Faculty Contact Information:
William G. Stewart, Ph.D.
HQ USEUCOM
CMR 480 Box 669
APO AE 09128-0669
email: bstewart@faculty.ed.umuc.edu | |
Consultation:
| Email consultations may work best. I try to respond to queries within a day, Mondays through Fridays. Otherwise, see me 30 minutes before or after class or by appointment. | |
Required Texts and Readings:
TEXT
Anderson, D.R., Sweeney, D.J., & Williams, T.A. 2004. Quantitative Methods for Business, (9th ed.), with Management Scientist, 6.0. U.S.A.: Thompson Learning.
READINGS
American Psychological Association. 2001. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (5th ed.). Washington DC: Author | |
Supplementary Readings:
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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 quantitative 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 problems, 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.
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Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyze management policy for decision-making purposes.
- Investigate problem identification and definition as a part of problem solving and decision making.
- Generate relevant statistical charts, graphs and models.
- Interpret relevant statistical charts, graphs and models.
- Review elements of statistical probability requisite for management science.
- 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.
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Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
- A 90% and above
- B 80 up to 90%
- C 70 up to 80%
- F Below 70%
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. Hard copies of the catalog are available 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.
Grades for this course will be based on:
- Participation and In-Class Problems 10%
- Problem Sets and Case Studies as Homework 30%
- Midterm Exam 30%
- Final Exam 30%
Class Policies:
-Every class meeting is important. Attendance in class is mandatory. Emergencies, illnesses and duty assignments constitute excused absences. The student is responsible for material covered and assignments missed during an absence. It is the student’s responsibility to coordinate make up work.
-The student is expected to participate regularly in discussions and complete homework and class assignments on time.
-No penalty will be assessed for assignments submitted late due to temporary duty travel or a bona fide family emergency. Grades for other late submissions will be penalized for lack of timeliness.
-A participation score will be assessed based on a student’s active discussion, positive attitude for learning, and communicative, cooperative attitude.
-A student must be prepared to discuss and work with readings during the session for which they are assigned; you must read ahead to be prepared for class.
-The instructor reserves the right to modify the class schedule based on needs of the students and class progress in consonance with course objectives.
-Computer software [Excel, etc.] may be used for homework assignments and case problems. Handheld calculators are the basic tool for both homework and exams. | |
Description of Course Requirements:
Participate in classroom discussions: You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner. Usually this requires two to three hours of additional for every hour of classroom activity.
Problem sets: Problems from the text will be assigned from each topic and chapter. Students may need to use a handheld calculator or a personal computer with Excel software to solve the problems. Assignment submissions may be made with computer-generated printout and/or neatly accomplished handwriting. Grade penalties will result from poorly organized submissions and work that is difficult to read.
Write graduate level case studies: During this course, a series of case problems from the text will be assigned in lieu of one larger paper. These papers will be presented formally using the academic style of the APA. Specifically, that means that student submissions will have an appropriate cover page, page margins, type face and size, page numbering, etc., all following requirements of the American Psychological Association style manual. The case problems are based on larger data sets available to the student on the CD-ROM supplied with the textbook. MS-Excel computer software is required to access the data on the CD. In each assignment, the case problem requires problem solving including calculations, analysis, and interpretation of results. The analysis is often as simple as answering three questions associated with the case problem. Even so, it is expected that the successful student will respond in complete sentences, organizing their responses, citing sources where necessary, and using correct standard English. Data, calculations, and tabular results may be presented either as computer-generated output (preferred) or in neatly organized and accomplished hand writing.
Complete two written examinations: Examination questions will include problems requiring calculations as well as interpretation of computer-generated results to problems. Short essay questions will require the student to display understanding of quantitative problem solving concepts as well as critical thinking applied to quantitative analysis in management. | |
Course Schedule:
This schedule presents 16 units or modules, with each unit corresponding to a half-day, 3-hour session of the weekend class.
Initial meeting:
Introductions
Review of syllabus
ASW text chapter 1: Introduction
Second meeting:
ASW text chapter 2: Probability
Third meeting:
ASW text chapter 3: Probability Distribtions
Fourth meeting:
ASW text chapter 4: Decision Anlysis
Fifth meeting:
Problem Set 1, Case Study 1 due
ASW text chapter 5: Utility and Decision Making
Sixth meeting:
ASW text chapter 6: Forecasting
Seventh meeting:
ASW text chapter 7: Introduction to Linear Programming
Eighth meeting:
Review
Midterm Examination
Ninth meeting:
Problem Set 2 and Case Study 2 due
ASW text chapter 8: Linear Programming and Sensitivity Analysis
Tenth meeting:
ASW text chapter 9: Linear Programming Applications
Eleventh meeting:
ASW text chapter 10: Transportation, Assignment, and Transshipment Problems
Twelfth meeting:
ASW text chapter 12: Project Scheduling-PERT/CPM
Thirteenth meeting:
Problem Set 3, Case Study 3 due
ASW text chapter 13: Inventory Models
In-Class Problems
Fourteenth meeting:
ASW text chapter 14: Waiting Line Models
In-Class Problems
Fifteenth meeting:
ASW text chapter 15: Simulation
In-Class Problems
Sixteenth meeting:
Review
Course Evaluation
Final Examination
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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:
William G. Stewart , Ph.D. Collegiate Professor Business and Management
Dr. Bill Stewart completed the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at the University of Oklahoma, writing a dissertation on perceptions of leadership and management in the Armed Forces of the United States. He received the M.B.A. from the University of South Dakota and the B.A. in International Relations and German from Brigham Young University. He joined the University of Maryland faculty in 1990, after retiring from the U.S. Air Force with service in ICBM operations, as a pilot, and in international politico-military affairs for Germany and the United Kingdom.
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