Classroom Syllabus
MC 506
QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR MANAGERS
3 Credit Hours
Effective: January, 2009
Instructor: Johan Winbladh
E-mail: jwinbladh@vsm.sk
Office Hours: By appointment
REQUIRED RESOURCES
Anderson, D. R., Sweeney, D. J., & Williams, T. A. (2008). An introduction to management
science: Quantitative approaches to decision making (12th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: SouthWestern.
Research paper guide (2004). Trencin, Slovakia: City University. Available online at
www.cutn.sk/sh or for purchase in the university library.
Access to a personal computer and the Internet is required. All written assignments must be wordprocessed and in APA style.
Copyright 2001-2009 by City University of Seattle
All rights reserved
MC 506
QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR MANAGERS
This document provides an overview of the course foundation elements, assignments,
schedules and activities. For information about general City University of Seattle
policies, please see the City University of Seattle catalog. If you have additional
questions about the course, please contact your instructor.
Notification to Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and you require an accommodation, please contact
the associate dean as soon as possible.
Course Activities
Specific course activities and assignments may vary according to instructional delivery
mode, but they all incorporate and address the same Foundation Elements.
Scholastic Honesty
City University of Seattle expects each student to do his/her own work. The University
has "zero tolerance" for cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on assignments
and papers, using "notes" during exams, submitting someone else's work as one's own,
submitting work previously submitted for another course, or facilitating acts of academic
dishonesty by others. The penalties are severe! A first offense can result in a zero grade
for the course and suspension for one quarter; a second offense can result in a zero grade
for the course and suspension for two or more quarters; a third offense can result in
expulsion from the University. The Policy and Procedures may be found at http://cityuniversity.t7.iway.sk/en/students/scholastic-honesty/policies-and-procedures/ or
www.cutn.sk/SH
In addition to providing your work to the instructor for grading, you must also submit an
electronic copy for the City University of Seattle archives (unless the work is specifically
exempted by the instructor). You will not receive a grade for particular work until and
unless you submit this electronic copy. The procedure for submitting work to the
archives is to upload it via the website http://bb.cutn.sk/cgi-bin/new_upload.pl or
www.cutn.sk/Upload. Files should include the cover page of the work with the student
name, instructor name, course name and number, and date. File names should indicate
the type of assignment, such as “researchpaper.doc”, “casestudy.doc” or “ thesis.doc”
(student name should not be a part of the file name because the system adds it). All files
received into the archives are submitted to www.TurnItIn.com for plagiarism checking.
Late paper policy
No late papers will be accepted. Do your work early to manage even if the computer
crashes. Try to be on the safe side. If you for an extraordinary reason i.e. longer period of
illness, need an extension, ask for the extension before the deadline, not after.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
In order to be effective in today’s increasingly complex and computerized business environment,
managers need to use a variety of mathematical and scientific tools for analysis, planning,
monitoring, and decision making. This course covers important quantitative management
techniques, including basic statistics, linear programming, regression analysis, project and
inventory modeling, and decision making and forecasting methodology. By learning the concepts
and how to apply the tools to practical business situations, students will acquire a necessary
foundation for most of the other courses in their MBA programs, as well as for their future
business careers.
LEARNING GOALS
Upon the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Compare and contrast the quantitative and qualitative approaches to management decision
making;
2. Solve linear programming problems to identify optimal solutions;
3. Analyze quantitative case problems and prepare managerial recommendations;
4. Develop network representations;
5. Develop activity schedules for project networks;
6. Synthesize data as part of problem sets;
7. Prepare recommendations for simulations;
8. Evaluate how decision analysis is used to identify the best decision alternative;
9. Develop forecasts using both quantitative and qualitative methods;
10. Solve linear programming problems with the use of a computer software program.
CORE CONCEPTS
To achieve the goals of this course, you will need to master the following core concepts:
1. Quantitative analysis and decision making;
2. Linear programming problems for maximization and minimization problems;
3. Models of cost, revenue, and profit;
4. Breakeven analysis;
5. Graph linear equations;
6. Interpret computer output and solutions;
7. Sensitivity analysis;
8. Network models: Transportation, Assignment, Transshipment, and Production and
Inventory;
9. Project scheduling with PERT/CPM;
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10. Inventory models: Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), Economic Production Lot-Size, SinglePeriod, Quantity Discounts for the EOQ, Order-Quantity, Reorder-Point, Periodic-Review,
and Just-in-Time;
11. Simulations;
12. Decision analysis in the face of uncertainty or risk;
13. Smoothing methods, trend projection, trend and seasonal components, and regression analysis
in forecasting;
14. Qualitative approaches to forecasting: Delphi method, Expert judgement, Scenario Writing,
and Intuitive approaches.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES
As a City University of Seattle student, you have access to library resources regardless of where
and how you are taking this class. To access the resources necessary to complete your
coursework, visit the library menu in the My.CityU portal at https://my.cityu.edu, and the CU
Slovakia library home page at http://library.cutn.sk/ or http://www.vsm.sk/en/services-for-
students/library/
A good place to begin your research is through the MC 506 course resources page in the
My.CityU library. It provides links to relevant journals, books, and Web sites. Search the online
databases for journal, magazine, and newspaper articles. For additional help, visit the Slovakia
library or submit your question in the Contact Us section of the Slovakia library’s web site.
OVERVIEW OF COURSE ACTIVITIES AND GRADING
The grade you receive for the course will be derived using City University of Seattle’s decimal
grading system, based on the following:
Assignments
Case Problems (three @ 15%)
Final Examination
Practice Problems
45%
55%
0%
TOTAL
100%
Please see the current City University of Seattle catalog or consult your instructor for guidance in
determining your decimal grade.
EXPLANATION OF ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
CASE PROBLEMS
The three case problems are described below. For each case, you are to choose one of the
alternatives listed. (Your instructor will assign the cases in class.) The list of cases can be
changed.
The case problems should use the required computer software or other appropriate software
approved by the instructor. For each case problem, you are required to develop a managerial
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report which consists of an appropriate combination of several of the following elements (as
specified in the text): graphical representation of data, establishment of a decision tree,
development of a model, development of a computer program, evaluation of alternative systems,
synthesis of data, summary of findings, and the preparation of recommendations. Your instructor
will provide the specific format and guidelines for your case problems.
Case Problem #1
Choose one of the three case problems described in Chapter 2 of your textbook.
Case Problem #2
Choose one of the case problems described in either Chapter 10 (one case) or Chapter 11 (two
cases) of your textbook.
Case Problem #3
Choose either the case problem described in Chapter 14 (two cases) or Chapter 16 (first case
only) of your textbook.
Grading Criteria for Case Problems
Clear demonstration of ability to employ concepts, methods,
and techniques
Logical and sequential development of results and
recommendations
Appropriate depth of analysis
Appropriate organization and format
Successful problem completion
Grammar, spelling, and syntax
TOTAL
EXAMINATIONS
20%
20%
20%
10%
10%
20%
100%
You should be prepared to answer a variety of types of questions pertinent to the concepts
covered in or suggested by the course materials and assignments. Your instructor will provide
additional information regarding the content, style, and grading criteria for examinations in this
course.
Grading Criteria for Essay Questions on Examination
Clear grasp of major issues posed by the question
Valid arguments; appropriate supportive detail
Appropriate analysis, evaluation, and synthesis
Demonstrated ability to employ terms, concepts, and frames of
reference from texts, lectures, and other course materials
Proper organization and logical flow of responses
20%
20%
20%
20%
TOTAL
100%
20%
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Your instructor will assign practice problems to help enhance your learning of the course
material. The problems are not graded but are to be used for your own feedback and study. Your
instructor will provide the correct answers.
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PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION OF WRITTEN WORK
All assignments submitted for this course should be of professional quality. You should present
each paper in a format that would be appropriate for submitting to upper management.
References should be cited for all facts, ideas, conclusions, and opinions not your own. The
reference page and in-text references must follow APA format.
A proper title page should preface all written assignments. The title page should include your
name, the title of the paper, the name and number of the course, the start date of your course, the
date submitted and the name of the instructor.
Your work should be word-processed on white A4 paper. Pages should be numbered and
calculations as well as formulas shown to support answers where appropriate. Some assignments
may require that your work be prepared on a computer spreadsheet. Spreadsheet data can be put
in a table in word.
RECOMMENDED COURSE SCHEDULE
The schedule for course activities and assignments is below. If you find you are unable to
complete the assignments as scheduled, contact your instructor. Your instructor may elect to
adjust the outline to meet the unique needs of the class.
Note: The specific weekly end of chapter practice problems will be determined by the instructor.
These problems are not graded and solutions are located in the solutions manual.
SESSION TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
1
3 Jan
READINGS
Introduction
An Introduction to Linear Programming
Chapters 1.1-1.5
and 2.1-2.5
Linear Programming: Sensitivity Analysis and
Interpretation of Solution
Chapter 3.1-3.4
Practice Problems
2
4 Jan
Distribution and Network Models
Chapter 6.1-6.4
Project Scheduling: PERT/CPM
Chapter 9.1-9.3
Practice Problems
Inventory Models
Chapter 10.1-10.4
3
10 Jan
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Practice Problems
4
11 Jan
Waiting Line Models
Chapters 11.1-11.3
DUE: Case Problem #1
Practice Problems
5
24 Jan
Simulation
Chapter 12.1-12.3
Practice Problems
6
25 Jan
Decision Analysis
Chapter 13.1-13.5
Chapter 15.1-15.2,
15.5-15.6
Forecasting
DUE: Case Problem #2
Practice Problems
7
30 Jan
DUE: Final Examination
DUE: Case Problem #3
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