QA 305 – Quantitative Business Analysis
Spring 2020 Tues/Thurs
8:00-9:15, Section 04
9:30-10:45, Section 05
Dr. Hollye Moss
Office: Forsyth 315D
E-mail: hmoss@wcu.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Wed 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Other hours by appointment
Textbook: Quantitative Analysis for Management, 12e, Render, Stair, Hanna, Hale; ISBN: 978-0133507331
Prerequisite: QA 235 or MATH 170, or equivalent.
Topical Outline:
Forecasting, Queuing, Statistical Quality Control, Resource Allocation, Project Management
Course Objective: To introduce students to quantitative methods used to support organizational management decisions. Upon
successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify the opportunities where quantitative methods can be applied to facilitate decision making.
2. Predict and recognize reasonable results from using these methods.
3. Interpret these results for a non-quantitative audience.
4. Extend your statistical and Excel skills.
Grading:
Your grade will be based upon the following instruments:
Quizzes
20 %
Formal Homework Assignments
20 %
3 tests @ 20% each
60 %
100%
Grading Scale:
92.0 - 100
90.0 - 91.9
87.0 - 89.9
82.0 - 86.9
80.0 - 81.9
77.0 - 79.9
A
AB+
B
BC+
72.0 - 76.9
70.0 - 71.9
67.0 - 69.9
62.0 - 66.9
60.0 - 61.9
C
CD+
D
D-
Grade Definitions
A = Outstanding Achievement
The student demonstrates exceptional mastery of the content. An “A” is an exceptional grade indicating distinctly superior
performance. The student demonstrates unusually sharp insight regarding the content, and every aspect of performance is
exemplary.
B = Commendable Achievement
The student demonstrates above average mastery of the content. A “B” is an above average grade indicating achievement of a
high order. The student has exceeded the stated requirements. The student demonstrates commendable insight regarding the
content, and overall performance is above average.
C = Acceptable Achievement
The student demonstrates average mastery of the content. A “C” is an average grade indicating that a student has performed
satisfactorily in all aspects of their work. The student has adequately met the stated requirements. The student demonstrates
acceptable insight regarding the content, and overall performance is average.
D = Marginal Achievement
The student demonstrates below average mastery of the content. A “D” is a below average grade indicating that a student has
marginally met the stated requirements. The student demonstrates minimal insight regarding content, and the overall performance
is marginal.
F = Failing
The student demonstrates little or no mastery of the content. An “F” is a failing grade indicating that a student has not met the
stated requirements. The student demonstrates insufficient insight regarding content, and overall performance is not worthy of
credit.
Note: A plus (+) or minus (-) indicates performance at the higher or lower end of the grade range.
Formal homework assignments will be given due dates and times. Homework assignments will require the use of computers. Late
assignments will not be accepted. Beyond these formal assignments, other homework problems will be assigned for you to work until
you are comfortable with the methods and formulae. It is to your advantage to work these problems as they will serve as the basis
for quiz/test problems.
Quizzes will be 20-ish minutes and will be closed notes, closed book. Specific dates for quizzes will be announced the class period
before they are given, but for planning purposes, plan on having a quiz every Thursday. (This schedule may be adjusted during the
semester.) Because there will be no make-up for quizzes, your lowest quiz score will be dropped. Cell phones are NOT calculators.
Tests will also be closed notes, closed book. Bring calculator, pencil and eraser. The third test will be given during the final exam
period. Students who miss tests will receive a zero grade, with no opportunity for make-up, unless one of the following conditions has
been met:
(1)
The absence was APPROVED IN ADVANCE by the instructor. This will only occur in rare situations involving sickness,
required participation in official University events, or extenuating circumstances. Documentation acceptable to the
instructor will be required to obtain the necessary advanced approval. STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO GET APPROVAL
IN ADVANCE FOR ABSENCES OF THIS TYPE WILL FORFEIT ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR MAKE-UP WORK.
(2)
The absence was due to a LEGITIMATE EMERGENCY FOR WHICH IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN
ADVANCED APPROVAL. In this situation, the student must contact the instructor as soon as possible and must
provide documentation acceptable to the instructor showing that:
(a) the emergency was legitimate;
AND
(b) advance notification/approval was not possible.
STUDENTS WITHOUT ADVANCED APPROVAL WHO FAIL TO MEET REQUIREMENTS 2(a) AND 2(b) ABOVE WILL FORFEIT
ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR MAKE-UP TESTS. All make-up tests will be given during the final exam period.
Class Conduct:
You are expected to be on time for class. However, if you arrive in class after it has begun, please come in
quietly. I expect you to be courteous to others in the class. All cell phones must be turned off before coming to class. Please leave
your phones in your book bag or purse, or leave them under your desk
Class Attendance: It should be obvious to you at this point in your career that regular attendance is highly correlated with superior
grades. You are responsible for any information covered in class whether you are present or not.
Wait Policy: In the unlikely event of the instructor being late for the class, students are asked to wait for the instructor for 10 minutes.
After that, you may assume class has been canceled. If any class is canceled for any reason, any readings, assignments, or tests
will be shifted back to the next scheduled class period.
Inclement Weather Policy: In the event of winter weather, check the university to web page for announcements. I will make every
effort to be on campus for classes. However, if I am unable to do so, I will notify the class via email. If a student is unable to attend
class due to weather, you are asked to notify the instructor via email as soon as possible.
Computers: The class will be supported with computer work, specifically Microsoft Excel. If you feel uncomfortable with your skills,
there are several sources of help on campus. In addition, I will be using Blackboard for the class. Homework assignments will be
distributed via Blackboard and you will be required to submit assignments in the same manner.
I will use email (Western’s system) to communicate class information or updates. Please check your email on a regular basis. Your
failure to check email is not a valid excuse for not knowing about information that I may have sent out pertaining to the class.
Email: Students regularly communicate with me via email. I have no problem with that. However, I am alarmed at the increasing
number of students who believe that emails to a professor may be written as they would “text” a friend. As business students, you
should practice formal communication skills. I’m glad to offer you opportunities to do so. Please keep your emails “professional”.
Academic Honesty Policy: This policy addresses academic integrity violations of undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate
students should read inside the parenthesis below to identify the appropriate entities in charge of that step of the process.
Students, faculty, staff, and administrators of Western Carolina University (WCU) strive to achieve the highest standards of
scholarship and integrity. Any violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is a serious offense because it threatens the quality of
scholarship and undermines the integrity of the community. While academic in scope, any violation of this policy is by nature, a
violation of the Code of Student Conduct (Code) and will be addressed as outlined in that document. If the charge occurs close to
the end of an academic semester or term or in the event of the reasonable need of either party for additional time to gather
information timelines may be extended at the discretion of the appropriate academic Dean.
General:
This policy addresses academic integrity violations of undergraduate and graduate students. Students, faculty, staff, and
administrators of Western Carolina University (WCU) strive to achieve the highest standards of scholarship and integrity. Any
violation of this policy is a serious offense because it threatens the quality of scholarship and undermines the integrity of the
community.
Instructors have the right to determine the appropriate academic sanctions for violations of the Academic Integrity Policy within their
courses, up to and including a final grade of “F” in the course in which the violation occurs.
Definitions:
Cheating – Using, or attempting to use, unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
Fabrication – Creating and/or falsifying information or citation in any academic exercise.
Plagiarism – Representing the words or ideas of someone else as one’s own in any academic exercise.
Facilitation – Helping or attempting to help someone to commit a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy in any academic exercise
(e.g. allowing another person to copy information during an examination).
Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Integrity Process:
Additional information is available on the Student Success website under Student Community Ethics:
http://www.wcu.edu/experience/dean-of-students/academic-integrity.aspx
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal educational
opportunities for students with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that
provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that students with
disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you
have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources located in Killian Annex or call
828-227-2716. For additional information, visit go.wcu.edu/oar
Mentoring and Persistence to Success (MAPS) Mentoring and Persistence to Success (MAPS) provides support to students
who are first-generation (neither parent has a four-year degree), low-income, financially independent (emancipated youth, homeless
or without consistent residence, or aged out of foster care), or those who have participated in the Academic Success Program (ASP)
or Catamount Gap. For those who enroll, MAPS provides a variety of services, including academic advising, mentoring, and
personal and social coaching. You may contact MAPS at (828) 227-7127 or email maps@wcu.edu for more information. MAPS is
located in 205 Killian Annex.
Academic Calendar This includes dates for all breaks, university closures, final exams, etc. The academic calendar can be found
at https://www.wcu.edu/learn/academic-calendar.aspx
Final Exam The university final exam schedule can be found at https://www.wcu.edu/learn/academic-services/registrars-office/
Course Recording and Broadcasting: Students may make visual or audio recordings (Recording) of any class related content,
using any approved recording device (e.g., smart phone, computer, digital recorder, etc.) upon the prior permission of the instructor
and subject to the following restriction(s). The Recording, along with the video capture of visible course materials (e.g., visible
PowerPoint slides and/or visible lecture notes), shall be limited to the student’s personal, course related, educational use and shall
be subject to all applicable copyright laws and institutional policies. The student may not transfer, transmit, or otherwise
disseminate the Recording to any third party, including classmates, without the permission of the instructor. Any violation of these
restrictions, or any other restriction verbally communicated by the instructor, may subject the student to the provisions of the WCU
Academic Code of Conduct, the WCU Code of Student Conduct or both.
Dr. Moss’s Personal Note: This syllabus is not designed to be intimidating. Nor is it designed to be a list of “Thou shalt not’s”. If
you consistently come to class, consistently keep up with course material, and consistently submit assigned work on time, I expect
you will be ok in this course. Despite what you may have heard about Quant, it is NOT an impossible course. Yes, you will have to
work—perhaps harder than you have in some of your other courses—but I am more than willing to help. In the end, you might even
come to think some of this is “cool”. 
Course Schedule*
Topic
Chapter
Pages
Introduction
1
1-17
Forecasting Models
5
149-156
Simple & Weighted Moving Averages
5
156-158
Exponential Smoothing
5
158-160
Simple and Multiple Regression
4
113-125; 128-133
Linear Programming
7
239-243; 254-258; 263-266
Product Mix
8
296-297
Make vs. Buy
Not covered in this text
Marketing Research
8
293-295
Portfolio Selection
8
303-306
Integer Applications
10
364-370
Sensitivity Analysis
7
266-273
Inventory Control
6
188-191
EOQ w/ ROP
6
191-198
Safety Stock; ROP w/variability
6
206-211
Queuing Analysis
12
435-441
Single Server
9
442-444
Cost Analysis
9
444-447
Multiple Server
9
447-450
Network analysis w/o variability
11
395-409
Network analysis w/ variability
11
395-409
Project crashing
11
414-418
Network Models
9
324
Transportation model
9
325-329
TEST 1: Feb 13
TEST 2: April 2
Project Management
TEST 3: Exam Week.
*schedule subject to change