, with entry-level wages can be expected with salaries from ₹6-10 LPA, while experienced operations managers can expect up to ₹25- 34 LPA, showcasing that this is an excellent career scope for aspiring business managers of the future.

Students are also benefiting from advanced learning of the business spectrum with key subjects that include Business Economics, Capital Markets, Investing Analysis, and Portfolio Management, utilizing high-quality texts that include Analysis of Inventory Systems, Operations Strategy, and Introduction to Materials Management.

 

What is an MBA in Operations Management?

An MBA in Operations Management is a specialized PG degree that gives students the right knowledge and education to manage the day-to-day operations of any business efficiently and effectively. They are better equipped to make critical decisions in designing and managing operational processes. From this course, qualified operations management students will learn about designing, developing, and delivering products and services in the manufacturing and services industries.

This MBA specialization will prepare students to be skilled managers focusing on managing the different aspects of operational problems, reducing costs, improving quality control, and improving processes. Students will learn to manage functions such as quality control, logistics, supply chain management, project management, and process improvement. Like other MBA Courses, the Operations Management specialization comprises 4 semesters of theoretical and practical, through industry-based projects, internships, or case studies.

Category

Details

Course Types

Full-time, Online, Executive, Integrated, and Distance MBA programs

Entrance Exams

CAT, XAT, TISS, MAT, NET

Duration

2 years

Fee Range

INR 4,00,000 – INR 20,00,000

Top Colleges

IIM Bangalore, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, IIM Calcutta

Eligibility

Graduation with a minimum of 50% marks (General category) or 45% marks (Reserved categories)


MBA Entrance Exam Syllabus

The MBA Operations Entrance Exam syllabus has a comprehensive range of topics that assess a candidate's analytical, quantitative, and logical reasoning skills. Most entrance exams follow the same pattern and have 4 main sections to review: Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and General Knowledge and Current Affairs. 

Section

Key Topics

Quantitative Aptitude

Number Systems & Basic Mathematics

Algebra & Quadratic Equations

Geometry & Mensuration

Trigonometry & Coordinate Geometry

Probability & Statistics

Time, Speed & Distance Problems

Profit & Loss Calculations

Simple & Compound Interest

Percentages & Ratios

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

Grammar & Sentence Correction

Vocabulary & Word Usage

Para Jumbles & Sentence Completion

Reading Comprehension Passages

Critical Reasoning

Analogies & Antonyms

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

Tables, Charts & Graphs Analysis

Puzzles & Seating Arrangements

Blood Relations & Directions

Syllogisms & Logical Sequences

Coding & Decoding Problems

General Knowledge

Current Affairs (National & International)

Business & Economic News

Sports & Awards

History, Geography & Politics

 

The MBA Entrance Exams, such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, MAT, and CMAT, are widely accepted by Business Schools for their Operations Management Programs. Each exam has its own pattern and difficulty level, with a determined preparation of 6-8 months.

 

MBA Operations Management Syllabus 2025

The MBA Operations Management syllabus 2025 has four semesters, with core courses in the first year and electives in the second year, designed to be comprehensive. The first year is designed to give you knowledge of the different disciplines within the field of management, while the second year's courses are meant to be more sophisticated and use the elements of operations management.

MBA Operations Management Semester 1: Foundation Courses

Subject

Description

Principles of Management

Basic management concepts and theories

Business Statistics

Statistical analysis for business decisions

Financial Accounting

Financial statements and accounting principles

Microeconomics

Economic principles affecting business

Organizational Behavior

Human behavior in organizational settings

Business Communication

Effective communication skills

Computer Applications

MS Office and basic software skills

 

MBA Operations Management Semester 2: Core Business Subjects

Subject

Description

Operations Management

Introduction to operations concepts

Marketing Management

Marketing principles and strategies

Human Resource Management

HR policies and practices

Financial Management

Financial decision making

Research Methodology

Research techniques and methods

Business Law

Legal aspects of business

Macroeconomics

Economic environment analysis

 

MBA Operations Management Semester 3: Specialized Operations Courses

Subject

Description

Supply Chain Management

End-to-end supply chain optimization

Quality Management

Quality control and improvement

Production Planning & Control

Planning and controlling production

Logistics & Distribution

Transportation and warehousing

Operations Research

Mathematical optimization techniques

Project Management

Project planning and execution

Lean Manufacturing

Waste reduction methodologies

 

MBA Operations Management Semester 4: Advanced Topics and Specialization

Subject

Description

Strategic Operations Management

Strategic aspects of operations

Technology Management

Managing technological innovations

Service Operations

Operations in service industries

Global Operations

International operations management

Sustainability in Operations

Environmental considerations

Capstone Project

Industry-based project work

Internship

Practical industry experience

The Contemporary Topics incorporated throughout the syllabus include Business Analytics, Data Science Applications, Lean Manufacturing Philosophies, the Six Sigma approach, Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, and Digital Transformation in Operations. The MBA syllabus also includes practical applications through a summer internship, industry project, and case study analysed through real-world perspectives of operational challenges.

 

MBA Operations Management Subject

The MBA Operations Management Subject portfolio includes both introductory business and specialized operations topics that aim to develop a more rounded operations manager. The compulsory core subjects provide students with the essential body of knowledge associated with business, whilst the elective courses allow students to develop their interests and expertise in specific operational areas.

Category

Subjects

Core Foundation Subjects

Management Theory and Practices

Corporate Finance

Business Statistics

Marketing Management

Human Resource Management

Strategic Management

Managerial Economics

Business Research Methodology

Specialized Operations Subjects

Production and Operations Management

Supply Chain Management

Project Management

Quality Management Systems (TQM, Six Sigma)

Inventory Management and Control

Logistics and Distribution Management

Advanced Elective Options

Global Supply Chain Management

Lean Manufacturing Systems

Operations Strategy

Service Operations Management

Technology Management

Business Process Re-engineering

Operations Analytics

Digital Supply Chain

AI in Operations

Sustainability in Operations

Agile Operations Management

 

Best Book for MBA in Operations Management

Choosing the right textbooks and references is essential for understanding the theories of operations management and developing a foundation for practice. The Best Book for MBA in Operations Management incorporates a robust theoretical framework with practical applications, allowing students to learn both the theoretical concepts and potential barriers to implementation in the real world.

Category

Book Title

Author(s)

Description

Core Textbooks

Operations Management (10th Edition)

Nigel Slack, Alistair Brandon-Jones, Nicola Burgess

Considered the gold standard in operations management education; among the top 10 most cited business texts worldwide.

Operations Management

William J. Stevenson

Comprehensive coverage of manufacturing and service operations with in-depth case studies.

Operations and Supply Chain Management

F. Robert Jacobs, Richard B. Chase

Integrated coverage of operations and supply chain concepts.

Strategic & Analytical Books

The Goal

Eliyahu M. Goldratt

Classic business novel explaining the Theory of Constraints and principles for operational improvement.

Operations Strategy

Nigel Slack, Michael Lewis

Strategic perspectives on decision-making in operations management.

Operations Rules

David Simchi-Levi et al.

Analytical approaches to solving complex operations management problems.

Specialized Topic Books

Lean Thinking

James P. Womack, Daniel T. Jones

Comprehensive guide to lean manufacturing principles and practices.

The Toyota Way

Jeffrey K. Liker

Insights into Toyota's operational excellence and process methodologies.

This is Lean

Niklas Modig, Par Ahlstrom

Service-oriented perspective on lean management.

The Checklist Manifesto

Atul Gawande

Practical applications of quality control across various industries.

Contemporary & Digital Operations

The Phoenix Project

Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford

Applies operations management principles to IT and DevOps environments.

Lean Six Sigma

Michael L. George

Combines Lean and Six Sigma methodologies for process improvement.

 

Additional Reference Books:

  • "The Goal” by Eliyahu M. Goldratt – A novel to learn operations management - with a twist
  • "Lean Thinking" by James P. Womack – A must-read for understanding lean manufacturing
  • "Competitive Strategy" by Michael Porter – Important for understanding operations strategy

These reading texts are offered in both hardcover and e-book formats, and students should enrich the reading experience with recent research articles, industry reports, and online resources. Many Top MBA Colleges in India even offer access to e-libraries and databases with the latest literature in operations management.

When preparing for the MBA Course Admission and during the course, students should aim to reflect on how the theory is practical. The MBA in Operations Management Fees caters to these essential texts, and you will usually have access to the relevant textbooks via the library facilities, though you will also be free to purchase essential references for your library.

The selection of study materials is bound by the MBA Operations Management Cutoff requirements and the entrance exam patterns of your identified institutions. Students should also take into account the pedagogical approach used by their preferred business school, as well as their use of case studies, when selecting any additional readings.

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