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MGS3100 Business AnalysisFall 2009 Course Syllabus
Instructor: Julie Liggett De JongEmail:mgs3100@mindspring.com Class Time & Location: 7:30 - 8:45am M/W
ALC224Office Hours: By appointmentPhone Number: 678.321.6526 (8:00 – 5:00 pm)Course Website:www.mindspring.com/~mgs3100 
Required Text
Selected Chapters on Business Analysis, Second Edition, $44.00. If you buy a used textbook,make sure you get the CD that comes with it since you will be required to use Treeplan, one ofthe programs on the CD, for one of your projects.
Prerequisites
You should have satisfied the following requirements before taking this course:
 
Course:
Completion of DSc3100, Mat1070, or equivalent.
 
Computer Skills:
CSP 1-Basic micro computing skills; CSP 2-Basic micro computingspreadsheet skills; and CSP 6-Basic word processing skills. If you need to strengthen yourCSP skills, you can do so through Georgia State's eTraining site:http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwwbt/courses/index.html We use Excel extensively in this class, and you must have access to Excel to complete thehomework assignments and projects. I will share many Excel tips and techniques during thesemester, but this course is not designed to teach Excel. If you don’t have a working knowledgeof Excel, you will fall behind and have difficulty with the projects and homework assignments.
If you do not have a working knowledge of Excel, you should consider dropping the class now and take it only after you have acquired some basic Excel skills.
Course Description & Objectives
MGS3100 provides a frame of reference for using decision making models in an enterprise, andintroduces commonly used modeling approaches and principles. Upon completion of the course,you should be able to:1. Define basic modeling terms, including physical model, analog model, symbolic model,deterministic model, probabilistic model, decision variable, random variable, parameter,performance measure, objective function, revenue, fixed cost, variable cost, overhead cost,sunk cost, demand, price.2. Explain an overview of the modeling process, including types of models, data collection,analysis, and interpretation.3. Analyze a business situation to identify revenues, costs, and other parameters relevant to themodeling process.4. Draw an influence diagram to map the relationships between different variables of interest.5. Build a basic profit model manually and by using a spreadsheet.6. Perform break-even analysis algebraically and graphically, both manually and using aspreadsheet.7. Perform crossover analysis algebraically and graphically, both manually and using aspreadsheet.8. Interpret the results of breakeven and crossover analyses.9. Compare and contrast simulation with other types of modeling.10. Determine when simulation is an appropriate technique to use.11. Use a spreadsheet function to generate random numbers for use in simulation.12. Graph and interpret simulation results.13. Use Excel and Solver to find the “best” solution to a simple problem.14. Define two types of forecasting: Quantitative (causal and time series) and Qualitative.
 
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15. Forecast using simple moving averages, weighted moving averages, simple exponentialsmoothing, seasonal indices, and regression methods (using a spreadsheet).16. Be able to compute and interpret MAD (Mean Absolute Deviation), MAPE (Mean AbsolutePercentage Error), Standard Error, and R-Squared (R
2
).17. Compare and contrast different forecasting methods.18. Interpret the results of different forecasting methods.19. Understand the basic concepts of Quality Management.20. Understand the difference between common cause (natural) variation and special cause(assignable) variation21. Understand how control charts can be used to help manage by exception22. Create control charts for attribute and variable measures23. Understand the “dollar value of information.”24. Define the terms: Decision Alternative, States of Nature, Payoff.25. Compute payoff matrix for a given business scenario.26. Define the criteria for choosing the best decision.27. Compute Expected Value (EV), EV of Perfect Information (EVPI), and EV of SampleInformation (EVSI).28. Construct and solve a decision tree by assigning payoffs to branches, pruning of branches atdecision nodes, and assigning probabilities and calculating expected values at chance nodes.29. Use Bayes’ Theorem to combine sample data with prior probabilities and incorporate these“posterior” probabilities into a decision tree analysis.
Tests
There are four tests this semester (3 tests and a departmental final exam). Tests consist ofmultiple choice, short problems, and short discussion questions and are based on assignedreadings and classroom presentations and discussions. Partial credit will be given for shortproblem and short discussion questions. To ensure you receive the maximum amount of pointson a test, be sure to
show your work
for the short problem questions.Course policies regarding tests are shown below:
•
No-one can leave the classroom after the test has been distributed. If you leave theclassroom
for any reason 
, I will collect your test and you will not be permitted to resumeworking on it when you return.
•
Personal items such as purses, backpacks, books, etc. are not allowed on the desktop orchairs and must be placed on the floor during the test.
•
Computers, cell phones, PDAs, and other electronic gadgets are not permitted during testsand should remain in your backpack, book bag or purse. A simple (no memory) calculator ispermitted, as necessary.
•
Cell phones and pagers must be turned
OFF
 
(do not set to vibrate)
and must remain in yourpurse or book bag for the duration of the test.
•
If possible, spread out during the tests so there is at least one empty chair between you andthe next student. Keep your eyes on your test. If I notice your eyes shifting around duringthe test, I will ask you to move to another location.
•
You can use one page of notes (front and back) and 2 sheets of scratch paper during thetests. You must turn in your notes and scratch paper with your test.Test dates are shown on the course syllabus and posted on the course website. If you have anextenuating circumstance or conflict with any scheduled test, you must discuss the conflict withme as soon as possible but no later than two weeks prior to the test date.
I only give make-up tests for extenuating circumstances so check the course schedule now and plan accordingly.
 
 
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Projects
You will complete three projects during the semester. You will work with a partner on two of theprojects, and you will work alone on the final project. If your partner drops the class or does nothelp with the project, you are still responsible for completing the project in its entirety– so chooseyour partner wisely and be sure to complete the partner assessment form (posted to the website)when you complete the project.Printed versions of projects must be legible and neat. Any documents you submit should beprinted in at least 10 point font. If you can not get an entire worksheet printed on one page, printthe worksheet to multiple pages, properly formatted with column and row headings. Do not usemore than 2 colors in your worksheets. Please do not include report covers. I do not acceptprojects that are hard to read or that do not have row or column headings.
 
Projects are due at the start of class on the dates they are due. Project solutions are reviewed inclass. Firm project due dates are included on the course syllabus and posted on the coursewebsite.
I don’t accept late projects
.
See the course website for detailed project guidelines.
You are
obligated 
to participate fully in each project.
With email, instant messaging, cell phones and the internet, there is no reason why partners cannot work together on projects.
You will evaluate your partner’s performance for each project on the followingelements:1. Provided meaningful input in a timely fashion.2. Provided meaningful input to the project deliverables.3. Accomplished project tasks as agreed upon during project discussions.4. Showed up for team meetings.5. Showed up for team meetings prepared to work.6. Participated fully in team meetings (wasn’t on the phone or the internet for unrelatedreasons, didn’t leave early or arrive late)7. Was a team player (tried to accommodate potential constraints and was cooperative)8. Made an honest effort to contribute to the project.I field questions about assignments
until NOON
the day before an assignment is due
.
If youhave a problem with any assignment, you can send me an email with a detailed explanation ofyour question / problem. Be sure you have first consulted your textbook and your notes
before 
 you email me because I will not respond to your questions if it appears you have not looked forthe answer in the textbook or the classroom notes. I post hints on the website for each project,and you should use these hints to validate the correctness of your models. If your model doesnot calculate these values, then there is a problem with your model and you should review itcarefully to find the problem and fix it. Do not ask me to tell you what the problem is.
Participation
There is a direct correlation between success in this class and committed participation in classactivities. To encourage commitment to class activities, 9% of your grade is allocated toparticipation and participation points are awarded for attendance, classroom quizzes andcompletion of homework assignments.
Attendance
 I take attendance at the start of every class. If you leave early or arrive for class after I havetaken attendance, you may be considered absent.
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