B 7403
Management Science
Spring II 2008
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. O. Johnson
PHONE:
708-957-9606
EMAIL:
[email protected]
FAX:
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Title
Author(s)
Copyright
Publisher
ISBN
Edition
Tools for Thinking
Pidd, M.
(2003).
John Wiley & Sons
0470847956
2nd
Introduction to Management Science: A Modeling
And Case Studies Approach With Spreadsheets
Author(s) Hillier, M.
Copyright (2007)
Publisher McGraw Hill College
0073337978
ISBN
3rd
Edition
Title
This Course Requires the Purchase of a Course Packet:
YES
NO
Argosy University
COURSE SYLLABUS
B7403
Management Science
Faculty Information
Faculty Name: Ona Johnson
Campus:
Contact Information:
Office Hours:
Short Faculty Bio:
Course description: This course provides an in-depth presentation of the tools and techniques of management science as applied to
real-word problems. The subject matter includes linear programming, sensitivity analysis, distribution models, decision analysis,
forecasting, PERT/CPM, financial models, and simulation models.
Course Pre-requisites: None
Required Textbook:
Pidd, M. (2003). Tools for Thinking. (2nd Ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 0470847956
Hillier, M. (2007). Introduction to Management Science: A Modeling And Case Studies Approach With Spreadsheets. (3rd ed.).
McGraw Hill College. ISBN: 0073337978
Course Tutorials:
EasyQuant: Digital Tutor for Microsoft® Excel, Online Access via http://easyquant.swlearning.com for use with the Anderson text.
Technology: Pentium III CPU/ Windows 98; 128MB RAM, printer; Microsoft Office Acrobat (full version), Microsoft Internet
Explorer 5.5 (PC) 5.0 (MAC) or Netscape Navigator 4.08. Norton Antivirus.
Course length: 7.5 Weeks
Contact Hours: 45 Hours
Credit Value: 3.0
Program Outcomes:
1. Research
1.1. Performing – Design, conduct, and justify applied research in a business context using appropriate methodology
1.2. Understanding – Evaluate and apply existing theory and research to current business practice
2. Communication
2.1. Oral – Present orally, complex business information that is concise, clear, organized, and well supported in a professional
manner appropriate to the business context
2.2. Written – Present in writing, complex business information that is concise, clear, organized, and well supported in a
professional manner appropriate to the business context using required format
3. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
3.1. Critical thinking – Evaluate relevance of established theory to current business practice and identify gaps in current literature
3.2. Problem Solving/Decision Making – Given a business situation, diagnose the underlying causes of the situation, evaluate
possible solutions, in relation to underlying business theory and determine and defend appropriate course of action
3.3. Information Literacy - Conduct an exhaustive literature search from a variety of sources, evaluate the credibility of the
sources, and apply that information to create new knowledge
4. Team
4.1. Leadership - Conduct an exhaustive literature search from a variety of sources, evaluate the credibility of the sources, and
apply that information to create new knowledge
4.2. Collaboration - Given a case study or business situation collect, assimilate, and disseminate the views of stakeholders
5. Ethics
5.1. Ethics - Given a case study or business situations, evaluate the ethical dimensions of decision situations and personal, social,
and corporate responsibility not absolved by market forces
6. Diversity
6.1. Diversity - Given a case study or business situation evaluate the multicultural dimensions of decision situations and
multicultural solutions to business situations
Management Concentration
7. Strategic Planning
7.1. Strategic/Change Mgt – Develop clear initiatives to assist a business to reach its goals in a changing environment
8. Resource Management
8.1. Motivation, Coaching, and Delegating – Evaluate the potential effectiveness of a leadership strategy for training, coaching,
delegating, and motivation within a specific organizational context
Course Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Learn and apply key concepts and tools of analysis that form the theoretical foundations of management science (Program
outcomes include Critical Thinking and Problem-solving, Team—collaboration).
1.1. Apply through case studies and the use of analytical tools the major concepts of management science
1.2. Describe the categories of management science tools and techniques and demonstrate through application the
ability to use the appropriate tools and techniques to address a given organizational issue.
1.3. Demonstrate through critiquing and analyzing the literature, the ability to evaluate scholarly and practitioner
focused research.
Apply practical applications of management science to real-world problems (Program outcomes include: Critical thinking and
Problem-solving, Ethics and Communication-written and oral).
2.1. Apply management science tools and techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, to different categories of
management problems and decision making situations.
Exhibit the ability to perform academic research on the topic of management science. (Research-understanding and
Performing, Critical thinking, and Problem-solving).
Demonstrate how management science may be used in action research to find the best solutions to organizational challenges.
Demonstrate through example how to present and display findings by using management science tools to present to a
management team. (Program outcomes include: Communication-Written, Critical Thinking and Problem-solving)
Develop and present a recommendation or initiative that builds a business case be performing an analysis using qualitative,
quantitative, and/or mixed methods.
Course Requirements
This seminar includes lectures, case studies, projects and personal research both on the campus and via Embanet. It is recommended
students use the EBSCO database, INFORMS per the directions in the text and one of the following:
www.informs.org/Pubs?
www.bpubs.com/Management_Science/
http://mat.gsia.cmu.edu/societies.html
Further information can be found by going to the university library web site and querying for “Articles on Management Science.”
Additional search terms include Operational Research, Decision Science and so forth.
Assignment Table
Module Module Topics
1
 Introduction to
Management Science
 Importance of
Management
 Models as convenient
worlds
 Management science
 Problems
 Some principles of
modeling
Readings
Chapter 1 in Hillier & Hillier
Part 1 Pidd Text
Business Week Cover Article-January 21, 2006:
Math will rock your World” and view graphs that
accompany the article.
http://businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_04/b3
968001.
Library research: It is recommended students use the
EBSCO database, INFORMS per the directions in
the text and one of the following:
www.informs.org/Pubs
www.bpubs.com/Management_Science/
http://mat.gsia.cmu.edu/societies.html
Assignments
Assignment #1.1 Write a three page
paper describing three distinct
problems (1 page each) and/or
issues at work that management
science could help you address
more systematically. Select
interesting problems that you are
currently facing and ones that both
quantitative and qualitative tools
and technique can be used to
address. In week eight
(Assignment 8.2) you will present
your solution based on what you
have learned in the course using
the best tools available.
Assignment #1.2
Further information can be found by going to the
university library web site and querying for “Articles
on Management Science.” Additional search terms
include Operational Research, Decision Science and
so forth.
After reading the BW article Math
will rock your World”, Pidd reading
and Text work in pairs to discuss the
importance of these ideas to your
current positions, future positions you
will occupy and your profession.
Submit a paper either supporting or
refuting the statement, “Math will
rock your World.”
Assignment 1.3 Due at the end of
week 5—Individual assignment
Find 3 dissertation abstracts dealing
with the topics covered in the Weeks
1-5.
Prepare for a 6-10 page paper
focusing on the hypothesis of each
dissertation, the management science
topics addressed, the findings and
future research recommendations.
Support your paper with additional
research from research articles and
texts.
Due date for this assignment is week
4.
Assignment 1.4: Select an article
from journals dealing with
Management Science, Decision
Analysis, or Quantitative Techniques
in Management and submit one 2page summary. The articles should be
relevant to this week's topic. The 2page summary must include at least
the three topics listed below:
1. Tools, models, or methods utilized.
2. Your evaluation in terms of
research quality
3. Research findings and their
significance
2
Introduction to Linear
Programming (Planning)
and Computer Solutions
Mathematical and Logical
Modeling
Optimization modeling linear programming.
Visual interactive modeling
- discrete event computer
simulation.
Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5-Hillier & Hillier
Part 3--Pidd Text
1. Tools, models, or methods utilized.
2. Your evaluation in terms of
research quality
3. Research findings and their
significance
Assignment #2.1
Select an article from journals dealing
with Management Science, Decision
Analysis, or Quantitative Techniques
in Management and submit one 2page summary. The articles should be
relevant to this week's topic. The 2page summary must include at least
the three topics listed below:
1. Tools, models, or methods utilized.
2. Your evaluation in terms of
research quality
3. Research findings and their
Heuristic search.
significance
Assignment #2.3
Compare and contrast when
quantitative management science
tools of analysis should be used and
when qualitative methods of analysis
are best. Discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of each. Present traps of
using one type of analysis to the
exclusion of other types. Have you
observed this in your organization?
Describe an example and what the
result was.
3
Continued: Introduction to
Linear Programming
(Planning) and Computer
Solutions
Mathematical and Logical
Modeling
Optimization modeling linear programming.
Visual interactive modeling
- discrete event computer
simulation.
Heuristic search
Part 2-- Pidd Text
Assignment 3.1-Team Exercise – 1
per week for weeks 3-6
1. Select 1 exercise or case from
either text or from your
research as a team. Submit
your answer to the exercise or
case answer as well as tie in
the information to the topics
as appropriate. For each
exercise attach a team 1 -2
page report detailing the:
 Tools, models, or methods
utilized.
 Findings and their
significance to the problem.
Note: It is up to the team to decide on
the area (linear programming, project
planning and so forth) that
corresponds to the readings for the
week and to the interest areas of the
team members. This allows for teamwork and self-selection.
INTERPRETIVE
MODELLING – SOFT
MANAGEMENT
SCIENCE.
Soft systems methodology.
Assignment 3.2—Article review
Cognitive mapping, SODA
and Journey Making.
Select an article from journals dealing
with Management Science, Decision
Analysis, or Quantitative Techniques
in Management and submit one 2page summary. The articles should be
relevant to this week's topic. The 2page summary must include at least
the three topics listed below:
System dynamics
Game theory
1. Tools, models, or methods utilized.
2. Your evaluation in terms of
research quality
3. Research findings and their
significance
4
Transportation Problems
Network optimization
problems
Transportation and assignment problems (Text-Hillier Chapter 6)
Assignment 4.1 Team Exercise – 1
per week for weeks 3-6
Network optimization problems (Text--Hillier
Chapter 7)
4.1 Select 1 exercise or case that is
related to course content. As a
Project management
Project management (Text—Hillier Chapter 8)
team, you will need to submit
your answer to the exercise or
case answer as well as tie in the
information to the topics as
appropriate. For each exercise
attach a team 1 -2 page report
detailing the:
 Tools, models, or methods
utilized.
 Findings and their
significance to the problem.
Note: It is up to the team to decide on
the area (linear programming, project
planning and so forth) that
corresponds to the readings for the
week and to the interest areas of the
team members. This allows for teamwork and self-selection.
4.3 Article Review
Select an article from journals dealing
with Management Science, Decision
Analysis, or Quantitative Techniques
in Management and submit one 2page summary. The articles should be
relevant to this week's topic. The 2page summary must include at least
the three topics listed below:
1. Tools, models, or methods utilized.
2. Your evaluation in terms of
research quality
3. Research findings and their
significance
5
Goal programming
Hillier-Text Chapter 11
Hillier-Text Chapter 12
Team Exercise – 1 per week for
weeks 3-6
Part 2 Pidd Text
5.1 Select 1 exercise or case from
either text as a team. You will
need to submit your answer to the
exercise or case answer as well as
tie in the information to the topics
as appropriate. For each exercise
attach a team 1 -2 page report
detailing the:
 Tools, models, or methods
utilized.
 Findings and their
significance to the problem.
Decision analysis
Note: It is up to the team to decide on
the area (linear programming, project
planning and so forth) that
corresponds to the readings for the
week and to the interest areas of the
team members. This allows for teamwork and self-selection.
Assignment 5.2 Submit your midterm paper as per the instructions of
the facilitator/instructor
6
Forecasting
Queuing models / Waiting
Line Models
Forecasting—Hillier Chapter 12
Queuing Models—Hillier Chapter 14, 15, 16
Team Exercise – 1 per week for
weeks 3-6
6.1.Select 1 exercise or case from
either text as a team. You will
need to submit your answer to the
exercise or case answer as well as
tie in the information to the topics
as appropriate. For each exercise
attach a team 1 -2 page report
detailing the:
 Tools, models, or methods
utilized.
 Findings and their
significance to the problem.
Note: It is up to the team to decide on
the area (linear programming, project
planning and so forth) that
corresponds to the readings for the
week and to the interest areas of the
team members. This allows for teamwork and self-selection.
7
Inventory Management
Simulation
Chapters 18 & 19 –Hillier
Chapters 15 & 16- Hillier
Part 4 Pidd Text
Assignment: 7.1
Reliable Construction Company—
Bidding for a Construction Project—
A prelude to the Reliable
8
Review of
Management Science
and Financial Analysis
(All Chapters)
Construction Co. Case Study (16.2)
and,
Project Management: Revisiting the
Reliable Co Case Study.
Assignment 8.1
Final Presentation: “To Top
Management”
Using the problem you selected in
week one, present your
solution to this problem
applying a chapter in the text
(s) and using a spreadsheet
solution.
Be sure to look at the spreadsheet
solutions to the examples in
the text in order to understand
how they are structured.
Present your problem and your
solution in a compelling
PowerPoint presentation to
your firm’s senior
management. This is you
opportunity to use concepts,
tools and analysis based on
Management Science to
persuade and influence an
outcome or decision. You
may be using the findings
from your analysis as part of a
business case for change, or to
“sell” an idea you may have.
The Presentations will be on
Web CT and should be no
longer than 30 minutes long.
Assignment #8.2
 Final Reflective Paper due
Directions for Reflective Paper:
You will complete a three-to-five page reflective paper that focuses exclusively on Management Science or Operations Research.
Specially, you should cover the history, components/concepts /concepts and research findings of the area of interest to your research
and/or your work must be covered as well.
A primary objective is for you to demonstrate your learning of Management Science. The content of your paper must
minimally include the following information related to Management Science.
1. A history of management science from the perspective of your interest area.
2. A discussion of the components/concepts /concepts of management science programming, simulation and modeling as it
applies to your research area.
3. A discussion of the results of your two weekly individual assignments.
4. A discussion of the research findings related to Management Science as a whole.
5. A concluding paragraph, highlighting the importance of Management Science in your work or research.
In meeting the secondary objective indicated above, the following guidelines will be followed for this reflective paper:
1. Papers will include at title page and a reference page.
2. References and sources will be cited using APA (American Psychological Association) A website for support and
information about this style can be found at http://www.psychwww.com/
3. The Academic Honesty policy standards as outlined in the course syllabus must be followed.
Grading Criteria
Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CF
100 – 93
92 – 90
89 – 88
87 – 83
82 – 80
79 – 78
77 – 73
72 – 70
69 and below
Grading requirements
Attendance/participation
Weekly Assignments
Final paper
Optional
Optional
25%
20%
35%
10%
10%
100%
Library:
All resources in Argosy University’s online collection are available through the Internet. The campus librarian will provide students
with links, user IDs, and passwords.
Library Resources: Argosy University’s core online collection features nearly 21,000 full-text journals and 23,000 electronic books
and other content covering all academic subject areas including Business & Economics, Career & General Education, Computers,
Engineering & Applied Science, Humanities, Science, Medicine & Allied Health, and Social & Behavior Sciences. Many titles are
directly accessible through the Online Public Access Catalog at http://library.argosy.edu. Detailed descriptions of online resources are
located at http://library.argosy.edu/misc/onlinedblist.html.
In addition to online resources, Argosy University’s onsite collections contain a wealth of subject-specific research materials
searchable in the Online Public Access Catalog. Catalog searching is easily limited to individual campus collections. Alternatively,
students can search combined collections of all Argosy University Libraries. Students are encouraged to seek research and reference
assistance from campus librarians.
Information Literacy: Argosy University’s Information Literacy Tutorial was developed to teach students fundamental and
transferable research skills. The tutorial consists of five modules where students learn to select sources appropriate for academic-level
research, search periodical indexes and search engines, and evaluate and cite information. In the tutorial, students study concepts and
practice them through interactions. At the conclusion of each module, they can test their comprehension and receive immediate
feedback. Each module takes less than 20 minutes to complete. Please view the tutorial at http://library.argosy.edu/infolit/
Academic Policies
Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism: In an effort to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity during the learning process, Argosy University
requires that the submission of all course assignments represent the original work produced by that student. All sources must be
documented through normal scholarly references/citations and all work must be submitted using the Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association, 5th Edition (2001). Washington DC: American Psychological Association (APA) format. Please
refer to Appendix A in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition for thesis and paper format.
Students are encouraged to purchase this manual (required in some courses) and become familiar with its content as well as consult
the Argosy University catalog for further information regarding academic dishonesty and plagiarism.
Scholarly writing: The faculty at Argosy University is dedicated to providing a learning environment that supports scholarly and
ethical writing, free from academic dishonesty and plagiarism. This includes the proper and appropriate referencing of all sources.
You may be asked to submit your course assignments through “Turnitin,” (www.turnitin.com), an online resource established to help
educators develop writing/research skills and detect potential cases of academic dishonesty. Turnitin compares submitted papers to
billions of pages of content and provides a comparison report to your instructor. This comparison detects papers that share common
information and duplicative language.
Americans with Disabilities Act Policy
It is the policy of Argosy University to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities, in accordance with
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If a student with disabilities needs accommodations, the student must notify the Director
of Student Services. Procedures for documenting student disability and the development of reasonable accommodations will be
provided to the student upon request.
Students will be notified by the Director of Student Services when each request for accommodation is approved or denied in writing
via a designated form. To receive accommodation in class, it is the student’s responsibility to present the form (at his or her
discretion) to the instructor. In an effort to protect student privacy, the Department of Student Services will not discuss the
accommodation needs of any student with instructors. Faculty may not make accommodations for individuals who have not been
approved in this manner.
The Argosy University Statement Regarding Diversity
The Argosy University provides equitable access through its services and programs to students of any social, geographic and cultural
background, regardless of gender, and strives to prepare all candidates to work with and provide services to diverse populations.
Argosy demonstrates its commitment to diversity through the development and support of a diverse educational community.