Faculty Contact Information:
Ken J. Kovach, EdD ph/fax: +44 1353 860 671
PSC 37, Box 3414 KJKovach@aol.com
APO AE 09459 | |
Consultation:
Term II ( 3 Nov 2003 - 7 March 2004)
Availability for consultation is via DE forums or direct communciations during the course period. | |
Required Texts and Readings:
American Psychological Association. 2001. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (5th ed.). Washington DC: Author
Anderson, D.R., Sweeney, D.J., & Williams, T.A. 2001. Quantitative Methods for Business, (8th ed.), with Management Scientists, 3.0. U.S.A.: Thompson Learning | |
Supplementary Readings:
Graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library at http://www.umuc.edu/library/. The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students' research and writing skills.
USEFUL WEBSITE: http://quant.swcollege.com | |
Recommended Journals:
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Course Description:
| Prerequisites: College algebra and either undergraduate statistics or the permission of the Program Director. Acquaints students with the qualitative techniques commonly used in the decision-making process. Sample topics include concepts of decision making and decision analysis, linear programming, sensitivity analysis, transportation and assignments, problem forecasting and time series analysis, inventory concepts, PERT, and mathematical simulation. | |
Course Goals:
As a required course in the policy track of the MPA and an elective in the M.S. in Management Information Systems, this course develops analytical skills necessary to the quantitative analysis of policy proposals and executive decisions. Upon completion of this course, participants should have an understanding of:
The reasons for applying Quantitative decision making in the Public Sector.
Problems in modern decision systems.
Quantitative methods for data presentation.
Quantitative methods of data extraction.
The mathematical basis of forecasting theory.
Models for risk and payoff prediction.
Methods of problem assessment and categorization.
Alternative methods to traditional decision making systems. | |
Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
Analyze management policy for decision-making purposes.
Identify potential new problem areas.
Generate relevant statistical charts, graphs and models.
Interpret relevant statistical charts, graphs and models.
Examine data for cyclical trends.
Apply risk assessment models.
Create a PERT chart.
Manage inventory on a cyclical or non-cyclical basis.
Generate Waiting Line models.
Manage the process of product trans-shipment.
Apply linear programming models.
Determine utility factors relevant to policy success.
Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant sources of decision data.
Execute a multiple regression table, and analyze it.
Apply multicriteria (quantitative and qualitative) methods of decision-making.
Organize, present and explain decision systems to others more effectively. | |
Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
A 90-100%
B 80 – 89%
C 70 – 79%
F Below 70%
Participation (40 points (%): Student participation includes active communications, positive attitude towards learning, completion of assigned tasks on time, and quality of effort. Case study and group work will be required. Software programs may be used to respond to chapter problems/cases; however, each student is required to know and apply concepts as presented in the chapters assigned without software. For each session, chapter work will be required, and individual responses must include quality and completeness. Chapter work will not be graded for correctness; only for participation. Due dates will be established. At the end of the course, total participation of each student will be subjectively assessed based upon number, quality, and depth of responses (overall classwork will be analyzed to determine the median).
Examinations (30% each): A Midterm (30%) and a Final (30%) examination will be sent to each student for completion and submission to the Assignments forum. The midterm will be on chapters 1-6 and the final on chapters 7-10 and 12-13. Exams will be of mixed variety. The midterm will be in the 7th week (15-21 Dec 2003) and the final in the final week (1-7 March 2004). All work will be reviewed.
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade F(a) is used to designate academic failure. F(n) is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog, available online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/publications/catalogs or in your local Education Center. | |
Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:
Participation 40%
Examination(s)
Midterm 30%
Final 30%
Total 100%
A main concern is good communications! It is extremely important that each student maintain contact with the instructor throughout the course period. During these troubled times, one may not be able to contact the instructor; however, a friend, colleague, or other should
be able to provide information as needed. Notify an UMUC rep or the instructor when required. You will be expected to read all materials assigned, practice the even-numbered problems and review the Self-Test problems and complete chapter problems assigned.
Notice will be given of any required changes in sufficient time for work. Incompletes are not automatic and will be considered on a case by case basis: due dates will be established by the instructor only.
Lecture material will be placed in the Course Contents forum, while assignments will be placed in the Conference forum. All items will be numbered for tracking purposes. Questions should be placed in the Conference established; however, personal questions or issues should be sent directly to the instructor. Lastly, for any attachments that you provide (especially for examinations), you must indicate your name on the attachment. Attachments are separated from original messages, so if a file does not identify the person sending it, the file will be deleted. | |
Description of Course Requirements:
Participation (40 percent): Student participation includes active communications, positive attitude towards learning, completion of assigned tasks on time, and quality of effort. Case study and group work will be required. Software programs may be used to respond to chapter problems/cases; however, each student is required to know and apply concepts as presented in the chapters assigned without software. For each session, chapter work will be required, and individual responses must include quality and completeness. Chapter work will not be graded for correctness; only for participation. Due dates will be established. At the end of the course, total participation of each student will be subjectively assessed based upon number, quality, and depth of responses (overall classwork will be analyzed to determine the median).
Examinations: A Midterm (30%) and a Final (30%) examination will be sent to each student for completion and submission to the Assignments forum. The midterm will be on chapters 1-6 and the final on chapters 7-10 and 12-13. Exams will be of mixed variety. The midterm will be in the 7th week (15-21 Dec 2003) and the final in the final week (1-7 March 2004). All work will be reviewed
Questions used for this course may be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam. | |
Course Schedule:
This schedule presents 16 units or modules, with each unit corresponding to a regular three-hour weekday meeting, a half-day on weekends, or a full week of DE.
Initial meeting: (3 - 9 Nov)
Introductions
Review of syllabus
Clarification of goals, objectives and requirements
Orientation to subject
Bio
For this session and following ones, read all assigned material, review related material to supplement the topical issues, complete any Conferences established by the required due dates, and review any Course Content topics provided. Review the Management Scientist software available and read pages 24-26 of the course text.
Second meeting: (10 -16 Nov)
Read chapter 1 of the text and practice all even-numbered problems (answers found in the Appendices). Complete any Conferences established, review the Course Content items, and review the powerpoint files provided in the instructor's faculty web page (visit http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~kkovach and go to MGMT 585 for the files. This practice applies to each session, and this information will not be repeated for the following sessions information.
Complete chapter 1 problems 1, 3, 5, 7, 13, & 17 by 17 Nov and place your answers in the Conference established.
Third meeting: (17 - 23 Nov)
Read chapter 2 and complete problems 3, 5, 9, 11, & 15: due 23 Nov. Complete other requirements as presented above.
Fourth meeting: (24 - 30 Nov)
Read chapter 3 and complete problems 5, 7, 11, 19, & 25: due 30 Nov.
Fifth meeting: (1 - 7 Dec)
Read chapter 4 and complete problems 9, 13, 21, & 23: due 7 Dec.
Sixth meeting: (8 -14 Dec)
Read chapter 5 and complete problems 3 & 9: due 14 dec.
Seventh meeting:(15 -21 Dec)
Read chapter 6 and complete problems 3, 7, 15, 17, & 27: due 21 Dec.
Eighth meeting: (21 Dec 2003)
Midterm examination due 21 Dec 2003!
Have a Happy holiday season and stay safe! BREAK 22 Dec 2003- 18 Jan 2004
Ninth meeting: (19-25 Jan 2004)
Read chapter 7 and complete problems 3, 15, 21, & 23: due 25 Jan 2004.
Tenth meeting:(26 Jan - 1 Feb)
Read chapter 8 and complete problems 3 and 15: due 1 Feb 2004.
Eleventh meeting: (2 - 8 Feb)
Read chapter 9 and complete problems 3 and 11: due 8 Feb.
Twelfth meeting: (9 -15 Feb)
Read chapter 10 and complete problems 3, 5, 7, & 15: due 16 Feb.
Thirteenth meeting:(16 - 22 Feb)
Read chapter 12 and complete problems 7, 15, & 19: due 22 Fe9 and 19: due 22 Feb.
Fourteenth meeting: (23 - 29 Feb)
Read chapter 13 and complete problems 9 and 19: due 29 Feb.
Fifteenth meeting: (1 - 7 March)
Open
Review all materail to date and complete all Conferences assigned.
Sixteenth meeting: ( 7 March 2004)
Final examination: due 7 March 2004.
Course evaluations | |
Academic Policies:
Please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center. | |
Faculty Bio:
Ken J. Kovach has been a faculty member with UMUC since 1993 and has taught for other schools since 1981. His main subjects include research and statistics, management, leadership, and operations. He has taught over 450 higher education courses through the years. Ken previously served in the U.S. Air Force, first enlisted and then commissioned for a total of 23 years.
His duties involved Logistics, Plans, Transportation, Operations, Command and Staff, and Airborne Command. Within distance education, he developed three higher education courses for Embry-Riddle and a business aviation program for the National Business Aviation Association, and taught since 1995 over the internet. He serves mainly as Chair for graduate research projects and is active in various professional associations (American Counseling Association, Institute of Transport Administration, etc). His most recent publication has been Corporate Aviation Management.
Ken's bachelor's of business was from the University of Tennessee, masters of arts from Wayne State in guidance and counseling, and doctorate of higher education from Nova Southeastern University. He is married and has two highly educated daughters, Katie and Chris. | |