San Jose State University                                                                                                                                  Fall 2011

College of Business                                                                                                                                           Mr. Hibshoosh

Department of Marketing /DS

BT 764

Office Hours:

M: 1445-1700, 2045- 2245

Phone: 924 3518

FAX 924 3445

email: Aharon.Hibshoosh@.sjsu.edu

Bus 190 (MW1330)                                                                        

(Sec.5, 41648)

BC 224

 

Business 190 introduces the students to formal mathematical and statistical reasoning in Business. It familiarizes the student with methods of decisions specific to business with methods and algorithms that are widely used by decision-makers in industry and business. 

Prerequisites: passing grades (at least C-) in the following: (Business Stat, Bus 90) and (Finite Math, Math 70). Finite Math can be replaced by (Calculus, Math 71).  The prerequisites would be strictly enforced. Every student must sign a declaration of completion of the prerequisites.  Students not completing the prerequisites are not allowed participation in the class. Every student must bring a copy of his/ her transcript (unofficial one will do) to prove his completion of the prerequisites at SJSU or their equivalent completion at other institutes.  In the latter case, an equivalence page is available for students in the advisory center at the basement of the BT.

Several key topics in Operations Research and statistics are covered. There is an emphasis on both procedure and rationale. The student is trained in problem formation and setting and in the usage of procedures and algorithms in the solution of the problems. The student thus needs to pay attention to the rationale in problems setting as well as to the rationale embedded in the algorithmic process. The students will achieve comprehension of the topics through routine problem solving. The professor’s requirements for solving the problems are often stringent than in the textbook and supersede the textbook’s requirements.  The problems solved are due and collected at the beginning of the next class periods. Once the homework is collected, no late homework is accepted and thus receives no credit. The problems will be assigned from the textbooks as well as from the recommended supporting sources, mostly of files that I especially wrote to support the study. Students may be called to the board to demonstrate and explain their solutions.

Students should be aware that past experience indicates that the overall effect of HW performance on the grade is on the average is about 70 to 80 percent, even though the direct contribution of the HW to grade as computed is only 10%, for students attending class regularly.  Hence, HW is the key to success in this class.

Course Learning Objectives:

 

1. Solidifying student prerequisites in algebra geometry statistics and  elements of computer science as they apply to QBA.

2.     Learning Formal and precise expression of ideas with the aid of notations, symbols and formulae as they apply to structured set-ups and solutions, and as they apply in computer based application.

3.     Learning to face and solve complex problems by breaking them down to several ordered sub problems in a hierarchical manner.

4.     Comprehending the necessary in Problem Setups and in the structure of algorithms for problem solutions

5.     Paying attention to models and in particular to modeling borders as they are affected by business reality on one hand and by philosophy and technological constraints of the disciplines that guide modeling.  The guiding disciplines are: mathematics, statistics economics and computer science.

6.     Learning to choose the correct model, select and define its variables and interpret its results

 

Material Requirements:

1.Textbook: Lawrence L. Lapin and William D. Whisler. Quantitative Decision Making with Spreadsheet Applications, 7 ed. Duxbury, Thompson Learning. (ISBN 0534-38024-7).

The textbook is out of print, but is available for purchase and rentals (including in electronic format) over the Internet.  Used textbooks and custom textbooks are also available.

2. Simple calculator without any second function but with a square root function. Memory storage and recall functions are allowed. Possession of the textbook and of the simple calculator is required in every class meeting.

Topics (Tentative Schedule)^

 

Topics                                                                Chapters

8/24-8/31 Introduction and Assessment                        8

8/24`- 9/19 Linear Programming I                                 8

9/19 -10/12 Linear Programming II                                9

10/12 - 11/7  Decision Analysis                                      5

11/9-12 /7  PERT                                                       14

9/5 Labor Day Holiday.

Flex. Sched.  Mathematical and Statistical Software for Modeling and Analysis.     

 ^These are tentative dates.                    

I will make an effort to expedite presentation and if time permits introduce some electives topic(s) in Linear Programming, Networks, Inventory, Probability or DS).  I will also expose interested students to advanced math and stat techniques and software outside the classroom.   While these presentations will not be part of the required course material, this exposure is likely to support student's education and career .

 Grading Guideline:

Class Participation 10pts

Homework 10pts

Midterms 60 pts (October 17, November 14) ^

Final 30 pts (Tuesday, December13, 1215-1430)

Total Pts. 110 pts*

 ^These are tentative dates.                    

 

Exams are based on problem solving. The usage of only a simple calculator is necessary and allowed. The usage of advanced calculators is prohibited in both the exams and the homework, in order to foster in depth understanding of the rationale of the models and their solution procedures.   Individual reviews of student exams would take place in special open book hours, on Mondays, and not during class hours.  In this way we will use class time efficiently, passing over a new material.

 

*Extra credit may be earned as a result of special contribution to research and class learning. 

  College of Business Policies and Procedures

 

To ensure that every student, current and future, who takes courses in the Boccardo Business Center has the opportunity to experience an environment that is safe, attractive, and otherwise conducive to learning, the College of Business at San José State has established the following policies:

 

 

Eating

Eating and drinking (except water) are prohibited in the Boccardo Business Center.  Students with food will be asked to leave the building.  Students who disrupt the course by eating and do not leave the building will be referred to the Judicial Affairs Officer of the University.

 

Cell Phones

Students will turn their cell phones off or put them on vibrate mode while in class.  They will not answer their phones in class.  Students whose phones disrupt the course and do not stop when requested by the instructor will be referred to the Judicial Affairs Officer of the University.

 

Computer Use

In the classroom, faculty allow students to use computers only for class-related activities.  These include activities such as taking notes on the lecture underway, following the lecture on Web-based PowerPoint slides that the instructor has posted, and finding Web sites to which the instructor directs students at the time of the lecture.  Students who use their computers for other activities or who abuse the equipment in any way, at a minimum, will be asked to leave the class and will lose participation points for the day, and, at a maximum, will be referred to the Judicial Affairs Officer of the University for disrupting the course.  (Such referral can lead to suspension from the University.)  Students are urged to report to their instructors computer use that they regard as inappropriate (i.e., used for activities that are not class related).

 

Academic Honesty

Faculty will make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct in their courses.  They will secure examinations and their answers so that students cannot have prior access to them and proctor examinations to prevent students from copying or exchanging information.  They will be on the alert for plagiarism.  Faculty will provide additional information, ideally on the green sheet, about other unacceptable procedures in class work and examinations.  Students who are caught cheating will be reported to the Judicial Affairs Officer of the University, as prescribed by Academic Senate Policy S04-12. 

 

8/04

 

 

 

 

Mission

The College of Business is the institution of opportunity, providing innovative business education and applied research for the Silicon Valley region.