Course Description:

The best managers know when to use mathematical tools to support or give insight into a decision. There are many times when the complexity of a decision is such that we as humans are unable to take into account the breadth and/or depth of the problem. Fortunately, computers play an important supporting role in making these decisions, allowing us to focus on the algorithms and the results, not the tedium of the mathematics. The combination of mathematical management tools and computers to solve business problems is the focus of this class. This course is not about learning Excel skills – it is about modeling and analyzing managerial problems on spreadsheets. Working knowledge of Excel will be assumed so that we can focus on the modeling aspects. However, one does not need to be an expert Excel user to benefit from this course. To the contrary, the spreadsheet modeling experience in this course will enhance not only analytical problem solving capabilities but also spreadsheet skills of even an experienced Excel user. The power of spreadsheet analysis has been increased greatly by the development of add-ins and tools with which a typical Excel user may not be familiar. This course will introduce and apply some of these advanced tools. Activities are an important part of this course. This course utilizes kinesthetic, or tactile, education – learning by doing. Although no group work is required, class members will be required to help educate others in their discovery of this knowledge through participation in online discussions.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of the course, the student should able to:

• identify situations in which a spreadsheet model may improve managerial decision-making;
• design, develop, test, and error-correct business spreadsheet models for decision support;
• understand and apply optimization techniques to business models to improve decision making;
• interpret results of models in the context of a business problem and utilize existing models to find solutions to changing situations;

Students are expected to have a basic understanding of business calculations such as revenue, profit, cost, inventory, etc. and their role in business decisions.  Students are also expected to have mathematical abilities consistent with a standard undergraduate degree (through college algebra).

Topics covered within the course include basic business spreadsheet modeling, decision support using spreadsheet models, and optimization of business decisions using spreadsheet models.  Models will be multidisciplinary in nature, stemming from areas such as operations, finance, and management.  The contextual interpretation of results and their use in decisions will be emphasized.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.  This prerequisite is necessary as the modeling and optimization will be taught within that software package.  Excel is the industry standard tool for spreadsheet analysis.  The course assumes working knowledge as time will not be used to educate students on basic procedures.

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm
Please note, some courses do require additional software. Information about additional software can be obtained from the Virtual Bookstore or your instructor.

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

Tests will be administrated periodically via the web.  It will be necessary to use Excel during the exam time to solve problems.  Proctoring is not required.

Grades will be assigned on the scale presented below.  Note that there will be no extra credit available and no rounding up of scores at the end of the course.

A total of 1000 points will be available to be earned on exams, assignments, and participation in the learning community. Based on the points available, the following will be used in letter grade determination:

    A: 900-1000
    B: 800-899
    C: 700-799

    D: 600-699 (may not available at all schools)

    F: Below 600

Additionally, to receive a passing grade of “C” or higher, you must demonstrate a minimum level of individual competency by scoring a 50% or better on either the midterm or final exam.

Points will be available as follows:

Midterm and Final Exam                                     400 points total

Class Assignments                                            400 points total

Participation in Online Community                       200 points total

Exams:

A midterm and a comprehensive final will be given.  While the final exam must be taken and will count for 20% of your grade, a poor score on the midterm will be replaced by the score on the final exam if it improves your overall grade.  If you miss an exam for any reason, you will receive a zero on that exam (which can be replaced by the final if it is the midterm that is missed.)   No makeup exams will be available.  All exams will be open book and open notes.  Exams will require the modeling of a single business problem using Excel and a computer during the exam time.  The model creation part will be followed by a series of questions requiring analysis using your model.  Assignments, practice problems, and the online managerial discussions provide the best mechanism for exam preparation.  No exam questions will require the strict recitation of facts.

Assignments:

Assignments will be due following the expected completion of each module.  The assignments for the semester include: Assignment A Design, test, document, and implement a spreadsheet model to analyze a managerial situation 80 points Assignment B Optimize a production mix model and address managerial issues 80 points Assignment C Resolve a workforce scheduling problem with a spreadsheet model and address managerial issues 80 points Assignment D Resolve a financial problem with a spreadsheet model and address managerial issues 80 points Assignment E Resolve an acquisition or budgeting problem with a spreadsheet model and address managerial issues 80 points       Total 400 points

Class Participation:

Students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course.  Students must use discussion threads and e-mail to communicate with the instructor and other students. Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource, students must check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements, and students must actively participate in threaded discussion events.

Check your Course Calendar for the dues dates for assignments and dates for all examinations. Specific policies will be explained by your instructor.

Cheating and other forms of academic misconduct, including plagiarism, are prohibited. The instructor has the authority to assign a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course in the case of academic misconduct.
Students should use the WebCT mail rather than a personal email address. Emails should not be sent to the instructor under another person's name. Please include a subject line when e-mailing the instructor or other class members. Please ask permission before sending e-mails with large attachments.
Students are expected to learn to navigate in WebCT, keep abreast of course announcements, and complete all assignments by the due dates. If, for any reason, a student has a question about an assignment or realizes that an assignment cannot be completed on time, the instructor should be notified immediately. If technical problems arise, they must be dealt with immediately.
The discussion board and chat room are for class purposes only. Please remember to be courteous to other users at all times. They will be monitored. Make sure that you remember that even though you may not mean to be rude or cruel sometimes e-mails and postings can be misunderstood. Please be respectful and mindful of the instructor and your fellow students. Course netiquette should be observed in all communications.
 

• Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor
• Citation Styles Online http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

If you are having problems logging into your course, timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to the AskRODP website at:

http://help.rodp.org