Department of Economics, College of Business
Syllabus for ECON 130.02 Foundations for Business Analytics
M - F 1:00-1:50 PM, Fall 2016, Shaw-Smyser 106/107
Instructor: Chad Wassell
Office: 422 Shaw-Smyser
Office Hours: M - F 10:00 – 10:50 AM or by
appointment
Phone: (509) 963-3056
Email: wassellc@cwu.edu
Website: http://canvas.cwu.edu and
http://www.cwu.edu/~wassellc
Course Description
Role of mathematics and statistics in business and economic decision making; business mathematics
applications including indexing, percentage changes, compounding, financing and accounting; probability
theory and basic statistical analysis; modeling. Credits: (5).
Prerequisite: Either at least 500 on the SAT, 19 on the ACT, a Compass test score of either 50-Pre-Algebra,
26-Algebra, 31-College Algebra, or 31-Trigonometry, or completed MATH 100B or a higher level math
class.
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to give students a better understanding of mathematics and basic statistics,
particularly for use in business and economics applications. In this course students will develop critical
thinking skills, learn how to calculate important business measures (percentage changes, compounding,
interest, mortgage loans, savings, taxes, federal budget, etc.), analyze and describe data, learn about
probability theory and mathematical modeling applied to business and economics. All major concepts will
receive a theoretical treatment during course lectures, but student will have an additional opportunity to
develop practical Excel skills relevant to the course material, via lab assignments.
Course Materials
Bennett, J.O. and W.L. Briggs. 2015. Using and Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Reasoning
Approach. 6th Ed. Pearson.
Instructor will do his best to post PowerPoint slides and other supplementary information on Canvas.
1
Course Learning Outcomes
After completing this course the students will:
Course Learning Outcome Description
Quantitative Skills
General Education Outcome
1. Develop critical thinking skills by applying basic
components of logic to business decision making.
2. Demonstrate competence in basic mathematical
modeling by applying models to practical
business decision making situations.
3. Be able to apply various quantitative methods
used in business decision making to real world
situations (i.e. compounding, percentage
calculations, index development, savings and
mortgage calculations)
4. Demonstrate competence in basic probability
theory by analyzing distributions and making
basic statistical inferences
5. Be able to analyze simple data by developing
summary statistics and graphs.
BQS 6.
BQS 1, BQS 2.
BQS 3, BQS 4.
BQS 5.
Detailed Course Requirements
Examination
There will be a series of eight quizzes during the quarter. The quiz portion of the final grade (42%) is
compromised of the highest scoring six out of eight quizzes. All quizzes have equal weight (7%) of
the final course grade. Each quiz will consist of 25 multiple choice questions, each worth one point,
for a total of 25 points per quiz. Quiz guide will be provided for each quiz. Students who are not
present for quizzes due to absence, being late, or leaving class early will not be allowed to complete
these quizzes. There will be no make-up quizzes under any circumstances. Quizzes are scheduled for
the following times:
Quiz
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Day and Date
Tuesday, October 6th
Tuesday, October 13th
Tuesday, October 20th
Tuesday, October 27th
Tuesday, November 3rd
Tuesday, November 10th
Tuesday, November 17th
Friday, December 4th
Week
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Textbook Units
1A,1B,1C,1D,1E,3A,3D
4A,4B,4C
4D,4E,4F
5A,5B,5C,5D
5E,6A,6B
6C,6D,7A,7B
7C,7D,7E,8A
8B,8C,9A,9B,9C
The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th, from noon to 2 PM, in our classroom (ShawSmyser 106). The final exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions, each worth one point for a
2
total of 100 points. It is cumulative, accounts for 18% of the final grade and participation is
mandatory to pass the class. Final exam guide will be provided.
Homework Assignments
Homework assignments are administered through MyMathLab on a roughly weekly basis. There will
be 8 assignments during the quarter – one per quiz. As a whole, they account for 30% of the final
course grade, each assignment carrying the same weight. Each assignment is due the morning prior
to an upcoming quiz. It is highly recommended you work on all the assignments. No late work will be
accepted under any circumstances.
Lab Assignments
During the quarter, we will regularly use computer lab facilities in SHAW 118. Each lab session will
consist of a brief presentation followed by an Excel based lab assignment. Each lab assignment is due
a week after the lab and is worth 10 points. As a whole lab assignments are worth 10% of the final
course grade. Through these activities students will gain working knowledge of Excel functions
relevant to the course material. Students are encouraged to work in groups, but have to turn in their
original work. The lab sessions are scheduled for following times in SHAW 118.
Lab
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Day and Date
Friday, October 9th
Friday, October 16th
Friday, October 23rd
Friday, October 30th
Friday, November 6th
Friday, November 13th
Friday, November 20th
Tuesday, December 1st
Week
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Textbook Units
3A,3D, 4A,4B
4C,4D,4E,4F
5C,5D
5E,6A,6B
6C,6D,7A,7B
7C,7D,7E
8A,8B,8C
9A,9B,9C
Course Grading/Method of Evaluation
Students’ grades will be assessed based on quizzes, homework assignments, lab assignments and the final
exam:
Type
Percent of Final Course Grade
Six Quizzes (Out of Eight)
42%
Eight Homework Assignments
30%
Eight Lab Assignments
10%
Final Exam
18%
The following table lists the minimum percentages necessary to achieve each letter grade. I will never
raise the minimum, but I do reserve the right to lower the minimum requirements for each grade.
A
92.5-100%
C
72.5-77.499%
A- 90.0-92.499% C70.0-72.499%
B+ 87.5-89.999% D+ 67.5-69.999%
B
82.5-87.499% D
62.5-67.499%
B- 80.0-82.499% D60.0-62.499%
C+ 77.5-79.999% F
Below 60%
3
Detailed Course Outline
Time
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Textbook Unit
1A Recognizing Fallacies
1B Propositions and Truth Values
1C Sets and Venn Diagrams
1D Analyzing Arguments
1E Critical Thinking in Everyday Life
3A Uses and Abuses of Percentages
3D Index Numbers: The CPI and Beyond
4A Taking Control of Your Finances
4B The Power of Compounding
4C Savings Plans and Investments
4D Loan Payments, Credit Cards, and Mortgages
4E Income Taxes
4F Understanding the Federal Budget
5A Fundamentals of Statistics
5B Should You Believe a Statistical Study?
5C Statistical Tables and Graphs
5D Graphics in the Media
5E Correlation and Causality
6A Characterizing Data
6B Measures of Variation
6C The Normal Distribution
6D Statistical Inference
7A Fundamentals of Probability
7B Combining Probabilities
7C The Law of Large Numbers
7D Assessing Risk
7E Counting and Probability
8A Growth: Linear versus Exponential
8B Doubling Time and Half-Life
8C Real Population Growth
9A Functions: The Building Blocks of Mathematical
Models
9B Linear Modeling
9C Exponential Modeling
General Education
Learning Outcome
-
Course
Outcome
1.
BQS 1.
1., 3.
BQS 2.
3.
BQS 2.
3.
BQS 4., BQS 5.
4., 5.
BQS 5.
5.
BQS 3., BQS 5.
4., 5.
BQS 3.
4.
BQS 6.
2.
BQS 6.
2.
4
Policies
Student Code of Professionalism
Students are expected to engage in conduct consistent with the professional and ethical conduct
business organization would expect of employees. The expected classroom conduct is consistent
with a general set of behavioral expectations that would apply to a business person while in a
meeting with a client and/or a superior. This includes:
-
Arrive to class on time and remain in class until dismissed by the instructor (if the door is closed,
don’t enter the class)
Turn off all cell phones
Stay awake and alert, with attention focused on the class activity
Avoid side conversations
Consistent failure to follow the above stated rules may result in a lower course grade (a deduction in
letter grade for each offense) or expulsion from the class.
College of Business Honor Code
As College of Business students we pledge to uphold these standards of professionalism and conduct
ourselves in accordance with them. We will not lie, cheat, or steal, and will not tolerate those who
do. Our behavior defines who we are and what we will become.
ADA Considerations/Disability Support Services
Students with disabilities who wish to set up academic adjustments in this class should give me a
copy of their “Confirmation of Eligibility for Academic Adjustments” form from the Disability Support
Services Office as soon as possible so we can meet to discuss how the approved adjustments will be
implemented in this class. Students with disabilities without this form should contact the Disability
Support Services Office, Bouillon 205 or dssrecept@cwu.edu or 963-2171 immediately.
Attendance policy
Attendance is not strictly required, but is strongly encouraged.
Instructor policy on academic dishonesty
Cheating on exams or assignments is not allowed. If you are caught cheating you will receive an F for
the exam/assignment and/or course
Excel
Throughout your tenure in the College of Business, you will be required to complete various
assignments using Microsoft Excel. It is incumbent upon you to have or acquire the skills required to
complete these Excel-based assignments. If you do not possess the required skills, the College of
Business requires that you purchase Slaying Excel Dragons by Mike Girvin (publisher Holy Macro!
Books). Additional help can be found at excelisfun.com. Advanced tutorial materials are also
accessible on the CWU Wildcat Connection through the Microsoft IT Academy link.
Caveat
The above schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of circumstances
beyond the instructor's control.
5
Pearson's MyLab & Mastering
Student Registration Instructions
To register for ECON 130 Foundations for Business Analytics:
1. Go to www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com.
2. Under Register, select Student.
3. Confirm you have the information needed, then select OK! Register now.
4. Enter your instructor’s course ID: wasselljr66364, and Continue.
5. Enter your existing Pearson account username and password to Sign In.
You have an account if you have used a Pearson product, for example: MyMathLab,
MyITLab, MyPsychLab, MySpanishLab or Mastering, such as MasteringBiology.
If you don’t have an account, select Create and complete the required fields.
6. Select an access option.
Use the access code that came with your textbook or that you purchased
separately from the bookstore.
Buy access using a credit card or PayPal account.
If available, get 14 days temporary access. (The link is near the bottom of the screen.)
7. From the confirmation page, select Go To My Courses.
8. On the My Courses page, select the course tile ECON 130 Foundations for Business
Analytics to start your work.
To sign in later:
1. Go to www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com.
2. Select Sign In.
3. Enter your Pearson account username and password, and Sign In.
4. Select the course tile ECON 130 Foundations for Business Analytics to start your work.
To upgrade temporary access to full access:
1. Go to www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com.
2. Select Sign In.
3. Enter your Pearson account username and password, and Sign In.
4. Select Upgrade access from the course tile ECON 130 Foundations for Business Analytics.
5. Enter an access code or purchase access with a credit card or PayPal account.
For a registration overview, go to www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/students/get-registered.
Scroll down to Need a little help? and select a video.
6