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An introduction to operations research and operations management for problem solving in a management context, including the process of building and using mathematical and spreadsheet models. Introduces project/event management, linear programming and simulation. It also deals with identifying costs, decision making over time and uncertainty issues. The course develops spreadsheet skills; an invaluable tool for modern business.
The central aims of this course are for students to:–use models to aid decision-making and planning –understand how uncertainty affects planning–improve critical thinking–gain Excel spreadsheet skillsTo achieve these, the course objectives are for students to:–understand the disciplines of Operations Research and Operations Management and their role in business and other decision-making–gain an overview of the process of developing and using a quantitative model for business decision making and planning–appreciate the effect of uncertainty on decision-making and planning–use quantitative models to gain insights into possible solutions which could be applied to the issue of interest–identify underlying assumptions and approximations in simple models–use spreadsheets to formulate and use simple models–use simple inventory, critical path, linear programming and simulation models–appreciate the effect of constraints and multiple criteria on decision-making–identify appropriate model-specific techniques, use them, and interpret the resultsThe course develops spreadsheet skills throughout. Topics include an introduction to: the modelling process, sensitivity analysis, diagrams as models, inventory control, constrained and unconstrained optimisation, costs and break-even analysis, project management, linear programming, modelling with uncertainty, decision analysis, simulation, and multi-criteria decision making.
MSCI102, MSCI112
In addition to the two lectures, students attend one of the 50-minute examples classes (labs), timetabled for Monday. Students will also have a computer activity to complete each week in their own time.
Shane Dye
For the test and final exam students may take in one handwritten A4 sheet of notes (or a specified alternative). Calculators are required. The final examination covers all lectures and tutorials and the assigned readings.The online assessments are mastery-based. A student passing an online assessment gains full marks towards their final grade. The assessments will be run or submitted through Learn. More information on each online assessment will be provided closer to the assessment date.For the online assessments there will be no extensions or aegrotats. For the other assessment, aegrotats may be applied for as outlined in the Calendar.
There is no required textbook for this course. Readings will be provided through Learn.Recommended: Any self-help guide to Microsoft Excel.
PrerequisitesThere are no prerequisites. However, we strongly recommend that students are concurrently enrolled in or have completed MSCI110 or some other university mathematics and statistics to ensure the necessary prerequisites for 200-level MSCI courses. (Note that the Operations Research course MSCI203 (new in 2011) will require 30 points of MSCI or MATH). Relationship to Other CoursesThis course introduces students to the discipline of Management Science, preparatory to further courses in Management Science, including Operations Research and Operations Management. It forms part of the requirements for the Bachelor of Commerce degree endorsements in Operations Research, Operations Management, Human Resource Development, and Strategic Management. MSCI101 can be taken as a science course as a part of the Bachelor of Science and as an arts course as a part of a Bachelor of Arts. It is important for students majoring in management or marketing, and a useful companion to mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, forestry, and economics.Departmental Academic Policies If you require a hard copy of this document, please ask the course co-ordinator. The Department assumes that you have read this document. You should also read the “Information related to courses and assessment” on page 32 of the Enrolment Handbook 2011 (also in UC Calendar under “General Course and Examination Regulations”).Dishonest PracticeThe University of Canterbury considers cheating and plagiarism to be serious acts of dishonesty. All assessed work must be your own individual work unless specifically stated otherwise in the assessment guidelines. Material quoted from any other source must be clearly acknowledged. You must not copy the work of another person (student or published work) in any assessment including examinations, tests and assignments. Any person, who is found to have copied someone else's work, or to have allowed their work to be copied, will receive a fail grade for that piece of assessment and may face disciplinary action which may lead to a fine, community service or exclusion from the university.IMPORTANT: Where there are concerns regarding the authorship of written course work, a student can be required to provide a formal, oral explanation of the content of their work.Coversheets - Group and Individual
Domestic fee $630.00
International fee $2,775.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Management, Marketing and Tourism .