The application of quantitative methods to decision making. Emphasis is placed on linear programming and related topics, decisions theory, Markov chains, network analysis, forecasting, inventory models and simulation. Prerequisites: STAT 185 or 225; demonstrated computer proficiency. Fall and Spring.

M.L. Manns
Owen 210
251-6858
manns@unca.edu

(If these times are not convenient, I will gladly schedule an appointment with you. I encourage you to adopt the professional approach of making an appointment rather than just stopping by.)

The web site for this course is: www.cs.unca.edu/~manns/mgmt380.html

You should refer to this site regularly because it contains:

• all handouts (Hardcopies of handouts will be distributed in class. If you miss class, you will need to get the handout from the web.)
• the course schedule (This is updated regularly and provides information about assignment due dates, exam dates, class lectures and other events.)
• special announcements
• links to other web sites

Bring two disks to each class, in preparation for working on the computer. Two disks are important because backups must be made of all your work -- it is your responsibility to backup all your work!

Assignments: 140

Exams (2 @ 40 pts.): 80

Final Exam: 80

TOTAL 300 pts.

Final letter grades will be assigned as follows:

In the case of "borderline" points, a student will receive the higher of the two grades only if he/she: 1) had regular class participation and, 2) completed all assignments. Class participation and quality of assignments have a large influence on final grades!

Those who do not complete ALL assignments cannot be eligible for a final letter grade 'A'.

'I' or 'W' grades are not given lightly. The student must have had regular class attendance in order to be eligible to request an ‘I’.

All written, computer, and oral work must represent a quality and level of competency that would be acceptable in the work place. Therefore, points will be deducted for such things as poor writing and presentation style, misspellings, bad grammar, and a shoddy appearance of written documents or presentation slides. Expectations for your work in this course are nothing more than the quality your employers will expect.

Specifically, each written assignment must:

• be typed
• have loose pages stapled together (no paperclips)
• include a cover sheet with: student's name, course, assignment number, date submitted to instructor, and student's signature

You will be faced with many critical deadlines in the work place. In academic environments, a course can be successful only if both the instructor and the students are prepared for each class meeting. These are the reasons deadlines are taken so seriously in this course.

Deadlines appear on handouts. This date refers to the day the paper(s) must be received in the hands of the instructor. One point will be deducted each day any assignment is overdue, weekends and school holidays excluded. Items that are presented too late to earn points will receive one of the following: "check," "check plus," or "check minus." Deadline extensions will not be considered for any individual. If you are late, you should gracefully accept a lowered score.

Dates for the first two exams: September 14 and October 19. The dates of these exams can be changed only if the instructor and every student in the class agrees to the change. The university has scheduled the final exam for December 7.

Exams will include all material from lecture, readings and class discussions.

Exams must be taken during designated class period(s). There will be NO MAKE-UPS OR OPPORTUNITY FOR EARLY EXAMS. If a student must miss the first or the second exam, half the score on the comprehensive final exam will be applied to this missed exam (with no effect on the final exam score). If only the final exam is missed, some type of oral exam will be administered. There are no provisions for two missed exams; therefore a zero score will be recorded.

Class attendance may be considered in the calculation of the final grade. (See the "Grading" section on this handout.) Each student is responsible for all information and assignments discussed in class, whether or not he/she is present. When class is missed, handouts must be acquired from the course web site before the next class.

If class is cancelled for any reason, students should not assume that dates for scheduled exams and assignments will be changed. When in doubt, check the course web site for any announcements.

Cheating on exams or on any assignment will not be tolerated! As stated in the UNCA catalogue, "A person who knowingly assists another in cheating is likewise guilty of cheating." There will be no second chances. Those found cheating will receive a zero score on the assignment or the exam in which the cheating occurred. In addition, a letter describing the event will be sent to the Office of Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Your awareness of this policy and your confirmation that the work you submit meets an Honor System (as related in the above paragraph and in the UNCA catalog) will be indicated by your signature next to your printed name on all papers submitted for grading. Work submitted without your signature will not be graded.