MGTC 74: Analysis for Decision Making

Wednesday 12:00 – 2:00 pm Section LEC 01 Room MW 120

Wednesday 3:00 – 5:00 pm Section LEC 02 Room MW 160

Instructor:Peter J. Ostrowski
Office:MW 379
Office Hours: Drop-in: 1 hour before and after class or by appointment.

E-mail:

1.0 OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE:

The course is an introduction to the applications of Management Science in decision-making situations involving organizations like manufacturing, service and non-business institutions. Topics include linear programming; integer programming; transportation, assignment and transshipment problems; waiting line models; and decision analysis. Many of the techniques learned involve determining an optimal decision subject to various constraints.

This course involves knowledge, comprehension and application of some of the fundamental management science processes. Emphasis is placed on the description and formulation of decision models as well as the interpretation of their solutions. Throughout the course, students will learn fundamental concepts, tools, and problem solving techniques that can be extended to business decision support processes critical to finance, marketing and organizational behavior.

The student must have capability in and prior exposure to use of spreadsheets, basic statistics, applied mathematics and Internet communications.

2.0 TEXT Book and Communications:

Anderson, D.R., Sweeny, D.J. & Williams, T.A. (2005). An Introduction to Management

Science(11th ed.). South-WesternCollege.

The “Management Scientist Software” included with the text is designed to be self taught. The emphasis, however, will be on the use of Excel with Management Scientist as an alternative. Problem solutions and notices regarding the course are posted on the intranet as well as grades.

Questions reading course material or pedagogy should be asked in the threaded discussion on the intranet only as I will periodically provide comment and reply for the benefit of all students; queries dealing with personal issues may be by direct e-mail to me and marked “Confidential” otherwise they may be posted in the discussion area if they deal with a matter of interest to all students.

3.0 COURSE OUTLINE:

Lectures will normally consist of a topical presentation followed by solutions.

Lecture 1:May 9

Course syllabus

Chapter 1: Introduction

Problems Ch 1: Nowlin Plastics

Lecture2:May 16

Chapter 2: An Introduction to Linear Programming

Problems Ch 2: 11, 18, 35, Par Inc.

Lecture 3:May 23

Chapter 3: Linear Programming: Sensitivity Analysis and Interpretation of Solution

Excel vs. Management Scientist solutions

Problems Ch 3: Modified Par Inc., Product Mix Case

Peter Pumpkin’s Produce Case assignment

Lecture 4:May 30

Chapter 4: Linear Programming Applications

Problems Ch 4: 1, 5, 7, 19, 25, Four Hospitals

Problem Set assignment

Lecture 5:June 6

Chapter 4 (con’t)

Regression Analysis with Excel

Peter Pumpkin’s Produce Case Due

Lecture 6:June 13

Chapter 7: Transportation, Assignment and Transshipment Problems

Problems Ch 7: 1, 5, 19, 23, 24

Lecture 7:June 20

Midterm - Chapters 1-4 and Regression

Lecture 8:June 27

Chapter 8: Integer Linear Programming (and conjoint analysis)

Problems Ch 8: 3, 7, 11, 19

Break Week 

Lecture 9:July 11

Chapter 11: Inventory Models

Problems Ch 11: Bub Beer, 13, 15, 21, 29, 33

Lecture 10:July 18

Chapter 12: Waiting Line Models

Problems Ch 12: 5, 18, 25, 21, 27, 30, 34

Lecture 11:July 25

Chapter 14: Decision Analysis

Problems Ch 14: 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 21, 22

Problem Set Due

Lecture 12:August1

Catch-up and Review

4.0 EVALUATION:

This is a quantitative methods course and evaluation will be based in the first instance in obtaining the correct answer to the question that was asked. Marks will be deducted for minor single step errors in calculation; however, systematic errors (that is, errors persisting through more than one calculation step) will result in at most half marks providing there is evidence that the proper method was followed. No marks will be assigned based on volume of material produced. As well, evaluation is based on the premise that the student has developed mastery of the assigned readings and problems listed in this outline. The grading policy is stated on page 4.

Peter Pumpkin’s Produce Case (Individual) 10%

Midterm Exam 20%

Problem Set (Group) 20%

Final Exam (Comprehensive)50%

Formula and tables as they appear numbered in the text will be given and need not be memorized.

Students should use Excel and/or Management Scientist in executing the problem set. Students have the choice of proceeding with up to 4 other students. No more than 5 students are allowed per group and EACH STUDENT MUST SIGN THE COVER PAGE prior to submission to receive credit. There will be no exceptions for any reason.The solutions to the problem set will be posted prior to the final exam.

5.0 EXPECTATIONS AND MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

5.1 Students are required to observe all UTSC Regulations and Policies.

5.2 Missed scheduled quizzes, exams and deadlines may only be excused by the provision of

documentation supplied by a professional. As well, no more than 25% of the grade may be

excused in this way and still fulfill the academic requirements for the course. Due to large

size of class there is no makeup or substitute assignments.

5.3 Students should conduct themselves with business like deportment. Use of offensive

language is censured.

5.4 Students are expected to attend all lectures as new material and changes to the syllabus may

be presented each week. Students are responsible for all material presented in lectures and

per the course outline.

5.5 Students are responsible for providing their own texts and materials.

5.6 All radio frequency devices turned off during class and exams.

5.7 Students are expected to complete preparations as per the course outline and prior lecture.

5.8 Students are strongly encouraged to seek assistance should course material become for any

reason overwhelming. My office hours and accessibility are as listed above.

5.9 Students are strongly encouraged to ask questions regarding any course material or

terminology no matter how elementary or complex.

5.10 It is incumbent on the student that all listed prerequisites are completed.

5.11 Late policy is as follows: tests and exams will begin at the normal start time of the lecture or

as scheduled by the Registrar. Students arriving late may start the test but will not be

allowed extra time. As well, no late assignments will be accepted. An exception may be

allowed under extraordinary circumstance involving an unforeseen medical condition,

accident or legal circumstance. Documentation will be mandatory.

5.12 Please use a minimum size of 10 point type, 1 ½ line spacing and normal margins for text.

5.13 Assignments will be returned in class or during my office hours only.

5.14 Please use ink and avoid the use of white out for assignments and exams. If you choose to

use pencil your assignment/test will not be considered for re-marking.

5.15 Please note that I am not allowed to give out final marks or to display lists of grades.

5.16 Assignments cannot be accepted by e-mail.

5.17 Students will not be allowed to leave an examination until ½ hour after start and will not be

allowed to start more than ½ hour late. Re-entry into an examination room is not allowed.

Picture identification is required as well as a sign-in process. Seating arrangements will be

posted. Students are expected to prepare themselves for the time duration of the exam.

5.18 Any queries as regards exams, assignments or cases must be asked in a public forum (class)

so that all students receive the benefit of the information.

5.19 Submissions for assignments will not be pre-reviewed. As well, students are asked to keep a

digital back-up copy in case of loss.

Grading Policy:

5.20 The posting of an answer key is not a proxy for a perfect answer but merely the minimum

required to answer the question. There is no possibility of setting down all the good and

excellent responses that display tacit knowledge or are interpretive.

5.21 Privacy regulations do not allow me to discuss or consider marks other than the

student’s own.

5.22 There is a limitation of 10 days for query on grading after a marked assignment or test has

been offered for distributed. The distribution date will be stamped and form the date of

record.Queries will be dealt with in person and in my office and not during class.

5.23 Issues of addition errors or material not marked may be considered after class and will be

dealt with immediately. For remarking a request must be submitted in writing (for quality

purposes) with the exam or assignment supported by “prima facie” justification (that is,

direct citation to an authoritative source clearly supporting the argument). All student

assignments are marked by the same standards without exception in a transparent process.

5.24 Penalty will be incurred for spelling, grammar and simple arithmetic errors. Illegible

responses will not be marked nor will material not indicated as being the unequivocal

answer to the question that was asked.

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