DMACC

Des Moines Area Community College/ online

http://www.dmacc.edu

Syllabus

Academic Standards Commission

Instructor Information

Name

Sue Markow

E-mail address

skmarkow@dmacc.edu

Phone number

515-964-6389

Office hours

to be determined

Fax number

515-965-7135

Office location

Ankeny Bldg 8, 01-A

My web page

http://www.dmacc.edu/instructors/skmarkow

Course Information

Course title

Quantitative Methods/ Business Decision Making (Spring 2010)

Course number

BUS231

Credits

4.0

Section number

WW1

CRN number

23157

Days & Time

Online only

Location

http://www.dmacc.edu/online/ -- this course is hosted on WebCT

Course description

http://www.dmacc.edu/courses/crsrod.asp
An introduction to management research methods used in business. The application of mathematical models in decision-making. Topics include probability, break-even analysis, inventory control, statistics and transportation models. This is an online course using QM software.

Prerequisites

MAT073, or Intermediate Algebra, or 2 years high school algebra, or dept. permission

Course competencies

http://www.dmacc.edu/competencies

Condensed version:

1. How quantitative analysis is used in business today.
2. How probability and statistics relate to analysis.
3. Different forecasting techniques and when each should be used.
4. How businesses apply decision theory, decision trees and utility theory to their operations.
5. The relationship between variables in a regression model.
6. How inventory control impacts operations and profitability; complex models, JIT and ERP.
7. Linear programming: graphical methods, simplex method, applications, and transportation and assignment models.
8. The differences between linear programming and integer programming.
9. The importance of queuing theory.
10. What role simulation plays in decision making.
11. How network models relate to project control (project management, PERT and other tools).

Important Dates

Chapter work

1 chapter due each week on Tuesday: discussion, homework problems, and quiz for each chapter.

Academic Calendar

http://www.dmacc.edu/academiccal.asp (spring calendar)

Textbooks & Materials

Required textbooks

Shrink-wrapped bundle containing:

(1)    “Quantitative Analysis for Management” 10e by Render, Stair and Hanna (book ISBN is 978-0-13-603625-8) -- textbook is REQUIRED;

(2)   The student CD includes Excel QM (an add-on for Excel), and QM for Windows, which is the software we will use for the class -- this software is REQUIRED.

The bundle is available from the Ankeny campus bookstore. You can either go pick it up, or they will mail it to you. Go to this link to order your book online: http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/bookstore.asp
If you purchase your book elsewhere, be sure you get the 10th edition, plus the software CD. Both are required.

Software applications

You will need to use either the QM software (included with your textbook bundle), or Microsoft Excel 2003 or 2007 (NOT included with bundle), to complete your homework in this class.

If you are a "Mac" person (using a Mac instead of a PC), please let me know. The software that comes with the book is not Mac-friendly.

Access to the Internet is required to take this course online.

Software notice

“All the software used in this class is copyrighted; therefore, it is not for distribution, copying, or personal use.  This software is the property of Des Moines Area Community College.”

Course Policies

Attendance and study expectations

The class schedule includes an outline for class content, and due dates for assignments and quizzes. Students are expected to manage their own time when learning in an online environment; there is no set classroom time or lab time. A reasonable expectation of your time spent would be at least 4+ hours each week (spring schedule).

Plan to sign on several times a week, and work on the course throughout the week. If you plan to sign on at the last minute and try to get it done, you should not be taking this course.

A student may work ahead of the posted schedule, but getting too far behind can make it very difficult to complete the course work. All course work must be completed and turned in to the instructor by the due date listed.

COMPUTER FAILURE is not an excuse for missing assignments, due dates, or quizzes. If your home computer does not work, or if it has "issues", you are responsible for finding another computer to use, or going to one of the DMACC campuses to use one of the labs.

Grading criteria

The final course grade is composed of:

DISCUSSION: each chapter begins with an online discussion thread. “Discussion” makes up approximately 10% of your final grade.

HOMEWORK: each chapter’s content is done individually and includes reading the text and online lecture notes, then solving and submitting your homework problems. “Homework” makes up approximately 40% of your final grade.

QUIZZES: each chapter ends with an online quiz. “Quizzes” make up approximately 50% of your final grade.

The number of points earned by the student, out of the total points possible, will determine the letter grade. (That's 40 points per chapter, 15 chapters, minus low quiz = 580 total points in the course.) The following scale is used:

A               90-100%

B               80-89%

C               70-79%

D               60-69%

F               Less than 60%

The + (plus) or – (minus) will be assigned to the grade as appropriate.

Classroom conduct

Refer to the DMACC Student Handbook: http://www.dmacc.edu/handbook/welcome.asp

I expect you to be respectful to me, and to each other, in this class, even though you are in "cyberspace". If you feel uncomfortable about any aspect of our class environment, it is your responsibility to discuss it with me, the instructor.

Quiz policy

There is an online quiz at the end of each chapter; each is available for a 3-day period. These are open book, but they are timed. Quizzes must be completed by the posted due date and time; no late work accepted, no makeup quizzes given.

You have the option of discarding your one lowest quiz score; you can also use this option if you inadvertently miss taking a quiz (i.e. you receive a zero on one of your quizzes). No other exceptions apply to this policy.

QUIZZES ARE TAKEN BY YOU ALONE. Someone “helping” you is considered cheating and will be dealt with according to DMACC’s academic dishonesty policy (i.e. you will receive a zero for the quiz, and will be reported and referred to the dean of the college, and DMACC's judicial officer).

Late assignments

There are numerous student assignments given during the course. The assignments, point value and due date are given on the course website, and are due as stated. Late work is not accepted, so plan your time accordingly.

Incompletes

Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented evidence as described in the Student Handbook. In any case, for a student to receive an incomplete, he or she must be passing and must have completed a significant portion of the course.

Academic dishonesty

Refer to the DMACC Student Handbook: http://www.dmacc.edu/handbook/welcome.asp

Don't cheat. Don't claim the work of another as your own. These things are unacceptable to me, and to the college, and will be dealt with accordingly. This is an online course; it  requires the same academic integrity as a face-to-face class does.

Being party to cheating, counts as cheating. You still get a zero and you still go through the process for academic dishonesty.

DMACC Information Web Sites

DMACC home page

http://www.dmacc.edu/

Instructor home pages

http://www.dmacc.edu/instructors/welcome.asp

Admissions & registration

http://www.dmacc.edu/potienti.asp

Cellular phone use statement

http://www.dmacc.edu/handbook/polprocedures/cellphone.asp

WebCT

http://www.dmacc.edu/online/
What to do if your WebCT password expires- if your WebCT password won't let you in, it has probably expired. Your WebCT password is tied directly to your DMACC WebMail password, and it expires periodically. If this happens, you must first go to DMACC WebMail, where you are prompted to change your password. Then go back to WebCT, and use your new password to get in.

And if all else fails, contact the DMACC help desk:
call 515-965-7300 or e-mail helpdesk@dmacc.edu .

Student handbook

http://www.dmacc.edu/handbook/

Add/drop dates

http://www.dmacc.edu/registration/add_drop.asp
 

Note: it is the student's responsibility to officially "drop" any course for which they plan to discontinue attendance, by the appropriate deadline. If you just quit attending, it is not automatic- it will still show up on your transcript as an F or W. You must OFFICIALLY drop the course yourself.

Refund policy

http://www.dmacc.edu/refund.asp

Support Services

Accommodations

“It is the policy of DMACC to accommodate students with disabilities.  Any student with a documented disability who requires reasonable accommodation should contact the special needs coordinator at 515-964-6850 voice or 515-964-6810 TTY.”

Services for students with disabilities

http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/disabilities.asp

Contact the special needs coordinator at 515-964-6850 voice, or 515-964-6810 TTY, or the counseling & advising office on any campus for an Application for Accommodation.

Academic & educational advising

http://www.dmacc.edu/advising

Career counseling

http://www.dmacc.edu/counseling

Library

http://www.library.dmacc.edu/

Academic Achievement Center 

http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/academic_achievement_center.asp

Computer labs

http://www.dmacc.edu/helpdesk/pc_labs.htm

Disclaimer

“This syllabus is representative of materials that will be covered in this class; it is not a contract between the student and the institution.  It is subject to change without notice.  Any potential exceptions to stated policies and requirements will be addressed on an individual basis, and only for reasons that meet specific requirements.  If you have any problems related to this class, please feel free to discuss them with me.”