ETW2480
Business modelling methods
Unit Guide
Semester 1, 2015
Copyright © Monash University 2014. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968,
this work may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and
School/Department.
The information contained in this unit guide is correct at time of publication. The University has the right
to change any of the elements contained in this document at any time.
Last updated: 23 Feb 2015
Table of Contents
ETW2480 Business modelling methods - Semester 1, 2015.................................................................1
Mode of Delivery..............................................................................................................................1
Workload requirements....................................................................................................................1
Unit Relationships............................................................................................................................1
Prerequisites........................................................................................................................1
Prohibitions..........................................................................................................................1
Chief Examiner(s)........................................................................................................................................1
Campus Lecturer(s).....................................................................................................................................1
Malaysia...........................................................................................................................................1
Tutor(s)........................................................................................................................................................2
Malaysia...........................................................................................................................................2
Your feedback to Us....................................................................................................................................2
Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit....................................................................................................2
Academic Overview...................................................................................................................................3
Learning Outcomes.........................................................................................................................3
Unit Schedule.............................................................................................................................................4
Teaching Approach..........................................................................................................................4
Assessment Summary.....................................................................................................................4
Hurdle Requirements...........................................................................................................5
Second marking...................................................................................................................5
Return of final marks............................................................................................................5
Assessment criteria..............................................................................................................5
Assessment Requirements......................................................................................................................6
Assessment Tasks...........................................................................................................................6
Participation.........................................................................................................................6
Assessment task 1...............................................................................................................6
Assessment task 2...............................................................................................................6
Examination(s).............................................................................................................................................6
Examination 1..................................................................................................................................6
Learning resources......................................................................................................................................6
Feedback to you..........................................................................................................................................7
Assignment submission...............................................................................................................................7
Online submission...........................................................................................................................7
Prescribed text(s) and readings.......................................................................................................7
Technological Requirements.......................................................................................................................7
Other Information......................................................................................................................................8
Policies............................................................................................................................................8
Graduate Attributes Policy...................................................................................................8
Student Charter...........................................................................................................................................8
Student services..........................................................................................................................................8
Monash University Library...........................................................................................................................8
Moodle 2......................................................................................................................................................8
Disability Liaison Unit..................................................................................................................................9
ETW2480 Business modelling methods - Semester 1, 2015
Topics include business modelling with spreadsheets; the methodology of business modelling; linear
programming; transportation and assignment problems; network models and project scheduling
problems.
Mode of Delivery
Malaysia (Day)
Workload requirements
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per
semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study.
Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled
activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled
activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online
engagement.
See also Unit timetable information
Unit Relationships
Prerequisites
ETW1000 or ETW2111
Prohibitions
BUS2020, ETC2480, ETF2480
Chief Examiner(s)
Dr Akram Hasanov
Campus Lecturer(s)
Malaysia
Dr Akram Hasanov
Campus: Malaysia
Email: Akram.Hasanov@monash.edu
Contact hours: Lectures on Mondays and Thursdays 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
1
ETW2480 Business modelling methods - Semester 1, 2015
Tutor(s)
Malaysia
Dr Akram Hasanov
Campus: Malaysia
Email: Akram.Hasanov@monash.edu
Contact hours: Student contact hours: Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and Thursdays 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Your feedback to Us
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers
and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student
Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The University’s student evaluation policy requires that
every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The
feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied
and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash’s educational strategy, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see:
www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
2
Academic Overview
Learning Outcomes
The learning goals associated with this unit are to:
1. describing business models using concept diagrams and mathematical programming
formulations
2. formulating, solving and interpreting business problems with linear programming using graphical
methods, Excel Solver, duality, sensitivity, and Simplex method
3. formulating, solving and interpreting business problems with integer programming using branch
and bound and Excel Solver
4. analysing simple problems using transportation simplex, assignment method, project
management networks, and network flow techniques.
3
Unit Schedule
Week
Activities
0
Assessment
No formal assessment or activities are
undertaken in week 0
1
Introduction to Modelling and Decision Support
2
Modelling Methodology: Specification and Concept
Diagrams
3
Linear Programming: Formulation
4
Linear Programming: Graphical Approach
5
Linear Programming: Solver
6
Linear Programming: Duality and Sensitivity
7
Linear Programming: Simplex Method
8
Integer Programming
9
Transportation Problem
10
The Assignment Problem
11
Project Management Network
12
Network Flows: Max Flow, Minimal Spanning Tree,
Shortest Path
Assignment 1 Due
Assignment 2 Due
SWOT VAC
No formal assessment is undertaken
SWOT VAC
Examination period
LINK to Assessment Policy:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html
Teaching Approach
Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.
Assessment Summary
Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination: 60%
Assessment Task Value
Due Date
Assignment 1
TBA
TBA
Assignment 2
TBA
TBA
Examination 1
60%
To be advised
4
Unit Schedule
Hurdle Requirements
The learning outcomes in this unit require students to demonstrate in the final summative assessment
task a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in the unit. This is demonstrated by the
requirement that the student must attain a mark of at least 40% in the final summative assessment task.
A student's final mark is normally the sum of the marks obtained in all of the assessment tasks in the
unit. Where a student fails the unit solely because of failure to satisfy the hurdle requirement, a mark of
48 will be returned for the unit.
Second marking
Where an assessment task is given a fail grade by an examiner, that piece of work will be marked again
by a second examiner who will independently evaluate the work, and consult with the first marker. No
student will be awarded a fail grade for an assessment task or unit without a second examiner confirming
the result.
Note: Exceptions to this are individual pieces of assessment contributing 10% or less of the final mark,
unless the total of such pieces exceeds 30% of the final mark.
Return of final marks
Faculty policy states that 'the final mark that a student receives for a unit will be determined by the Board
of Examiners on the recommendation of the Chief Examiner taking into account all aspects of
assessment'.
The final mark for this unit will be released by the Board of Examiners on the date nominated in the
Faculty Calendar. Student results will be accessible through the my.monash portal.
Assessment criteria
Assessment Criteria Grading Descriptors available at:
http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/esg/agu/policies/assessment.html.
5
Assessment Requirements
Assessment Tasks
Participation
Assignment 1
•
Assessment task 1
Title:
Assignment 1
Due date:
TBA
Details of task:
Weighting/Value:
TBA
Estimated return date:
•
Assessment task 2
Title:
Assignment 2
Due date:
TBA
Details of task:
Weighting/Value:
TBA
Estimated return date:
Examination(s)
• Examination 1
Weighting:
60%
Length:
Type (open/closed book):
Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
None
Learning resources
Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html
6
Assessment Requirements
Feedback to you
Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
Assignment submission
Online submission
If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning
system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.
Prescribed text(s) and readings
Text:
Hiller, F. and Lieberman, G. (HL) (2005). Introduction to Operations Research. 8th Ed. McGraw-Hill. New
York.
References:
Winston, W. and Albright, S. (WA) (2010). Practical Management Science, 4th Ed. Duxbury.
Cliff T. Ragsdale (R) (2004). Spreadsheet Modeling and Decision Analysis, 4th Ed. Thompson.
Winston, W.L. and Venkataramanan, M. (WV) (2001). Introduction to Mathematical Programming 4th Ed.
Duxbury.
Jensen, P.A. and Bard, J.F. (JB) (2003). Operations Research Models and Methods.
Technological Requirements
Microsoft Excel Solver which is available through Excel add-ins, some packages of R public domain.
7
Other Information
Policies
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and
students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might
uphold them. You can find Monash’s Education Policies at:
www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Key educational policies include:
• Student Academic Integrity Policy and Student Academic Integrity: Managing Plagiarism and
Collusion Procedures ;
• Assessment in Coursework Programs;
• Special Consideration;
• Grading Scale;
• Discipline: Student Policy;
• Academic Calendar and Semesters;
• Orientation and Transition; and
• Academic and Administrative Complaints and Grievances Policy.
Graduate Attributes Policy
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/
education/management/monash-graduate-attributes-policy.html
Student Charter
www.opq.monash.edu.au/ep/student-charter/monash-university-student-charter.html
Student services
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need
advice and see the range of services available at http://www.monash.edu.au/students
Monash University Library
The Monash University Library provides a range of services, resources and programs that enable you to
save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to www.lib.monash.edu.au or the
library tab in my.monash portal for more information.
Moodle 2
All unit and lecture materials, plus other information of importance to students, are available through the
virtual learning environment Moodle site. You can access Moodle via the my.monash portal.
Where to go for help
If you're stuck, confused or simply not sure how to approach Moodle, there are a number of Moodle
resources that you can tap into.
8
Other Information
Disability Liaison Unit
Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to
discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a
regular basis.
• Website: http://www.monash.edu/equity-diversity/disability/index.html
• Telephone: 03 9905 5704 to book an appointment with a DLO;
• Email: dlu@monash.edu
• Drop In: Equity and Diversity Centre, Level 1, Building 55, Clayton Campus.
9