Faculty Contact Information:
Instructor: Dr. Ken J. Kovach
Email: kkovach@faculty.ed.umuc.edu or KJKovach@AOL.com
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Consultation:
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Students should use the Web Tycho forums for communications at all times, unless a phone call for immediate information is required. A private forum will be established for each student.
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Required Texts and Readings:
TEXT
(2006). Quantitative methods for business, (10th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western.
READINGS
American Psychological Association. 2001. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, (5th ed.). Washington DC: Author
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Supplementary Readings:
Graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library at http://www.umuc.edu/library/. The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students' research and writing skills.
USEFUL WEBSITE: http://quant.swcollege.com
A Webliography will be provided in the Course Contents for use by all.
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Recommended Journals:
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A variety of full-text, online, free-of-charge and pay-per-view academic journals are listed at the UMUC library website.
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Course Description:
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Prerequisites: College algebra and either undergraduate statistics or the permission of the Program Director. Acquaints students with the quantitative techniques commonly used in the decision-making process. Sample topics include concepts of decision making and decision analysis, linear programming, sensitivity analysis, transportation and assignments problems, forecasting and time series analysis, inventory concepts, PERT, and mathematical simulation.
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Course Goals:
As a required course in the policy track of the MPA and an elective in the M.S. in Management Information Systems, this course develops analytical skills necessary to the quantitative analysis of policy proposals and executive decisions. Upon completion of this course, participants should have an understanding of:
- The reasons for applying Quantitative decision making in the Public Sector.
- Problems in modern decision systems.
- Quantitative methods for data presentation.
- Quantitative methods of data extraction.
- The mathematical basis of forecasting theory.
- Models for risk and payoff prediction.
- Methods of problem assessment and categorization.
- Alternative methods to traditional decision making systems.
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Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyze management policy for decision-making purposes.
- Investigate problem identification and definition as a part of problem solving and decision making.
- Generate relevant statistical charts, graphs and models.
- Interpret relevant statistical charts, graphs and models.
- Review elements of statistical probability requisite for management science.
- Examine data for cyclical trends.
- Apply risk assessment models.
- Create a PERT chart.
- Manage inventory on a cyclical or non-cyclical basis.
- Generate Waiting Line models.
- Manage the process of product trans-shipment.
- Apply linear programming models.
- Determine utility factors relevant to policy success.
- Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant sources of decision data.
- Execute a multiple regression table, and analyze it.
- Apply multicriteria (quantitative and qualitative) methods of decision-making.
- Organize, present and explain decision systems to others more effectively.
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Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
A = 90 -100 points
B = 80 - 89 "
C = 70 - 79 "
F = below 70 "
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade F is used to designate academic failure. F(n) is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog. Hard copies of the catalog are available in your local Education Center.
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Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:
Participation - 20 points
Midterm exam - 30 "
Final exam - 30 "
Tasking - 20 "
Total - 100 points
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Description of Course Requirements:
Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the face-to-face classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an 8-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most 14-week graduate distance education courses require at least 10 hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.
Participation: Student participation includes active communication, positive attitude towards learning, completion of assigned tasks, and communication. Case study analysis will be assigned by the instructor. Software programs may be used for chapter work; however, manual application is required for the exams: software will be allowed as supportable info. For each week, readings, problem work, casework, and other tasks may be identified in the course schedule. Due dates for individual work are established. Participation points will be assessed based on active participation and submission of reports on time. Conference input discussions will be required as part of participation. Study groups may also be assigned. Due dates for required inputs will be noted in the discussions and indicated in the course schedule as well. Quality of responses will be assessed subjectively by the instructor, but length, depth, and presentation of all responses will always be considered. A rubric will be provided for the grading. Total value = 20 points.
Examinations: A midterm examination will include course material involving Chapters 1 thru 6. The exam will be an open book exam, valued at 30 points. UMUC policies for exams will be closely followed, as applicable. Student work should be shown on the exam to account for full credit. Even though the right answer may not be given, credit for accurate work will be allowed. A final exam (Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13) will be similarly applied (30 points). The exams will consist of short essays and work problems. Some work problems may be partially answered: the student will be required to complete the answers. The midterm will be in the 6th week of the course (9-13 October 2006) and the final exam will be in the final week (27 Nov -1 Dec 2006).
Tasking: Each student will complete an article analysis of a selected article involving the use of statistics in decision- making. During the course, practice of this tasking will be accomplished. The tasking will be due 24 November 2006 in the Assignment forum. Value: 12 points for content and 8 points for technical presentation. Additional directions will be provided in class.
Graduate level papers or case studies: You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable in this course only with proper citing and referencing. Wortk not credited will result in an automatic failure on the assignment. Moreover, all students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with current UMUC-Europe/BSU standards regarding plagiarism, as all class papers are subject to being sent to turnitin.com for authentication.
Orally/visually present prepared material: You are required to present your research in a professional manner. In a face-to-face course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material. In a DE class, this means creating a visual/textual presentation for your instructor and classmates.
Complete one or more written examination(s): The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary to successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used for this course may be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam.
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Course Schedule:
Course Schedule
The following class schedule will be general in nature in order to allow you to focus on the required material for each session. Weekly sessions are in line with the Distance Education scheduling. You are required to read the assigned chapters for the week, review the end-of-chapter even numbered problems and chapter self-tests, and answer specific odd-numbered problems. Note: Review the Appendices in the text for self-test and even-numbered correct answers. Case studies will also be assigned for specific classes.
Week Session Dates
1 4-10 Sep
Assignments
Read Introduction and review all course materials.
Review the Management Scientist program and pages 23-25 of the text. Complete all Conferences established. Provide info requested, especially for the Bio Conference. Students not responding during the first week will be considered as not taking the course and the DE office will be notified. Review all Course content items. Read Ch 1 (course text).
Practice the even-numbered problems and Self-Test items-answers in the back of the text.
Work Ch 1 problems 1, 3, 5, 7, 13, & 17 and submit answers to the Conference forum (due 10 Sep). Do this procedure for all work problems.
Attachments may be used in the Conferences; however, place your NAME on any attachment. Always do this for attachments!
Submit inputs to all Conferences as required. Review Course Content items. Review MGMT 585 PowerPoint files in Course Contents, as available.
2 11 – 17 Sept
Assignment:
Read Chapter 2 (text).
Practice even-numbered problems and the Self-Tests.
Work Ch 2 problems 3, 5, 9, 11, & 15: due 17 Sept.
Complete Conferences and review Course Content.
Review PowerPoint presentation files.
3 18-24 Sept
Assignment:
Work Ch 3 problems 5, 7, 11, 19, & 25: due 24 Sept.
Complete Conferences and review Course Content.
Review PowerPoint presentation files.
4 25 Sept-1 Oct
Assignment:
Read Chapter 4
Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests.
Work Ch 4 problems 9, 13, 21, & 25: due 1 Oct.
Complete Conferences & review powerpoint files.
5 2-8 Oct
Assignment:
Read Chapter 5.
Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests.
Work Ch 5 problems 3 & 9: due 8 Oct.
Complete Conferences & review powerpoint files.
Read Ch 6.
Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests. Work Ch 6 problems 3, 7, 15, 17, & 27: due 8 Oct.
Complete Conferences. Prepare for Midterm exam. This will be an open book examination. Material will consist of Chapters 1 through 6. Review all course materials to date.
6 9-15 Oct
Midterm Exam week. Each student is to obtain the Midterm in his or her Private Study group forum and when completed, the exam must be placed in the student's Assignments forum.
7 16-22 Oct
Midterm Break! Enjoy!
8 23-29 Oct
Assignment:
Read Ch 7.
Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests.
Work Ch 7 problems 3, 15, 21, 23: due 29 Oct.
8 30 Oct-5 Nov
Assignment: Read Chapters 8 & 9.
Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests.
Work Ch 8 problems 3 and 15: due 5 Nov.
Work Ch 9 problems 3, & 11: due 5 Nov.
Complete Conferences and review ppt slides
9 6-12 Nov 2006
Assignment:
Read Chapter 10.
Practice even-numbered problems and Self-Tests.
Work Ch 10 problems 3, 5, 7 and 15: Due 12 Nov.
Complete Conferences and review ppt slides.
10 13–19 Nov
Assignment: Read chapter 12.
Work Ch 12 problems 7, 15, & 19: due 19 Nov.
Complete Conferences and review ppt slides
11 20-26 Nov
Assignment: Read Chapter 13 and practice even-numbered problems and Self-Test items..
Work Ch 13 problems 9 & 19: due 26 Nov.
12 27 Nov-3 Dec
Assignment: Open Review all material since midterm. Complete Conferences and review ppt slides. Complete Final Exam: due 3 Dec 2006. Note: Each student's exam will be obtained in the Private Study Group forum and when completed, it is to be placed in the student's Assignment's forum.
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Academic Policies:
The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the University's contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism.
The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi.
Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course and to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center.
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Faculty Bio:
Instructor Short Bio
Ken J. Kovach has been a faculty member for the University of Maryland University College since 1993 and also has taught research, statistics, and managerial courses for several other universities. Since 1981, he has taught 500+ graduate/undergrad courses in a variety of subjects. Ken previously served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, first enlisted and then commissioned, in logistics, plans, operations, transportation management, aerial delivery, command staff, and airborne command positions.
Within distance education, he has continually taught over the Internet since 1995 after developing three university programs for Embry-Riddle and one business management certificate program for the National Business Aviation Association. He has developed research guidelines for various universities and serves mainly as the chair on graduate research project committees. Ken is active in various professional associations, to include the American Counseling Association, American Statistical Association, and Transportation Administration. His recent publication was Corporate Aviation Management.
Ken's bachelor of science was from the University of Tennessee in business, Master of Arts in guidance and counseling from Wayne State University, and doctorate in higher education from Nova University. He has a British wife, Sally, and two daughters, Katie and Chris.
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