MSCI110-09S1 (C) Semester One 2009

Quantitative Methods for Business

18 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 23 February 2009
End Date: Sunday, 28 June 2009
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 8 March 2009
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 24 May 2009

Description

Using quantitative and statistical methods in business applications. Modelling with spreadsheets. This course is designed specifically for Commerce students.

This course provides a foundation of statistics and mathematics from a user’s point of view. The emphasis is on sensible and correct use of statistical and mathematical tools in real-life problems and critical interpretation of quantitative reporting. It will assume fairly elementary levels of competence in  mathematics. Microsoft Excel™ will be used as a tool within the course.

This course has been developed using the principles of Personalised System of Instruction, often known as the Keller plan. As the material is almost entirely based on skill development, this is best learnt at a mastery level. This means that you are expected to “master” the material, as shown by a pass cut-off mark of 80% for the module quizzes and assignments.

We recognise that people learn at different rates, so you can sit the module quizzes when you are ready for them, and if you do not pass, you can sit again when you feel you have mastered the material. In each module there is a non-proctored quiz that you can do any time, and a proctored quiz that you can do when you have passed the assignment (for some modules only) and the non-proctored quiz. The times available for sitting proctored quizzes are given in Blackboard. In order to help students plan their time better, there are deadlines for passing the modules. These are given below. Though there are many testing slots available, it is unwise to leave testing to the last day. You may miss one deadline (other than the final deadline) without failing the course.

As this is an 18 point, 1 semester course we expect you to spend about 180 hours on the course, which comes to 15 hours per week for a 12 week semester. If you do this, you will almost inevitably pass the course. All materials and organisational details will be available through Blackboard.

Restrictions

Timetable Note

Tutorials: 1 hour per week as timetabled.

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Nicola Petty

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Module 0 Quiz Module 0 Proctored Quiz
Module 1 Quiz Module 1 Proctored Quiz
Module 2 Quiz Module 2 Proctored Quiz
Module 4 Quiz Module 4 Proctored Quiz
Module 5A and 5B Quiz Module 5A and 5B Proctored Quiz
Module 6A and 6B and 3 Quiz Module 6A and 6B and Proctored Quiz


The following gives the dates by which these quizzes must be passed. You may attempt them as soon as you have completed the prerequisites for them, namely the Non-Proctored Quiz, and in some cases the assignment. The time by which they must be completed is the end of the testing session on the day given (Wednesday or Friday). The course ends on 5 June.

Module 0 Proctored Quiz - Before end of Wed 11 March (Week 3)
Module 1 Proctored Quiz - Before end of Wed 18 March (Week 4)
Module 2 Proctored Quiz - Before end of Wed 25 March (Week 5)
Module 4 Proctored Quiz - Before end of Wed 29 April  (Week 7)
Module 5A and 5B Proctored Quiz - Before end of Wed 13 May (Week 9)
Module 6A and 6B  and 3 Proctored Quiz - Before end of Fri 5 June (End of term 2)

Final examination: There is no final examination

Assessment Summary:
A Pass grade is achieved when the student has passed all the module quizzes. Students may sit each quiz repeatedly until they pass. There is no final examination. The Pass grade satisfies the requirements to use the course as a pre-requisite.

Students who do not complete all the modules may carry completed modules over for one additional enrolment in the course within two years. They will need to contact Dr Petty to arrange for their credit to carry over.

Notes

Relationship to Other Courses:
This is a course in statistics and mathematics necessary for students majoring in a commerce subjects. It can replace STAT111 as a prerequisite in all courses in the Department of Management, and is part of the NZICA requirements for becoming a Chartered Accountant.

Learning Support:
The following are provided to help you learn the material and skills:
• Lectures (which are videoed and can be viewed again if needed)
• Youtube videos developed for the course
• Previous year’s lectures, separated into pages (also on Youtube)
• Scheduled tutorials (you can also visit other tutorials)
• The textbook and on-line readings
• Practice exercises on-line
• The non-proctored quizzes
• Email contact with the tutor or lecturers

There is no required textbook. Any readings will be given or referenced on Blackboard. If you have limited experience of the use of Microsoft Excel™, any “teach yourself”’ book on the subject will be helpful. There are many statistics textbooks available in the library. Students can use whichever ones prove most helpful if they need more resources for learning.
 
Departmental Academic Policies
If you want 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 372 of the Enrolment Handbook 2009 (also in UC Calendar under “General Course and Examination Regulations”).

Aegrotats:
Aegrotat consideration is not available for any items of assessment in this course.

Dishonest Practice:
The 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.

If an assignment submitted by you is found to have come from another person’s account you will face disciplinary action.

Coversheets - Group and Individual

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $677.00

International fee $2,850.00

* 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 .

All MSCI110 Occurrences

  • MSCI110-09S1 (C) Semester One 2009