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SYLLABUS MBA520 Fall, 2006 The Richard Mojena 401-874-4247 (Office) 401-874-4312 (Fax) Office: 205 BALL Hours: After class & 2-3:30 TTh Class Mailing List: MBA520@pete.uri.edu Classes Web Site: www.cba.uri.edu/faculty/mojena/ |
PREREQUISITE
The prerequisite courses are BAC500, BAC520, and MBA500. Your continued enrollment is subject to the satisfactory completion of these prerequisites; otherwise, you will be administratively deleted from the course. Please see me if you think there might be a problem with prerequisites.
TEXT
Ragsdale, Cliff T., Spreadsheet Modeling and Decision Analysis, South-Western, 4th (not 5th) Ed., 2004. (ISBN 0-324-18399-2)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Information is an economic resource that can be managed, as can the more traditional resources such as labor, land, and capital. The program encompasses all aspects of managing information as a vital resource. Our goal is to educate students by providing a body of knowledge concerning the importance and use of information as a key organizational resource. A graduate from our program has the ability to manage and utilize information and related technologies in a constantly changing organizational environment. This includes the technologies, mechanisms, methodologies, concepts, and issues involved in the effective acquisition, manipulation, analysis, evaluation, and presentation of information.
A. Knowledge
This course provides basic knowledge in the methodologies and information technologies that support decision making. The use of PC-based and analytical software for solving managerial problems is emphasized. Case studies and group problem solving are included.
B. Skills
- Quantitative. Quantitative skills include the development of spreadsheets that implement quantitative models such as linear programming, PERT/CPM, and simulation.
- Computer. Computer skills include the development of spreadsheet software and the integrative use of presentation, spreadsheet, and word-processing software; and use of the computer as a communications and research tool over the Internet.
- Communication. Written communication using spreadsheet and word-processing software is required through assignments. Oral communication is practiced through classroom presentations that include the use of desktop presentation, spreadsheet, and Web browser software.
C. Competencies
- Decision making. Examples and assignments emphasize the use of the computer as a decision making tool in the functional areas of accounting, finance, management, management science, marketing, and operations management.
- Problem solving. A variation of the scientific method is used as a problem-solving paradigm that includes requirements, model development, solution, and decision. Group problem solving is emphasized through case studies.
COURSE POLICIES
I like an informal class atmosphere, so feel free to make points, request clarifications, and ask questions. Questions are especially important for two reasons: most likely others have the very same questions; it gives me a better feel for what you're not understanding (and where I'm doing a lousy job).
I mostly work in my home office, so your best bet on reaching me is by email. I’m likely online during the day, every day.
Call me Mr., Dr., or Professor Mojena (Mo.hee.na).
GRADING POLICIES
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Grade for... |
Weights |
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Team case presentation |
15% |
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Team case management report |
25% |
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Individual project(s) |
40% |
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Class contribution |
20% |
The course includes a case that's solved by each team in the class. Each team solves the same case, makes a class presentation of the solution, and writes a report. The team decides how the work will be allocated among its members. Each member of a team receives the same grade. Each member must also participate in the presentation.
The team case presentation is a 15 minute delivery to the class on the team's solution to the case problem. I expect professional delivery and materials. Apply desktop presentation technology (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint) to prepare a screen show. Assume that the presentation is an exercise in presenting a consulting report to managers who are not necessarily technical (read communicate in their language). The team's grade will be based on the quality of the proposed solution, its delivery, and the use of presentation technology.
Remember that each member of the team must verbally participate in the presentation
The team case management report is the written solution to the same case given in the presentation. I will go over the structure and style for this report when I give out the case.
The individual projects are non-team (individual) solutions to assigned case-like problems. The first is on simulation and the second is on project management (PERT/CPM). Each project includes software-based analysis and a written consulting report with recommendations. These projects are submitted online.
The grading scale is 0-100, with some exceptions greater than 100. I view 85 as an average project grade for graduates and grade up or down from that point depending on performance. The grading is not based strictly on right (or wrong) solutions because projects, reports and presentations have elements of composition, style, insight, and creativity. Individual projects have required features, but I also suggest optional features for a higher grade. And you're always free to add any creative extensions and embellishments. Really fine work can crack the 100 barrier.
Tardy reports and projects are penalized at 2 points per day, up to a maximum of 10 points. Late assignments must be turned in by the time the graded assignments are returned. Contact me before the due date if you have a legitimate reason for tardiness.
Much of what you will learn is self-taught, with a little help from the book, the software, and me. Part of this learning process includes posing the right questions and participating in the answers. Many of you have creative insights, discoveries, and knowledge that I would like you to share with me and the class. This is the kind of course where we learn from each other. Over the years I've learned a lot from students. Also, some classes include discussions of current events in the technology industry. Other classes are dedicated to the solutions of assigned homework exercises from either the book or lecture files. I will call on you by name to discuss or present these solutions and will collect printouts that are due. Homework assignments are not accepted late. Your class contribution grade is based on assigned homework, in-class interactions, and online contributions through the class mailing list.
At the end of the course I calculate a weighted average for your numerical grade and convert it to a letter grade based on the following scheme.
93 A • 90 A- • 87 B+ • 83 B • 80 B- • 77 C+ • 73 C • 70 C- • 65 D else F.
To see a summary of past grades for this course open the following file within my MBA520 ftp folder: Grades520CourseAggregate.doc.
ON CLASS SESSIONS, E-MAIL, AND FILES
Many classes will use files for PC-based lecture presentations and software demonstrations that you will download from either the book’s CD or my ftp site through hyperlinks within the schedule for this class. I will not be giving handouts. All lecture material will be electronic. Demonstrations will implement software, primarily but not limited to Excel. Lecture notes and assignments are either hypertext (.htm) or Word (.doc) files. You might want to create a subdirectory on your hard drive or any offline storage medium with a name (e.g., MBA520) for this course.
Print hard
copy of the appropriate lecture file before each class.
(Don’t
forget to print this syllabus.)
This saves
you from tediously taking traditional class notes… and saves class time.
Alternatively, during class, you could open the lecture file on your portable and type in your own notes. (In Word, click Tools Track Changes Highlight Changes... Track changes while editing.)
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Bring the following to each class: Appropriate lecture file, if any, either as hardcopy or
in computer that you bring to class Computer or calculator Textbook (when working exercises in class) |
The Schedule on the last page shows topics, readings, and assignments, as well as file hyperlinks and when to expect specific files. Please check your e-mail before each class, not only for announcements when project files are ready, but also for any changes or explanations for the upcoming class.
Please alert me to any errors or omissions that you find in the lecture, software, and assignment files. This is also class contribution!
GETTING CLASS FILES
- From my URI Web site using a browser.
Bookmark www.cba.uri.edu/Faculty/Mojena/
Click Courses & button under Schedule or Files
Click desired file
File Save As this file on your disk.
- From the
ftp://ftp.cba.uri.edu/Classes/Mojena/MBA520
- From the
CLASS MAILING LIST
The class mailing list is similar to an electronic bulletin board. Any message sent to the list is broadcasted to all members of the list. Any e-mail that I send to you is addressed to the class list MBA520@pete.uri.edu within the To field of the e-mail software. Any reply to these messages is sent to the entire list! If your intent is to just send me or someone else a message, make sure that you specifically address it accordingly (for example, mojena@uri.edu).
You
must subscribe to the class list before the next class.
Do this by sending the following e-mail to the list server, a software package that manages lists. Address the email to:
listserv@pete.uri.edu. (Note: no “e” at the end of listserv)
In the body of the email type:
sub mba520 YourFirstName YourLastName (Note: spaces surrounding mba520, no space within mba520, space between first and last name)
Note that this e-mail is to
the list server. Leave the subject field empty.
The body of the message is just the subscribe
(sub) command. Put a space after sub and another after mba520.
Use your first and last name (NOT your e-mail address), with a space between first and last name. This is the only time that you will send an e-mail to the
list server.
If submitted correctly, you'll get back an e-mail from the list server that confirms your subscription to the list. If you don’t get back a reply from listserv within an hour or so, check your spam/junk folder to see if it’s there. If so, allow listserv email. Reply to this message within 24 hours, with OK in the body as requested, or follow the given link. If you’re a member of the list and not getting messages sent to the list, then these might be going to the spam/junk folder as well. Allow these also.
When I send you a message, I'm sending it to the class list (not the list server). By the way, feel free to use the list for posting and answering questions.
This
is also class contribution!
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Mailing List Posting Suggestions Sign your full
name for any postings you make …unless your email address includes your last name (No credit otherwise) Avoid unnecessary postings, such as “Thank yous” or “Your welcomes” Include a subject in your postings Do not send attachments Explicit solutions to projects are not permitted |
MBA520 TOPICAL OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE*
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Class |
Topics |
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Due |
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Sep 7 1 |
Syllabus.
Team
assignments. First-day team activity
in class. Management science
framework. |
Syllabus. Chapter 1. |
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Sep 14 2 |
Linear programming
(LP) formulations and assumptions. Class
exercises. |
Chapter 2 (pp
17-24). Chapter 3 (Sections 3.8.1-3.8.3, 3.9.1-3.9.3, 3.10.1-3.10.3,
3.11.1-3.11.5, 3.12.1-3.12.3, 3.13.1-3.13.3). |
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Formulate SpaceExpress, exercises 10ad, 15a, 17a on pp. 120-123
before class. Don't try solving these yet.
I'll call on you during class for answers. |
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Sep 21 3 |
Class
exercises. Integer
LP (ILP). Formulations and assumptions concluded. Case
project. (Due Oct 26.) |
Chapter 6 (Sections 6.8, 6.9.1-6.9.4, 6.10, 6.11.1-6.11.4, 6.12,
6.13.1-6.13.4, 6.14, 6.15, 6.16.1). |
Formulate exercises 20a, 21a, 29a on pp.
124-129 before class. I'll
call on you during class for answers. Formulate exercises 9a, 15a, 22a on pp.
295-301 before class. I'll
call on you during class for answers. PC check: Is
Solver installed in Excel's Tools menu? Optionally install premsolv.exe
from text’s CD or ftp
stuff folder. |
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Sep 28 4 |
LP
solutions and interpretations. Excel implementation and
lab overview. ILP solutions: branch & bound. In-class
team meetings for case project. |
Chapter 2 (pp
25-40). Chapter 3
(Sections 3.0-3.7 and subsections on Implementing, Solving, and Analyzing,
pp. 66-102). Chapter 6 (Sections 6.0-6.7, subsections on Implementing,
Solving, and Analyzing, pp. 260-275, 281-284, and Sections 6.17-6.18). |
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Oct 5 5 |
Class exercises. LP Lab exercises. LP solutions and
interpretations: Sensitivity Analysis. In-class team meetings
for case project. |
Chapter 4. |
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Work graphical
exercises in LP2 by hand, before class. I'll call on you during class for answers. Turn in (a) MediaAlt
(step 5 in lab); (b) MediaInt (step 6 in lab); (c) SpaceExpress setup screen showing solution. Hint: Use table setup for SpaceExpress. |
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Oct 12 6 |
LP solutions and
interpretations concluded: Sensitivity Analysis. Class
exercises. Excel implementation
concluded. The Good, the Bad, &
the Ugly; world’s best graphic. In-class team meetings
for case project. |
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Work Excel solutions before class: (a) graphical exercise in LP2;
(b) 10bc, p. 120, by both LP & ILP; (c) 29bc, p. 128, by LP. I'll call on you during class for answers and will collect
printouts. Optionally install sensitivity.xla
from text’s CD or ftp
stuff folder. |
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Oct 19 7 |
Class exercises. Demo: End-user media mix
workbook. Demo: PowerPoint, slide show pointers. In-class
team meetings for case project. |
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Work Excel solutions before class: (a) 9bc, p. 295; (b) 15bc,
p.298; (c) class revision to 15 with $3.9M capital budget.
I'll call on you during class for answers and will collect printouts. |
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Oct 26 8 |
Team case presentations. |
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Team case management report. PowerPoint handouts. |
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Nov
2 9 |
Case
return and discussion. Simulation. Simulation
demo. Individual simulation project. (Due Nov 30.) |
Chapter 12. |
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Nov 9 10 |
Simulation lab review. Simulation
wrap-up: statistical issues, optimization w/Solver, simulations w/ Crystal Ball. Simulation project continued. Simulation
Q&A: Project session. |
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Turn in lab document with typed answers (handwritten answers not
accepted). |
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Nov 16 11 |
Project
management. Simulation
Q&A: Project session. |
Chapter 14. |
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Optional extra credit Excel workbook from case, due by class
time. Send by email. |
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Nov 23 Th |
Happy Thanksgiving! |
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Nov
30 12 |
Project management concluded. Class exercise. Demo: Microsoft Project. Individual
pert/cpm project. (Due
Dec 14.) |
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Assigned project management exercise (p.6 in pert.doc). I'll call on you during class for answers and will collect
printouts. Simulation project due by 6 pm. |
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Dec 7 13 |
Simulation
project discussion. Financial
formula derivations. Excel
financial calculator. Presentation
show: About Your Future. SET: Please bring #2 pencil. |
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Dec 14 14 |
No
class. I’ll be online during
this time. |
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Pert/cpm project due by 9 pm. |
*Please check your e-mail before each class for files and topic or
schedule changes, if any.
Case and project files are usually UNavailable before their corresponding dates.
Best to save Excel files and reopen in Excel.
