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MITx: Manufacturing Systems I

3.6 stars
15 ratings

Learn about manufacturing systems and ways to analyze them in terms of material flow and storage, information flow, capacities, and times and durations of events, especially random events.

Manufacturing Systems I
8 weeks
10–12 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
This course is archived
Future dates to be announced

About this course

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In this course, part of the Principles of Manufacturing MicroMasters program, you will learn how to analyze manufacturing systems to optimize performance and control cost. You will develop an understanding of seemingly opaque production lines with a particular emphasis on random disruptive events – their effects and how to deal with them, as well as inventory dynamics and management.

Manufacturing systems are complex and require decision-making skills and analytical analysis. Managers and practitioners use a wide variety of methods to optimize the performance of manufacturing systems and control costs. The many processes and functions involved in building and maintaining these systems demand a high-level of knowledge.

In this course, you will learn about these various methods and processes. We will start with a review of probability and statistics, and then cover topics in linear programming, queueing theory, inventory management and the Toyota Production System (TPS). Lastly, we will introduce stochastic manufacturing systems models developed here at MIT.

The topics covered will provide the basis for learners to continue into the manufacturing field in such roles as an operations manager or supply chain manager.

Develop the skills needed for competence and competitiveness in today’s manufacturing industry with the Principles of Manufacturing MicroMasters Credential, designed and delivered by MIT’s #1-ranked Mechanical Engineering department in the world. Learners who pass the 8 courses in the program will earn the MicroMasters Credential and qualify to apply to gain credit towards MIT’s Master of Engineering in Advanced Manufacturing & Design program.

At a glance

  • Institution: MITx
  • Subject: Engineering
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Prerequisites:

    6.041.1x or the equivalent. Knowledge and comfortability with undergraduate-level calculus, probability and statistics."

  • Associated programs:
  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Supply Chain Management, Production Line, Toyota Production System, Queueing Theory, Operations Management, Advanced Manufacturing, Decision Making, Industrial Engineering, Probability And Statistics, Material Flow Management, Linear Programming, Production Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Inventory Management, Cost Control

What you'll learn

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  • Applications of basic probability models
  • Building and solving optimization models
  • Inventory dynamics and management
  • Philosophy behind the Toyota Production System (TPS)

Frequently Asked Questions

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For more information, please see the POM FAQ Page.

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Principles of Manufacturing MicroMasters Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
8 graduate-level courses
Instructor-led
Assignments and exams have specific due dates
1 year 5 months
10 - 12 hours per week

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