Postgraduate Courses

CS52Q: Software Engineering

This course examines some of the different approaches to software construction including objectoriented approaches, formal specification techniques, and prototyping. The various stages in the life cycle of a piece of software, and the tools available for supporting the activities taking place in the different stages of the life cycle, as projects, will be examined.

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CS54U: Data Warehousing and Mining

The primary goal of Data Mining and Data Warehousing are to integrate heterogeneous data stores into one large repository of data which can then be mined to discover patterns and trends which would otherwise go undetected. Because of this emphasis will be placed on the steps involved in building a Data Warehouse and the benefits they can provide to an organisation. Various Data Mining techniques will be studied, in terms of the algorithms used and the benefits they can provide to an organisation.

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CS69X: Decision Support Systems

The course is divided into two sections. The first section will discuss organizational decision-making within a problem-solving framework and examine the role of computer-based models in supporting the various stages of the decision-making process. It presents an organizing framework for classifying various types of organizational problems. Then Simon's model is used to illustrate a normative approach to the problem-solving/decision-making process. The second section of the course discusses knowledge-based decision support systems, with a particular emphasis on Expert Systems. We introduce students to Expert Systems as they offer an alternative solution to solving problems for which traditional solutions do not exist. The different stages involved in the development of expert systems and their relevance to real world applications will be discussed.

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CS69Y: E-Commerce

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a solid understanding of Commerce Principles, strategy and business application in order to enable them to identify opportunities and articulate strategies for employing eCommerce initiatives within their own organizations.

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CS69Z: IT Economics

The primary aim of the course is to introduce students to the importance of financialconsiderations in making decisions related to software; both in firms that develop software and in firms that use software to help them better achieve their strategic objectives. It will provide students with an introduction to the fields of software economics and IT business value analysis, and expose them to some of the tools that they can use to help firms make financially more responsible software related decisions.

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MS60Q: Information Systems in Organizations

This course establishes a foundation for understanding and analysing information in organizations, and its role in creating strategic advantage in companies. It examines the factors which underlie the evolution of Information Technology with the rapid convergence of voice, text, graphics and video technologies with traditional technologies for data processing. The goal is to introduce students to some of the basic concepts and current developments in IT and to examine successful applications of IT to business problems in order to understand how to improve their awareness of the managerial issues raised by IT and its use in inspiring organizational effectiveness.

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MS61R: Organizational Theory and Behaviour

This course introduces the basic concepts in social psychology relevant to the study and understanding of individual and group behaviour in an organizational setting. It shows the information system manager and analyst how interpersonal and structural variables influence job and task performance, individual and group productivity and their impact on the achievement of consistent quality in organizational outputs.

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MS61S: Marketing

This course provides managers with an understanding of marketing concepts, methods and techniques and how these are used to achieve organizational goals. It examines the marketing mix and its application in planning and decision making in private and public enterprises. An emphasis is placed on the design and 4 The option will be available when at least 20 students are registered for each of the courses (MS62T & MS62R). use of information systems for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of sales, distribution and marketing programmes.

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MS61T: Finance

This course provides managers with the basic tools for efficiently using the financial resources of an organization and understanding the objectives of financial management. It focuses on the factors which govern the financial structure, cost of capital, market valuation,sourcing of short and long term funds and dividend, working capital olicies of the firm and methods of capital budgeting. The course will also examine the use of financial databases.

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MS62Q: Decision Models for Managers

This course examines how formal analytic tools and quantitative techniques are used for managerial decision making. It examines the application of statistical concepts and models to decision making under uncertainty and linear rogramming and simulation models under conditional or relatively more certainty. An emphasis is placed on the development of computer based decision aids for managers.

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MS62R: Production and Operations Management

This course introduces managerial concepts and techniques that can be used to achieve flexibility, reliability, efficiency and total quality in operations. Specific attention is paid to the role of forecasting,systems design production planning and scheduling and materials management. The use of information systems in planning, design and
control of manufacturing and service organizations is emphasized.

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MS62T: International Business

The purpose of this course is to examine how international trade and competition affect competitive strategy. Students are provided with techniques for assessing when and how to enter foreign markets and how firms compete hen they have no competitive advantage. In addition the course delves into the role and management of intermediaries (trading firms) as well as exploring how the interaction of firms and governments can affect he terms of international trade.

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MS63R: Project

In lieu of a thesis, each participant in the programme will be required to undertake a project which will entail defining and developing a software system which has real potential for solving a practical problem of significance to managers. The system will require students to draw on their capacity to analyse business problems as well as on their ability to implement the software development tools, techniques and concepts learned throughout the programme.

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MS63S: IT Project Management

The course introduces students to the defining characteristics of IT projects, a variety of project management techniques, the challenges involved in executing IT projects, how to recognize warning signs associated with failing projects and how best to avoid them. The course will also cover management issues associated with different alternatives for sourcing information systems and acquiring infrastructure components.

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MS63T: Governance and Policies

The course will enable students to gain an understanding of IT Governance, policy frameworks and Corporate Governance and how to utilize these strategies to meet key objectives, manage risks, deliver value and measure erformance in an organization. Students will also be introduced to the organizational interventions required to cultivate and sustain an effective, business-specific IT governance model which is an essential tool for deriving benefits and meeting business objectives.

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MS65A: Quality Service & Operations Management

This course is designed to:

Introduce students to the general principles of quality service management in the tourism and hospitality industry

Help students to understand the roles of all stakeholders in creating a culture of quality service management Introduce students to the principles of workplace and job design that will result in consistent and effective quality service management

Demonstrate the importance of effective quality service management for organization profitability and sustainability Explain the evolution of quality service management and specific features such as customer delight and customer love Highlight some of the issues that may specifically affect quality service management in the tourism and hospitality industry

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MS65B: Research & Quantitative Methods

The main objectives are:

to develop and transmit knowledge about research methodologies for postgraduate study in the social sciences and related disciplines, and

to encourage critical thinking as a foundation for subsequent study, employment, and personal development.

Specific competencies to be developed include quantitative, problem-solving, written and oral communication, information technology, and lifelong learning skills.

The course is designed to introduce students to the elements of social research, both quantitative and qualitative, and demonstrate its relevance to the business community. After taking this course the student should be able to

conduct research in their chosen field where the research design is internally consistent and based on a theoretical framework,

understand the nature of methodologies, methods, and processes for the purpose of undertaking research in tourism and related areas, and

develop specific skills for the purpose of conducting a small, independent, original, quality research at the graduate (Masters) level.

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MS65C: Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations

This course is designed to introduce students to the general principles of the behaviour of people within organizations and the best way of managing to achieve organizational effectiveness. Topics will be drawn from the field of organizational behaviour, human resource management and industrial relations.

At the end of the course students will be able to:

Identify and explain the major theories of work and job design and highlight the implications for the management of people.

Describe the formation and operation of teams and groups and show how they can be used to enhance organizational and individual performance.

Describe the process of conflict management and resolution in unionized setting.

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MS65D: Financial & Management Accounting

This course will provide students with a solid conceptual and practical understanding of the disciplines of both financial, and management accounting theory and practice, as well as the opportunity to develop competence in the handling of accounting data in the hospitality industry.

Learning objectives include:

Improve the knowledge and expertise in the preparation of financial accounting statements and management accounting reports in the hospitality industry.

Appreciate the role of accounting data in assisting tourism and hotel managers in planning, controlling and decision making

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MS65E: Management Information Systems

This course examines the theory and application of Information Technology (IT) in organizations with special focus on providing student exposure to the practical aspects of the use of technology in enhancing productivity in those businesses which operate in the tourism/hospitality industry.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

Discuss the role of organization theories in the study of relationships between IT and organizations;

Differentiate between information systems components: hardware, software, and telecommunication.

Discuss E- Commerce and its impact on the hospitality industry.

Explain how hospitality managers can best use information systems to benefit their business.

Discuss the IT challenges that face Caribbean tourism and hospitality organizations.

Develop a basic decision support solution using MS Office productivity software.

Develop a basic website

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MS65F: Tourism & Hospitality Marketing

At the end of this course learners will be able to understand, develop,produce and promote tourism products within companies and agencies within the hospitality and tourism industry.

The General objectives in this course are to:

Understand strategic planning in the tourism environment Understand the needs of customers within the tourism industry

Understand tourism product development Understand how to promote and price tourism products

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MS65G: Sociology of Tourism

This course seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of tourism policies and their actual and potential impacts on the social and cultural fabric of Caribbean societies.

At the end of the course students should be able to:

Perform social impact analysis in relation to tourism development.

Engage in social policy formulation as it relates to tourism development.

Competently discuss sociological theories of tourism and their relevance to Caribbean society.

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MS65H: International Hospitality Business

The purpose of the international hospitality business course is to familiarize students with the globally applicable theories of international business in the context of the practice of management in a small open developing country environment, while also focusing on the key challenges confronting government policy makers and firm managers who are seeking to improve the competitiveness of the tourism and hospitality sectors over which they have responsibility, or the firms that they manage.

The course builds upon the unassailable conclusion that the development of countries in the Caribbean region will rest upon the ability of firms within the region to engage profitably in international business activities.Given the regional dependence on tourism as a growth pole, the development of the Caribbean region is particularly dependent on the success of firms in international hospitality business. To this end, the conceptual theme that will drive the course is the relationship between the processes of economic development and national competitiveness and the theory and practice of international business, with a special focus on international hospitality business.

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MS65P: Strategic Planning in Tourism/Hospitality Business

For the duration of the programme, meetings are held with students to discuss their research paper ideas, provide assistance with the selection of research topics, the assignment of supervisors, and the completion of the research paper. Meetings are not scheduled but are held at least once per semester. Additional meetings may be planned if necessary or as the research paper deadline draws near. Students will be required to produce a research paper in the form of a company report or on an issue of interest to the student in his/her specialization. The research Paper/report must be submitted within one year after completion of all written courses.

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MS65Q: Infrastructure Management

The course has been designed as a framework in which the student can gain a clear understanding of the linkages of economic infrastructure and tourism, and more specifically the tourist transport system. The student will be taught how to analyze the provision, operation and the factors which influence the infrastructure system. The course will ffer a perspective of infrastructure as it relates to tourism which will be useful starting point for research. The underlying theme throughout the course will be that infrastructure, particularly tourist transport constitutes a service which is judged in relation to quality, standards and level of satisfaction it engenders.

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MS65R: Decision Making Under Uncertainty

Decision making is both an art and a science…this in itself, creates the dilemma of determining what component is art and what component is science. These questions must be answered within the context of various uncertain scenarios. There are many who believe that a dependence on one’s intestinal fortitude is enough to address the myriad of business decisions with which one is bombarded each day; however, rationa decision making is more than “gut” feeling. Decision Making Under Uncertainty is designed to address the application of decision theory o the quantitative analysis of risky decision problems. Risky decision problems generally involve large amounts of resources that must be committed to alternatives in competitive and uncertain environments.Examples would include corporate acquisition decisions, new product decisions, major capital investment decisions, choices among alternate echnologies, and choices among alternate destinations. Many of these problems can be conceptualized and structured using the ideas of decision theory. The course therefore provides a structured framework within which the decision maker can make logical and rational decisions, using various decision-making tools. These tools include
Linear Programming, Probability Models, Decision Tree, Utility,Influence Diagram, and Monte Carlo Simulation.

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MS66G: Internship

This working experience is designed for the professional development of the interns where they will be exposed to challenging working environments which will enhance and develop new skills. Students will work with managers within the organization who will expose them to the many aspects of managing a hospitality organization. Persons with prior working experience and those currently employed in the tourism and hospitality industry will be exempted from the internship.

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MS66H: Property Management

This course is designed to introduce you to the general principles of managing the non food and beverage concerns of tourism properties.Rather than focusing on the nuts and bolts of day to day management the course will focus on the strategic aspects of property management. In particular we will focus on creating an experience for the guest through effective management of all of the aspects of property management.

At the end of the course students will be able to:

Explain what is meant by creating an experience for the hotel guest and give examples of how this can be done.

Describe the different types of hotels and the implications for the management of rooms etc.

Describe how the reception areas (actual and virtual) can be used to enhance sales and profitability and to create a source of competitive advantage

Discuss the growing importance of personalized services eg. Concierge, butler etc. and show how they can be effectively used to enhance profitability and repeat business.

Explain why outsourcing of food and other operations has become popular and highlight the implications for hotel managers.

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MS65I: Events Planning & Management

The importance of the events industry lies in its ability to create employment and income, to increase foreign exchange earnings and stimulate business activity within host destinations. In addition, it helps promote the destinations as an international tourist destination. It is therefore the purpose of this course to expose students to the intricacies of planning, managing, facilitating and executing such events.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

Understand the importance of events to the profitability of tourism destinations

Determine meeting objectives Prepare a budget for an event or meeting

Promote an event or meeting Employ effective negotiation techniques in meeting arrangements Discuss legal issues pertaining to meeting management, such as liability, insurance, and confirmation letters

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MS67H: Food & Beverage Management

This course introduces students to the strategic elements of food and beverage management. Students who take the course will be exposed to ways in which food and beverage outlets may be both a source of profit and competitive advantage for the organization. They will also be exposed to the most common pitfalls in successfully operating such outlets and should gain an understanding of why some organizations have chosen to outsource their food and beverage management outlets. The course will also focus on the management of events and examine ways in which events may be used to create both profit and competitive advantage for hotels, tourism entities and the destination. Throughout he course a constant theme will be the requirement to attend to new trends in food and beverage as well as the need to utilize, produce and market indigenous foods and beverages.

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NS60A: Management of Strategic Issues

Students will receive a sound understanding of strategic management in the security sector and will have the ability to employ strategic and critical thinking skills in their work environment.

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NS61A: External and Internal Threats to the Hemispheric Security Environment

On the completion of this course students will be able to understand, analyse and disseminate intelligence on: terrorism, narco-terrorism, new crimes, social and political impact of security threats and the role of civil society in reducing crime and maintaining community safety.

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NS62A: Security and Defence Economics

Students will be able to understand the economic process that underlie, in conjunction with political interaction, various national security and defence resource allocation decisions, from budget-making to procurement to expenditures.

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NS63A: National Security Policy and Programme Analysis

The examination and analysis of how natural security policy is formulated and translated into the national security and defence budgets, programme priorities and force structures from it. The ability to analyse the development of national security policy and use analytical techniques to derive programmes and structures.

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NS64A: National Security Issues

To provide a better understanding of the issues affecting the security forces in the Caribbean. The seminar examines the regional security problems and will seek to provide solutions through the research completed by the students.

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NS65A: New Dimensions of Power and Security in the Caribbean

To present and analyse concepts and frameworks from making the complexity of domestic and regional politics and international relations clearer and more comprehensible. Much emphasis will be placed on the challenges to power politics and the state system.

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NS66A: International Relations and National Security Issues

To provide sound understanding of aspects of international politics, foreign policy and international laws that most affect the operations in the National Security Sector.

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NS67A: Contemporary Governance

This course deals with breaking issues in regional, hemispheric and global political economy and international relations. While historical antecedents are important to deal with the present and future breaking situations, it is also acknowledged that some issues are so new and different that they are unanticipated by path-dependent approaches.

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NS68A: Caribbean Security Perspective- Culture, Deviance and Social Development

The course focuses on isolating, understanding and analysing the various structural contexts that produce conflict, deviance, violence, and ultimately, divide societies. I also give simultaneous attention to the peculiarities in those contexts that inevitably work to prevent or discourage peace.

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NS69A: Research Methods

The principal purpose is to introduce students to the main issues in the philosophy of science and to foster a critical understanding of the main techniques of conducting social science research. The student will also be introduced to the basics of preparing a research paper.

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NS70A: Research Paper

The thesis will be an opportunity to perform substantial analysis on a current security situation and to develop solutions.

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