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Professor | Chair

Michael Opar, PhD

Michael E. Opar, PhD is a professor of Industrial Engineering in the College of Arts and Sciences. With a PhD in Engineering from University of Iowa, Opar has research interests in problem identification.

Opar teaches quality control, reliability, engineering economics, ergonomics, industrial engineering methods, senior design, simulation.

Contact Us

Contact Michael Opar for information on Industrial Engineering

Hayes Hall 214

563-333-6152

OparMichaelE@sau.edu

Education and Training

PhD, University of Iowa
MSIE, Bradley University
BSIE, Purdue University

Areas of Professional Interest

Quality control
Problem identification

Courses Taught

Introduction to Engineering
Engineering Economy
- Evaluation of private and public sector project alternatives in quantitative and qualitative terms. Cost/benefit analysis. Time value of money and application of this concept to evaluation of economic feasibility and comparison of alternatives. Evaluation methods: present value, return on investment and payback.
Work System Design and Analysis
- Measurement and analysis of work systems. Ergonomics and the environmental, physical, psychological aspects of work. Work measurement techniques including time study, pre-determined time systems and work sampling. Classroom and laboratory experiences are utilized in instruction.
Quality Control and Reliability
- Introduction to statistical quality control methods and systems for analyzing and controlling product quality in industrial and business settings. Design of inspection plans for quality characteristics. Statistical process control charts and acceptance sampling. Introduction to reliability.
Ergonomics and Occupational Safety
- Ergonomics focuses on human capabilities and the interfaces between individuals and their environment. Concepts from signal detection theory, anatomy, physiology and controls are presented and then used to solve design problems in a wide variety of applications. Two lectures and one lab per week.
Operations Planning , Scheduling and Control
- Addresses those activities in an organization that are directly related to producing goods or providing services. Planning, execution, and control of functions are examined. The focus is on organizational processes in which people, capital, and material (inputs) are combined to produce services and goods (outputs). Such processes may be found in banks, factories, stores, hospitals, etc. Subjects include forecasting, capacity planning, operations design, scheduling, and project management.
Senior Design Seminar
- Students work in teams on a significant project involving design or re-design of an operational product, process, or procedure in either an industrial or a service setting. As a minimum, students will consider objectives and criteria, resources, interface with other functional areas, constraints, alternatives, and operational specifications. The student will prepare a written report; and a professional presentation written will be made to the host company.

Professional Service

2019, Childrens Book Council, Panelist, ComicCon, San Diego
2018, American Library Association Annual Conference. "Diversity and inclusivity from the perspective of libraries/publishing/authors in the industry." June 24.
2016, Western Illinois University, Communications Student Society, Panelist. Frontline: Effects of Online Marketing on Teens.
2015, Central States Communication Association, co-presented Exploring the Relationship Between Online Health Information-Seeking Motivations and Patient Narratives for Orthopedic Practice Web Sites.
2014, National Communication Association, Presented Rhetorical Analysis. "Camp Gyno as Carnivalesque."
2014, Western Illinois University. Quad Cities Research and Scholarship Symposium (QCRSS). "Camp Gyno as Carnivalesque."
2010, St. ��Ƶ, Davenport, IA. Panelist. Careers in Public Relations. November 15.

Professional Memberships

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Parish Council, and Marketing Committee, 2016 to present. Assist in parish public relations, digital parishioner communications, and social media strategy for parish.
Women's Connection. Marketing Committee member 1998-2015. Assist executive director with program and national speaker identification.
Public Relations Society of America. President, Quad Cities Chapter, 2000; various board positions since 1995.
"Catholic Mirror," Newspaper of the Diocese of Des Moines, IA, 1992, Editorial Board.

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Michael Opar, PhD

Contact Us

Education and Training

Areas of Professional Interest

Courses Taught

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