Business 290

Course Outline

Length of Course: One Semester (14 weeks)
 
Classroom Hours Per Week: 4 hours lecture
 
Number of Credits: 3 credits
 
Prerequisites: 15 credit hours, English 099 and Mathematics 111 or 113
 
Description of Course:
This course provides an introduction to the use of quantitative analysis in managerial decision making: in other words, how to use mathematics, statistics and computers to solve typical business problems. Students will become familiar with concepts and methods such as linear programming, probability theory, decision under uncertainty, network models, and will develop spreadsheet modeling skills. They will also discover how to use such methods to various areas of business.
 
Course Outline:
The main topics are:
  • Linear programming and sensitivity analysis;
  • Network models;
  • Probability theory, decision under uncertainty, and simulation;
  • Spreadsheet modeling.
Week 1: Introduction to Management Science
Week 2: Introduction to spreadsheet modeling
Week 3: Linear programming
Week 4: Sensitivity analysis
Week 5: Transportation and assignment models
Week 6: Network models
Week 7: Project scheduling
Week 8: Probability theory
Week 9: Probability theory
Week 10: Simulation
Week 11: Decision analysis
Week 12: Inventory models
Week 13: Queueing models
 
Textbook:
S.Christian Albright, Wayne L. Winston, Spreadsheet Modeling and Applications: essentials of Practical Management Science, latest edition, Duxbury/Thomson.
 
Transferability:
SFU: Buec 1XX(3)
UBC: Comm290(3)
UVic: Stat 151 (1.5 units)
 
Instructors:
Stéphane Deseau, M.Econ. ( Maine, France), M.Sc. ( Quebec)
Fatin Jallad, B.A., B.Sc. ( Portland), M.Sc. ( New Mexico), M.Sc. ( Arizona)