Faculty Contact Information:
Instructor: Dr. Ken J. Kovach
100 MSS
PSC 37, Box 3414
APO AE 09459
Email: KJKovach@AOL.com
Phone: Phone (+44) 1353 -860 671
Fax: +44 1353 860 671 | |
Consultation:
| Since this is a Distance Education course, students may contact the instructor through direct communications for personal issues and through the course forums for coursework at any time. | |
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:
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 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:
A = 90 -100 points
B = 80 - 89 "
C = 70 - 79 "
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. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, the following are required:
Participation - 30 points
Midterm exam -- 35
Final exam ---- 35
Total -------- 100 points | |
Description of Course Requirements:
Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the face-to-face classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an 8-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most 14-week graduate distance education courses require at least 10 hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.
Participation: Student participation includes active communication, positive attitude towards learning, completion of assigned tasks, and communication. Case study analysis will be assigned by the instructor. Software programs may be used for chapter work; however, no software will be allowed for the exams. For each week, readings, problem work, casework, and other tasks may be identified in the course schedule. Due dates for individual work are established. Participation points will be assessed based on active participation and submission of reports on time. Conference input discussions will be required as part of participation. Study groups may also be assigned. Due dates for required inputs will be noted in the discussions and indicated in the course schedule as well. Quality of responses will be assessed subjectively by the instructor, but length, depth, and presentation of all responses will always be considered. Total value = 30 points.
Examinations: A midterm examination will include course material involving Chapters 1 thru 6. The exam will be an open book exam, valued at 35 points. UMUC policies for exams will be closely followed, as applicable. Student work should be shown on the exam to account for full credit. Even though the right answer may not be given, credit for accurate work will be allowed. A final exam (Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13) will be similarly applied (35 points). The exams will consist of short essays and work problems. Some work problems may be partially answered: the student will be required to complete the answers. The midterm is normally in the 7th week of the course (18-24 Oct 2004) and the final exam will be in the final week (7-12 Dec 2004).
Resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment. | |
Course Schedule:
This schedule presents 15 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.
Course Schedule
The following class schedule will be general in nature in order to allow you to focus on the required material for each session. You are required to read the assigned chapters for the week, review the end-of-chapter even numbered problems and chapter self-tests, and answer specific odd-numbered problems. Note: Review the Appendices in the text for self-test and even-numbered correct answers. Case studies will also be assigned for specific classes.
Week Session Dates Assignments
1 30- Aug 5 Sep
Read Introduction and review all course materials.
Review the Management Scientist program and pages 23-26 of the text. Complete all Conferences established. Review all Course content items.
2 6 12 Sep
Read Ch 1 (course text).
Practice the even-numbered problems and Self-Test items-answers in the back of the text.
Work Ch 1 problems 1, 3, 5, 7, 13, & 17 and submit answers to the Conference area. Do this procedure for all work problems.
Attachments may be used in the Conferences; however, place your NAME on any attachment. Always do this for attachments!
Submit answers to Assignments as indicated. Submit inputs to all Conferences as required. Review Course Content items.
Review MGMT 585 PowerPoint files in the instructors faculty web page (http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~kkovach).
3 13 19 Sep
Read Chapter 2 (text).
Practice even-numbered problems and the Self-Tests.
Work Ch 2 problems 3, 5, 9, 11, & 15: due 19 Sep.
Complete Conferences and review Course Content.
Review PowerPoint presentation files.
4 20 26 Sep
Work Ch 3 problems 5, 7, 11, 19, & 25: due 26 Sep.
Complete Conferences and review Course Content.
Review PowerPoint presentation files.
5 4 10 Oct
Read Chapter 5. Work Ch 5 problems 3 & 9: due 10 Oct. Complete Conferences & review powerpoint files.
6 11 17 Oct
Read Chapter 6.Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests. Work Ch 6 problems 3, 7, 15, 17, & 27: due 17 Oct. Complete Conferences & review powerpoint files. Complete the midterm exam (Chs 1-6) due 17 Oct 2004.
7. Midterm Break!! One week only: 18-24 Oct 2004.
8 25 - 31 Oct
Read Ch 7.
Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests.
Work Ch 7 problems 3, 15, 21, 23: due 31 Oct.
Complete Conferences and review ppt slides.
9 1 7 Nov
Read Chapter 8.
Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests.
Work Ch 8 problems 3 and 15: due 7 Nov.
Complete Conferences and review ppt slides.
10 8 14 Nov
Read chapter 9. Work Ch 9 problems 3, & 11: due 14 Nov.
Complete Conferences and review ppt slides.
11 15 - 21 Nov
Read Chapter 10.
Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests.
Work Ch 10 problems 3, 5, 7 and 15: Due 21 Nov.
12 22 28 Nov
Read chapter 12.
Work Ch 12 problems 7, 15, & 19: due 28 Nov.
Complete Conferences and review ppt slides.
13 29 Nov 5 Dec
Read Ch 13 and review practice and self-test problems.
Work problems 9 and 19: due 5 Dec.
Complete Conferences and review ppt slides.
14 6 Nov - 12 Dec
Open
Review all material since midterm.
Complete Conferences and review ppt slides.
15 6 12 Dec
Complete Final Exam: due 12 Dec 2004.
Complete all remaining tasks required. | |
Academic Policies:
| The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the University's contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism. |
The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: "Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi."
Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course and 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 for the University of Maryland University College since 1993 and also has taught research, statistics, and managerial courses for several other universities. Since 1981, he has taught 460+ graduate/undergrad courses in a variety of subjects. Ken previously served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, first enlisted and then commissioned, in logistics, plans, operations, transportation management, aerial delivery, command staff, and airborne command positions.
Within distance education, he has continually taught over the Internet since 1995 after developing three university programs for Embry-Riddle and one business management certificate program for the National Business Aviation Association. He has developed research guidelines for various universities and serves mainly as the chair on graduate research project committees. Ken is active in various professional associations, to include the American Counseling Association, American Statistical Association, and Transportation Administration. His recent publication was Corporate Aviation Management.
Ken's bachelor of science was from the University of Tennessee in business, Master of Arts in guidance and counseling from Wayne State University, and doctorate in higher education from Nova University. He has a British wife, Sally, and two daughters, Katie and Chris. | |