MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
BA-3504
Management Science
Spring 2015
Instructor Information:
Title/Name: Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Sinan Gönül
Office: Department of Business Administration, H-120, METU
E-mail Address: msgonul@metu.edu.tr
Personal Website: www.metu.edu.tr/~msgonul
Office Phone: 210 2034
Office Hours: Tuesday 14:45 - 16.45
Course Information:
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Credit / ECTS: (3-0)3 / 6.0
Class Days: Tuesday & Thursday
Class Hours: Tuesday 8.45 - 10.00 ; Thursday 14.45 - 16.00
Location of the Class: Department of Business Administration, G Building
Lab/Studio Hours & Location: None
Course Assistant: Res. Assist. Öykü Arkan & Res. Assist. Ali Özarslan
Course Website:
www.metu.edu.tr/~msgonul
Course Description:
Management science deals with the presentation and conversion of real-life
problems into quantitative models. Through these quantitative models, we can apply
mathematical/statistical techniques and attain recommendations about the solution of
the problem. In turn, by interpreting these recommendations, we gain insight and
guidance about how to overcome that problem. Management science serves as an
important consultant for real-life managerial decision making.
Management science has a sophisticated mathematical and statistical
background underlying its models and tools. However, having a managerial
perspective, we will not dive so much into this theory, but remain highly on the
application side. We will define a problem, construct its model and feed it into the
computer. Then we will let the computer solve the problem.
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Format of the class:
The course will be based on in-class lectures.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course the students will be able to
 attain an understanding on the basic theories of management
science/quantitative modeling/operations research
 develop the analytical and critical thinking skills to model a
business/management problem
 solve the management science models by using computer programs
 interpret the solutions of the management science models developed
Course Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course the students will be able to
 make sense of linear programming models and its derivatives such as
integer programming and goal-programming
 make sense of sensitivity analysis of linear programs
 interpret simulation models
 define and isolate decision variables from problem statements
 construct the appropriate mathematical models from problem statements
 code the mathematical models into a spreadsheet program(MS Excel)
 solve the models by using MS Excel’s Solver and RiskSim addons
 evaluate and interpret MS Excel spreadsheet outputs, answer report
outputs as well as the sensitivity report outputs
Tentative Course Outline/Schedule:
I.
Introduction to management science
II.
Linear Programming (LP), the graphical method
III.
Linear Programming applications and examples
IV.
Network problems
Review & Midterm 1
V.
Sensitivity analysis
VI.
Integer Programming
VII.
Goal Programming
Review & Midterm 2
VIII.
Nonlinear Programming
IX.
Simulations
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Required Textbook/s & Readings:
The primary textbook for the course is
Managerial Decision Modeling with Spreadsheets, 3rd Edition,
Balakrishnan, Render & Stair, Pearson., 2013.
ISBN : 978-0132969444
Required Course Materials (if any):
MS Excel with Solver add-in, GLP(Graphic Visualization Program), RiskSim.
Supplementary Readings/Resources/E-Resources (if any):
For reference, deeper learning and solved problems, two additional textbooks
are recommended and students are highly encouraged to obtain them:
 Introduction to Management Science with Student CD, 4th Edition,
Frederick S. Hillier, Mark S. Hillier, McGraw-Hill Publications. 2008.
 Quantitative Analysis for Management, 10th Edition,
Render, Stair & Hanna, Pearson-Prentice Hall, Inc., 2009.
Course Requirements and Evaluation/Grading
There will be two midterms and a final examination. The exams will consist of
problems of model construction, true/false questions, multiple choice questions, and
computer output interpretations. Tentative weights for these will be:
Requirements
Midterm I
Midterm II
Final Exam
Other class related activities (i.e., homeworks, attendance, case studies,
in-class assignments and/or business competitions)
Total
Grade Points
30%
30%
25%
15%
100%
University’s Grading Policy:
Letter Grade Coefficient Score intervals
Status
AA
4.00
90-l00
Passing
BA
3.50
85-89
Passing
BB
3.00
80-84
Passing
CB
2.50
75-79
Passing
CC
DC
DD
2.00
1.50
1.00
70-74
65-69
60-64
Passing
Conditionally Passing
Conditionally Passing
FD
0.50
50-59
Failing
FF
0.00
0-49
Failing
NA
0.00
*
Failing
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I
Incomplete
NI
Not included
W
Withdrawn
Course Policy:
Class Attendance and Participation:
Of course you are expected to attend the lectures regularly. To achieve a real
understanding of any course taught, attendance is a must. The lectures will be full of
insights, shortcuts, hints and examples, which can never be learnt from the textbooks or
lecture notes. Therefore, come to class if you are ALIVE!!
Missed Exams/Assignments:
In case you cannot attend one of the examinations, if and only if you can
present an official (dean's or president's office approved) excuse or METU Medical Center
certified Health Report, you will be eligible to a make-up examination. There will be one
single, comprehensive and classical make-up examination during the final period and
it will be counted towards whichever exam(s) you are missing.
Resit Exams:
Resit examination is neither an alternative to the final exam (i.e. a second final exam)
nor a way to improve your letter grade. You can only take it if you fail the course with ‘FD’
or ‘FF’ grade, not in any other condition. You cannot enter the resit exam if you
eventually passed the course with a ‘DD’ or higher grade (even if you got a low mark
from the final exam). Not participating in the final exam and trying to fail the class in
order to enter the resit examination is not a viable option. The resit examination will be
comprehensive, detailed and will inquire advance knowledge and understanding, so
any student is strongly advised to participate in the normal semester examinations and
not to try any ‘monkey business’ with the resit.
Late Submission of Assignments:
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Classroom Rules:
 Eating-drinking in a reasonable, non-disturbing and silent manner is allowed.
However, you should take extreme care for not bothering your classmates and
not spilling on the floor and furniture.
 Use of mobile phones, tablets, phablets and laptops for communication and
social media purposes (talking, texting, messaging, Tweeting, Skyping,
Facebook, Whatsapp etc.) is strictly prohibited. They must be taken to silent
mode all throughout the class activities.
 Use of electronic devices, tablets, phablets and laptops is restrictively allowed if
and only if they are used for class related activities such as taking notes and
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
supplementing the lecture. Under all circumstances, they must be used in a
silent and non-disturbing manner.
Use of calculators during class and examinations is allowed, however mobile
phones must never be used as a calculator substitute during examinations.
Tips for Success in the Course:
The crucial point for success in this course is practice, LOTS OF PRACTICE.
This is the KEY!!! I’m certain that you will perfectly understand every problem solved
during lectures and recitations, but that will remain quite limited. They won’t be
enough for the exams. When it comes to solving problems on your own, you need firsthand experience and the consequent proficiency. And this could only be achieved by
solving a lot of problems. Therefore, it is imperative that you acquire the required
textbook(s) and start solving end-of-chapter problems immediately.
Statement for Special Needs Students:
http://engelsiz.metu.edu.tr/en/
University Policies:
Academic Rules and Regulations For Undergraduate Study
http://oidb.metu.edu.tr/en/middle-east-technical-university-academic-rules-andregulations-undergraduate-period-study
Academic Honesty/Integrity/Ethics:
University Honour Code:
http://fbe.metu.edu.tr/metu-honour-code
METU Honour Code
Every member of METU community adopts the following honour code as one of the core
principles of academic life and strives to develop an academic environment where continuous
adherence to this code is promoted.
"The members of the METU community are reliable, responsible and honourable
people who embrace only the success and recognition they deserve, and act with
integrity in their use, evaluation and presentation of facts, data and documents."
Academic Writing Rules:
http://www.awc.metu.edu.tr/
Additional Support Services (Library, Computer Center, L&SD…):
These facilities are available all throughout the METU campus. In addition,
Department of Business Administration operates a “Computer Laboratory” and
“TradeMaster Investment Laboratory/Lounge” for its students and has “Muhan Soysal
Library” which is a specialized library for management and business administration.
For details, please visit http://www.ba.metu.edu.tr/
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