|
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
MS IN AIRPORT MANAGEMENT
DEGREE OBJECTIVES
The Master of Science degree in Airport Management will apply modern management concepts to the aviation environment.
This degree will endow mid or junior level professionals with the skills and knowledge to advance in airports and airport-related businesses.
The degree will raise awareness of and enhance skills related to safety issues in the airport environment.
It will address the demand for professional managers that is growing as a result of the need for effective use of ever-more scarce resources, heightened domestic and international competition, environmental issues and security concerns.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General management courses: 15 credits
| MGT520 Statistics | 3 credits |
| MGT515 Finance | 3 credits |
| MGT510 Organizational Behavior | 3 credits |
| MGT540 Occupational Safety | 3 credits |
| Elective | 3 credits |
| 3 credits of a general management elective may be selected from either of the following: | |
| MGT525 Managerial Economics | 3 credits |
| MGT530 Managerial Accounting | 3 credits |
Aviation courses: 12 credits
|
| MGT545Airport Planning and Operations | 3 credits |
| MGT560 Law and Regulations | 3 credits |
| MGT550Airport Security | 3 credits |
| MGT555Airport Economics and Finance | 3 credits |
| Or Aviation Elective | 3 credits |
| 3 credits of an aviation elective may be selected from either of the following: | |
| MGT565 Marketing and Public Relations | 3 credits |
| MGT575 Environmental Issues | 3 credits |
| MGT570 Labor Relations | 3 credits |
Research courses: 6 or 7 credits
| MGT500 Research methods | 3 credits |
| MGT601 Masters project | 3 credits |
| Or MGT600 Thesis | 4 credits |
| Total Number of Credits: | 33 or 34 |
|
| Depending on their background, students may be required to take one or both of the following Basic Skills Courses: | |
| MGT495 Information Technologies for Managers | 2 credits |
| MGT490 Math for Business Applications | 2 credits |
Total Number of Credits: | 33 or 38 |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
MGT520 Statistics 3 credits
This course presents the fundamental notions of data presentation and analysis and teaches students to use statistical thinking in the context of business problems. It deals with modern methods of data exploration (designed to reveal unusual or problematic aspects of databases), the uses and abuses of the basic techniques of inference, and the use of regression as a tool for management and for financial analysis.
Specific topics include elementary rules of probability (including probabilities of compound events, joint probabilities and conditional probabilities), discrete and continuous probability distributions and their mean, variance, and standard deviation.
Additional topics include techniques of data summarization, statistical estimation and simple and multiple regression.
These concepts will be further developed in topics such as descriptive statistics, analysis of variances, chi square tests, nonparametric statistics, index numbers and aggregate price indexes, inference, forecasting and time series analysis.
These statistical techniques are used in further study in business, economics, and finance and applied to business problems and. The course is designed to develop students' ability to apply inferential statistical methods and modeling skills to decision making in business. Case studies, spreadsheets, and computer software will be used.
Evaluation
Examinations
Assignments applying different concepts and software
MGT515 Finance 3 credits
The course is a comprehensive and advanced study of financial analysis, planning, and control techniques for a business entity with emphasis on corporations.
It addresses the theory and practice of financial management and provides a good grounding in basic concepts of finance, including the time value of money, valuation, portfolio theory, the role of financial markets, asset pricing, and the risk-return tradeoff and develops skills in financial analysis, planning and decision-making.
Financial statement analysis will be introduced to examine properties of the numbers derived from financial statements, key aspects of decisions that use financial statement information, and features of the environment in which these decisions are made.
The course will introduce securities markets, the different classes of securities, and the importance of portfolio management. Various assets are discussed, including bonds, options, futures contracts, and foreign currencies.
Decisions will be examined in the context of the firm, but the skills will be applicable to diverse situations. They will address value creation and broader business policy through capital budgeting, capital structure, valuation, option theory, raising capital, risk management and international topics such as currencies, capital flows, and financial market parity relationships, management of currency risks and investing and financing across international borders.
Evaluation
Examinations
Assignments
Case studies
MGT510 Organizational Behavior 3 credits
The course is divided into two major components: organization theory and organization behavior. The first component is macro in nature and focuses on organizational-level problems such as how an organization should be designed (i.e. centralized or decentralized), what strategy it should follow (i.e. integrated or diversified), and how the conflict and politics endemic to organizational life can be managed. The second is primarily micro in nature and focuses on individual and group-level problems such as how to evaluate and reward employees, design jobs that motivate people and supervise employees.
It introduces contemporary concepts and theories of organization and the behavior of individuals and groups applied to organizations in the global business environment and offers an integrated approach to the design and study of organizations. It includes a study of various approaches and concepts concerned with organization structure, authority and power structures, organization climate, and managerial philosophy. The course is also designed to improve understanding of individual and group dynamics, conflict management, and organizational change.
Specific systems covered in depth include: recruitment, selection, training, performance appraisal, compensation and benefits, discipline, and employee health. Throughout the course, specific attention will be given to the importance of ethics, employee rights, and social responsibility in human resource decisions.
The course will help students develop practical skills such as organizational diagnosis, intervention techniques for both small and large groups, dealing with resistance to change, and designing communication programs for organizational transitions.
It examines how to create and enact positive change in business at the systems level by understanding the elements of organizational design as well as theories and models pertinent to organizational change. The course addresses strategies and tactics managers can employ to plan, enact and monitor change within their spheres of influence.
Evaluation
Examinations
Assignments
Case studies
Presentations
Term paper
MGT540 Occupational Safety 3 credits
General principles of safety are studied, in a broad context and from the perspective of OSHA, EPA and related regulations.
The health and safety of the workforce is important not just to foster a quality work environment, but also to mitigate the risk of liability to a business. Employers need to focus on reducing occupational fatalities, injuries and illness, and the regulated high cost of doing business in the state.
The course addresses issues of ergonomics, including an overview of the human body systems and evaluation of the physiological response of the human body to occupational activities with emphasis on task design; the use of biomechanics in the evaluation and design of work activities.
It also examines the basic concepts of industrial hygiene and the role of human factors in the workplace with particular emphasis on their relationship with safety.
The course will evaluate different training systems designs and their effectiveness in training operations, based on the principles discussed in the course.
Evaluation
Examinations
Case studies
Presentations
Term paper
MGT525 Managerial Economics 3 credits
Economic analysis as applied to economics decisions in all areas of management is covered in this course. Principles of cost, present values and interdependent systems are studied, with extensive use of cases from industry.
This course stresses three areas of management decision making: allocation, controlling behavior, and profit analysis. It introduces quantitative techniques that managers need to utilize in order to facilitate decision making and problem solving. The course examines the decision-making process of business firms in the resource allocation process. Both the functioning of markets and the decisions of firms in a variety of market structures are considered. Various theories of the firm are used to study the optimal decision-making rules for business firms under conditions of uncertainty.
It presents a practical introduction to the important economic principles behind the operation of modern business. The topics covered include demand and supply analysis, production functions, market structures, production and cost theory, estimation of production and cost functions and the impact of monetary and fiscal policies on aggregate output and inflation, Federal Reserve Bank's conduct of monetary policy. These principles are applied to both domestic and multinational organizations.
Students make substantial use of Excel tools, and integrate tools from the quantitative methods and accounting courses.
Evaluation
Examinations
Assignments
Presentations
MGT530 Managerial Accounting 3 credits
This course introduces the accounting procedures and concepts used to meet the information needs of management. Stress is placed on the identification, accumulation, reporting and interpretation of cost information for decision making and control in the general context of a manufacturing operation. In addition, this course enables the student to evaluate and utilize the information supplied to management by the accounting department of a business concern. The purpose of this course is to make the non-accounting major able to understand and use the accountant's tools.
It covers fundamental theories, concepts, principles, and practices in managerial accounting that provides a foundation for further study in finance and other business courses.
These include objectives and limitations of an accounting system and interrelationships between that system and other administrative functions, interpretation of accounting reports, and direct costing and contribution approach in terms of both responsibility and decision accounting. Topics include the accounting cycle; basic business transactions involving assets, liabilities, equity, account revenue, and expense; internal controls; and preparation and understanding of financial statements, including balance sheets, statements of income, and cash flows.
The course also introduces the analysis of financial results and emphasizes the vocabulary, methods, and processes by which for-profit business transactions are communicated. Particular emphasis in this course is placed on introductory cost concepts, cost behavior, cost accounting systems, budgeting and their relationship to management control systems and decision-making.
Evaluation
Examinations
Assignments
MGT545 Airport Planning and Operations 3 credits
This course covers issues in airport planning and its importance to smooth aviation operations. Duties and responsibilities of airport managers in the context of government regulations, safety and security issues and environmental constraints are examined. The skills required for successful performance in this capacity are presented. The course also includes educational tours of major airports
The course covers several issues related to the efficient planning and functioning of an airport. It analyses choices and decisions of airports in an era of competition, privatization and rapid change in the airport sector and the need to develop in a sustainable way whilst delivering economic and business growth.
It introduces practical ideas on major aspect of airport design and construction and helps planners develop the infrastructure for moving people efficiently and cost-effectively. It addresses such issues as the future of airport growth as a result of air traffic pattern changes and other factors, noise abatement and air pollution, siting constraints, the politics of airport development and the integration of connecting transportation modes.
Other specific issues addressed include airport capacity and delay, aircraft peaks and airline rescheduling, ground handling, and baggage handling, passenger terminal operations and airport technical services, aircraft emergencies, access and the airport operations manual. As the growth in air cargo traffic significantly outpaces passenger growth, air cargo development issues at airports become more significant. These issues are also examined.
Taking into account recent events and their effect on the industry, the course also focuses on ground and air security concerns, changes in systems and regulations, and new maintenance and flight technologies. It introduces Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Mandates and post-9/11 developments, the Aviation Improvement and Reform Act and the impact of these and various FAA regulations and advisories on management of an airport. It also addresses issues of airspace and air traffic control, financial planning, liability issues and landside and airside technological improvements
Given the movement of the airport industry toward privatization, the course also examines the differences in management of public and private airports.
Evaluation
Examinations
Assignments
Case studies
Presentations
Term paper
MGT560 Law And Regulations 3 credits
The course examines the initiation, formulation and implementation of aviation public policies and their effects upon the various segments of the industry, airports in particular. It introduces various regulatory issues related to scheduled air carriers, general aviation and airport operations. Air traffic control and international agreements are analyzed.
It introduces regulatory agencies (such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, Transportation Security Administration) and domestic and international aviation organizations and the international rules as established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Specifically it examines issues related to aviation medical cases, the basic principles of liability and aviation insurance; organizing business to limit liability, exculpatory contracts, accident notification, reporting, and investigation; airports and terminal airspace and en route airspace.
Additionally, it covers crimes and aviation security, labor and employment law as related to aviation and introduces Federal Air Regulations (FARs). It provides an in-depth study of FAR Part 107, Part 108, Part 139 and other FARs pertaining to aviation management.
Evaluation
Examinations
Case studies
Presentations
Term paper
MGT550 Airport Security 3 credits
This course instructs students in steps necessary for airport managers to maximize safety and security at their facilities.
It provides an understanding of airport security requirements, rules, and regulations; forming an airport security planning team; developing an airport master plan security annex; coordinating the airport security plan with the crisis/contingency plan.
The course provides information on identifying assets, assessing threats, risks and security risk management options and preparing security risk management plans. Airport characteristics and vulnerabilities are identified, as are the impacts of passengers and visitors on security. The relationship of hangars, locks, perimeter controls, lighting, signage and other identification systems to airport security is also discussed.
In the context of an airport security plan (ASP), students gain knowledge of how to develop such a plan, implement it and continually audit and update the plan. They learn about the need to insure that all personnel, aircraft, facilities, systems, communications and specialty operations are in compliance and trained in the plan and to coordinate the ASP with the airport's crisis/contingency plan. They are also taught about the elements of an effective security audit.
Safety rules as mandated by government agencies and rules such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, OSHA, the EPA and the Patriot Act are discussed.
Evaluation
Examinations
Case studies
Presentations
Term paper
MGT555 Aviation Economics And Finance 3 credits
This course provides a comprehensive analysis of airport economics and financial management. Principles of macro and micro economics will be addressed as they pertain to course material. Market and cost structures, utilization of equipment and human resources, and pricing models will be explored. Financial management will be examined from the perspective of equipment purchase versus leasing and investment options.
The course takes an overall look at the structure of air transportation, including airlines, general aviation, and airports; entry and exit factors for airlines and Fixed Base Operations (FBO) costs of service; costs of FBO operations; the demand for airline and general aviation services; airline and FBO rate structures and ratemaking factors; airport cost structures and ratemaking procedures; capacity management; market segmentation; demand forecasting; regulatory impact on commercial and general aviation; profits, cash flow and marketing; and revenue management. The unique economic factors of aviation-domestic and international; general and commercial--will also be discussed.
Evaluation
Examinations
Assignments
Presentations
MGT565 Marketing And Public Relations 3 credits
The course covers institutions, techniques, policies and procedures utilized in the planning and execution of activities that affect the direct flow of goods and services from producers to consumers. It introduces a managerial approach to the study of marketing, develops managerial perspective and analytical ability in solving marketing problems, and deals with the management challenge of designing and implementing the best combination of marketing variables to carry out a firm's strategy in its target markets.
It applies marketing concepts, principles and procedures for planning, development, implementation and control of marketing programs in profit and non-profit organizations. Emphasis is on the matching of organization resources and strengths with global marketing opportunities, and strategies to overcome environmental threats. Examination of issues related to promotion, pricing, distribution, forecasting, and management of sales force.
The role and function of effective public relations is addressed, from how to define basic concepts to how the practice is conducted in various settings. Students will gain an understanding of the theory, principles, and processes that guide the practice and their applications to building organization-public relationships in an era of global communication and gain knowledge on the effective branding of a company name and its products.
Additional topics include ethics, social responsibility, globalization, consumer behavior, organizational behavior, decision making, pricing strategies, distribution, and promotion. The legal and social environment within which marketing problems occur is also discussed. The course is designed to encourage a diagnostic management style and an appreciation for the dynamic nature of today's marketing challenges and opportunities.
These issues are particularly pertinent for an airport which is often located in the middle of a community and has to learn to live with and accommodate its neighbors' needs and earn their goodwill.
Evaluation
Examinations
Assignments
Case studies
Presentations
Term paper
MGT575 Environmental Issues 3 credits
This is an in-depth study of the environmental concerns within the aviation industry and how policy and decision-makers can implement effective strategies toward compatibility between the aviation industry and its environment.
This course will cover methods of managing environmental effects of aviation. It presents various environmental issues faced by an airport including legal and regulatory aspects, noise, pollution, weather and the ways that airport management can deal with various environmental situations ethically and profitably.
Meeting the increasing demand for air travel will have a massive environmental impact both on a local and global scale. Aviation may affect air quality and, possibly, weather patterns. To address these consequences, there are a number of steps that aviation businesses have taken. Some have resulted from government regulation. Others have been voluntary. The course examines the patchwork of local, federal and international rules and regulations that address the environmental effects of aviation.
Given the large number of jobs generated by the aviation industry worldwide, it is important to strike a balance between the economic growth and development effects of this industry and its environmental impact. The strides already made in terms of reduction of emissions, decrease in noise pollution and improvements in fuel efficiency need to be maintained and built upon. The course introduces the options (such as technology improvements, emissions trading and internalizing externalities) available to aviation to comply with these requirements.
Evaluation
Examinations
Case studies
Presentations
Term paper
MGT570 Labor Relations 3 credits
The course covers the interaction of labor and management in the organization, emphasizing the impact of labor organizations. Coverage starts at the firm level and extends to national and international dimensions of labor-management relations.
It examines negotiations in labor relations in unionized and non-unionized work places. Issues include pre-employment discussions, collective bargaining, arbitration, mediation, agency, renegotiating contracts, and multiparty discussions. It analyses grievance arbitration, interest arbitration, mediation, fact-finding, and combinations of these procedures including the role of third party intervention.
The course surveys laws governing labor relations and employee rights in the workplace and the legal framework in which collective bargaining takes place, including negotiations for and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements. It introduces the National Labor Relations Act, the history of the labor movement, and the judiciary's role in that history. Additionally, it examines the current laws affecting equal employment opportunity, workers' compensation, occupational health and safety, immigration reform and control, privacy issues, and wrongful discharge. The course also addresses ensuring safe employment practices and developing legally sound policies and procedures. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the legal environment (both legislative and judicial) of the employment relationship in areas such as equal employment opportunity, compensation, and safety.
Particular focus is placed on legal aspects related to labor issues in aviation and transportation.
Evaluation
Examinations
Assignments
Case studies
Presentations
Term paper
MGT500 Research Methods 3 credits
The course introduces both the techniques of research and the use of available information to better address problems in the airport environment. Research design and methodologies are presented. Additional topics are problem formulation, operational definition, statistical applications and decision analysis. A style manual for the preparation of a research proposal is introduced.
It is designed for the student to develop and demonstrate competency in business research methodology and techniques. This course includes a research proposal.
Evaluation
Short projects to culminate in a larger research paper, which would form the basis for the thesis or masters project.
MGT601 Master Project 3 credits
The student who wishes to investigate areas of interest not sufficiently covered in coursework, may elect to do one or more projects under faculty supervision. The topic for each project must ordinarily be a current one in an area of aviation management. The proposal and completed projects will be evaluated by a faculty committee and be kept on permanent file in the library.
This course integrates the skills and knowledge developed in earlier courses and emphasizes case analysis. Formulation and implementation of strategies are stressed. Problems are examined using research techniques introduced in earlier courses.
Students are encouraged to study and analyse current topics on the leading edge of business. The course develops an understanding of the formulation and implementation of strategies and policies within the aviation environment and requires the integration of material from other courses.
MGT600 Thesis 4 credits
The student who wishes to conduct advanced research in an area of interest may elect to write a thesis under faculty supervision. This enhances the student's powers of quantitative and qualitative analysis as well as formal exposition. The topic for research must ordinarily be a current problem in the aviation business and must lend itself to empirical analysis. Library research, personal interviews, opinion surveys and other methods will be used to analyze the problem. The finished thesis will be evaluated by a faculty committee and be kept on permanent file in the College library.
Evaluation
Research paper/thesis
MGT495 Information Technologies for Managers 2 credits
A management information system (MIS) is a set of systems and activities used to provide managers with information needed to support planning and decision making. Effective and efficient use of a firm's information resources are facilitated by computer-based storage, manipulation, retrieval, analysis, and presentation of relevant information in a timely fashion. This course provides a basic perspective on the design, development, implementation, utilization, and administration of computer-based information systems; it introduces the application of computer-based information technology to the solution of business problems; it will provide students with the background, concepts, and skills necessary for informed professional use of computer resources including the application of business software to support personal, group, and organizational productivity.
Starting with basic computer literacy, topics covered include systems analysis and design; decision support systems; artificial intelligence including expert systems, fuzzy logic and neural networks; end-user computing; telecommunications including the internet; and the application of information systems to a firm's competitive strategy.
Businesses operate through their information systems, databases, data networks, supply chains, and electronic commerce applications. This course provides an overview of a company's critical information infrastructure and data applications.
Evaluation
Examinations
Projects involving application of techniques/software presented in class
MGT490 Math for Business Applications 2 credits
A review of arithmetic and algebra will be followed by optimization techniques. These include basic linear programming and first order conditions arising in differential calculus.
Students learn how to work with exponents and logarithms, graph linear equations and solve a system of simultaneous linear equations. The course develops skills in graphing functions and ability to understand graphical arguments and solving word problems with an emphasis on applications to management, decision-making and economics.
Working with systems of equations will be useful when students learn the concepts of linear programming. Working with the rules governing exponents should be useful, in working finance problems.
The course will also cover some elements of calculus (basic rules of differentiation and simple optimization), basic statistical concepts (elementary rules of probability; different types of averages such as expected value and the laws governing summation) etc. These concepts will be useful in statistics as well as in finance courses.
Evaluation
Examinations
|
