Manufacturing Enterprise Simulation As The Foundation Course And Synergistic Focus Of Advanced Course Hands On Application

This paper describes the effective utilization and benefits of a hands-on laboratory-based production enterprise simulation course as the introductory foundation for subsequent IT or IET program major courses. Using the Georgia Southern University B.S.-Manufacturing degree program’s nationallyrecognized enterprise course as a model, the following key outcome-oriented benefits will be presented: “big picture” understanding of the industrial enterprise as a system; provision of a common base of experience which provides motivating synergy of upper-division course content; and a functioning production operation providing the capability to apply time studies, plant layout, lean concepts, tool design, ergonomics, automation and related studies in a tangible, hands-on basis to enhance major courses.