OMGT 3223 - Spring 2024, Section 008, Bate 3010

Business Decision Modeling 

T-Th 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm 

Course Description / Grading / Attendance / About the Instructor / Course Outline / Class List / Home

Text:

Spreadsheet Modeling for Business Decisions, Kros, 5th Edition, Kendall/Hunt Order the eBook or hardcopy of the text directly from KendallHunt: http://www.kendallhunt.com/kros/ or obtain from ECU Bookstore, UBE, etc.  I recommend the eBook edition of the text, it is less expensive, can be printed (a limited # of times), and weighs infinitely less than the hardcopy version.

Text Website: Website for Spreadsheet Modeling for Business Decisions. Contains Excel Templates, STUDY GUIDE, interactive models, etc. You need to use the code that accompanies the textbook to access the site. If you bought a used text you will have to purchase an access code separately if you wish to access the Online Text Materials.

Software:

Risk Solver Platform (RSP) - a web based version can be found here (this is the best way to access and only way Mac users can use the software) Google Sheets Risk Solver Add-on

- if wanted a full term download included with text is at http://www.solver.com/risk-solver-platform

NOTE:  You can also try @Risk - full term download included with text at http://www.palisade.com/bookdownloads/kros/

Treeplan - included on the Text Website or at TreePlan.com

(NOTE: If you chose to use the demo software instead of the full version, DO NOT download the software until the around date we start using RSP or @Risk listed on the syllabus, this is a trial download that is active for only about 10 days after download. If you download too early it will expire before you can use it for the simulation assignments.)

The College of Business has this software loaded on all computers on 3rd floor Bate (or the alternate computer site) if you happen to be on campus.

Course Description and Goals:

Catalog Description - Managerial problem solving and decision making skills using quantitative methods and computer skills. This course covers the quantitative methods used to formulate and solve problems in business, supply chain management, economics, and the social and life sciences (Prerequisite:  MATH2283).

Think Critically

     Develop skills and judgment in becoming more effective & efficient problem solvers.  Apply the DECIDE framework to identify business problems & solutions.

Value

     Utilize EDGE perspective to evaluate "real life" problems and alternative solutions to quantitative business problems.

Communicate

     Develop skills to effectively communicate quantitative information and recommendations, and to articulate professional, quality written reports based on complex analysis.

Lead

     Demonstrate effective leadership skills to successfully structure and complete collaborative group work.

Laptop Requirement:  The College of Business requires that all students enrolled in a College of Business course acquire and have available a laptop or mobile computer for use in and out of the classroom environment. The laptop or mobile computer must be capable of running Microsoft Windows and the latest version of Microsoft Office. Faculty may also require other specialized software applications. Additional information may be found at https://business.ecu.edu/technology/

Assignments and Grading: Assignments are summarized later in this syllabus. Grading will be calculated roughly along the following guidelines and weights with student to student and student to faculty interaction via ongoing, moderated discussion board/chats (e.g. Homework):

Grading:

Homework	4 @ 5%	20%
Cases - Group Work	2 @ 6%	12%
Quizzes	5 total (drop one) 4@ 10%	40%
Exam	.	23%
Final/Assessment Exam	.	5%

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PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING NAMING CONVENTION WHEN SAVING AND SUBMITTING COMPLETED ASSIGNMENT FILES:

lastnamefirstinitialassignment.suffix

For example, for myself I would name my first homework assignment file:

krosjhomework#1.doc

Be forewarned, I will either send your assignments back to you ungraded or downgrade your work if you do not follow this naming convention.

Homework will be assigned according to the tentative schedule presented. Please attempt every problem and feel free to ask me or your fellow students for assistance. However, all homework turned in must be your own work and missed assignments will receive a zero grade. Late homework will not be accepted.

The group projects are case study assignments on the area of business problem solving. You will receive more information on the content and format of the case studies early in the term.

Quizzes will be given about once every two weeks. The quizzes will cover material from the previous classes and the problems will be straightforward. The lowest quiz score will be dropped, but missed quizzes can not be made up and will receive a zero grade.

The exam will cover material from the text and my lectures. The problems on the exam will be similar to the quiz and homework problems.A missed exam will receive a zero grade. Please make prior arrangements if the exam will be missed.

Final grades will be assigned by letter and will be derived approximately from the grading percentages shown above roughly following the standard +/- scale. I will assign grades on individual assignments according to the ECU +/- scale (A = 4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B = 3.0, B-=2.7, C+=2.3, C = 2.0, C-=1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D- = 0.7, F = 0.0).

Roughly the following grade cut-offs will be used: above 3.7 = A, above 3.3 to 3.7 = A-, above 3.0 to 3.3 = B+, above 2.8 to 3.0 = B, above 2.5 to 2.8 = B-, above 2.2 to 2.5 = C+, above 1.9 to 2.2 = C, above 1.6 to 1.9 = C-, above 1.3 to 1.6 = D+, above 1.0 to 1.3 = D, above 0.8 to 1.0 = D-, below 0.8 = F. Percentage scores will not be assigned.

Attendance: Timely attendance is the responsibility of the student.  There is no penalty for missed lectures.

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Retention Requirements:  Students at East Carolina University are expected to be in Good Academic Standing. For students to be considered in Good Academic Standing, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required. If a student fails to meet Good Academic Standing, he or she will be placed on academic warning, probation, or suspension as shown below.  

Consequences of Not Maintaining Good Academic Standing

Good Academic Standing	End of Semester 2	End of Semester 3
GPA = 2.0+	GPA < 2.0	GPA < 2.0
Good Standing	Probation	1 Semester Suspension

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Academic Integrity: Any academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade and appropriate university disciplinary actions taken. Please do your own work. If you do not understand the academic integrity policy of the ECU Marketing and Supply Chain Management Department please see the instructor.

 

Suggestions: To do well in this class the following hints might help.

1. Complete the homework, quizzes, and exams - correct or incorrect, I will do my best to reward effort.

 

2. Work with others - feel free to discuss problems and methodology on homeworks*.

 

3. Ask the instructor for help and PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS!!!

 

* Exams and quizzes are individual assignments and are expected to be completed without collaboration or discussion with any other student.

East Carolina University seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students requesting accommodations based on a disability must be registered with the Department for Disability Support Services located in Slay 138 (252) 737-1016 (Voice/TTY).

About the Instructor: John F. Kros has a bachelors degree in business administration from The University of Texas, a master of business administration from Santa Clara University, and a Ph.D. in systems engineering from The University of Virginia. He enjoys spending his free time traveling, snow skiing, watching college football, and attempting to locate establishments that provide inexpensive food and liquid refreshment. Suggestions are always welcome!!

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