FIT2033 Computer models for business decisions - Semester 2 , 2007

Unit leader :

Dengsheng Zhang

Lecturer(s) :

South Africa

  • Neil Manson

Malaysia

  • Elsa Phung

Introduction

Unit synopsis

This unit examines the principles and practice of modelling and analysis of business systems as a support for the decision making activities. At the completion of the subject the student should understand some of the more commonly used computer modelling techniques used in business and industry and be familiar with the applications of these techniques to business related problems using some of the applications software and other related tools. Topics to be studied will include

  • Cost and profit analysis using breakeven technique
  • Common optimisation methods in business applications, such as linear programming and integer programming
  • Sensitivity analysis of linear programming using computer solutions
  • Solutions to traditional business problems, such as transportation, assignment and shortest path problems, using computer models
  • Various aspects of decision making such as decision making under risk, under uncertainty, decision with sample information
  • Multiple goals and multiple parties decision making
  • Waiting lines systems and simulation including Monte Carlo simulation
  • Forecasting technques namely simple exponential smoothing and double exponential smoothing.

Learning outcomes

In this unit students will study the principles and application of computer based business and decision support models. This unit enables students to become conversant with the operation and computer application of the nominated business models, and to carry out sensitivity analyses using the relevant computer software on a series of problems. PC based software is supplied to illustrate the various topics. Most of the examples have been developed using Microsoft EXCEL but would be equally applicable to any spreadsheet package.

Workload

For on campus students, workload commitments are:

  • two-hour lecture and
  • two-hour tutorial (or laboratory) (requiring advance preparation)
  • a minimum of 2-3 hours of personal study per one hour of contact time in order to satisfy the reading and assignment expectations.
  • You will need to allocate up to 5 hours per week in some weeks, for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Unit relationships

Prerequisites

Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed MAT1097 or equivalent. You should have knowledge of fundamental algebra and stochastic methods

Relationships

FIT2033 is a core unit in the Business systems major of the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems.

You may not study this unit and FIT2017, ETW2840, ETF2480, GCO2802, or BUS1110 in your degree.

Continuous improvement

Monash is committed to ‘Excellence in education' and strives for the highest possible quality in teaching and learning. To monitor how successful we are in providing quality teaching and learning Monash regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. Two of the formal ways that you are invited to provide feedback are through Unit Evaluations and through Monquest Teaching Evaluations.

One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through Unit Evaluation Surveys. It is Monash policy for every unit offered to be evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys as they are an important avenue for students to "have their say". The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

Student Evaluations

The Faculty of IT administers the Unit Evaluation surveys online through the my.monash portal, although for some smaller classes there may be alternative evaluations conducted in class.

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to http://www.monash.edu.au/unit-evaluation-reports/

Over the past few years the Faculty of Information Technology has made a number of improvements to its courses as a result of unit evaluation feedback. Some of these include systematic analysis and planning of unit improvements, and consistent assignment return guidelines.

Monquest Teaching Evaluation surveys may be used by some of your academic staff this semester. They are administered by the Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ) and may be completed in class with a facilitator or on-line through the my.monash portal. The data provided to lecturers is completely anonymous. Monquest surveys provide academic staff with evidence of the effectiveness of their teaching and identify areas for improvement. Individual Monquest reports are confidential, however, you can see the summary results of Monquest evaluations for 2006 at http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/cheq/evaluations/monquest/profiles/index.html

Unit staff - contact details

Unit leader

Dr Dengsheng Zhang
Senior Lecturer
Phone +61 3 990 26772
Fax +61 3 9902 6879

Lecturer(s) :

Mr Neil Manson
Lecturer
Phone +27 11 950 4035
Fax +27 11 950 4033
Ms Elsa Phung

Teaching and learning method

The approach to teaching and learning include a weekly two-hour lecture and a two-hour tutorial. Additionally, each student should spend a minimum of 8 hours for personal study every week and should allocate up to 5 hours per week in some weeks for use of a computer, including time for newsgroup access and discussion.

Communication, participation and feedback

Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

Unit Schedule

Week Topic Study guide References/Readings Key dates
1 Introduction to Management Science Part 1. pp.5-12 Chapter 1 of text book  
2 Linear Programming Part 2. pp.13-22 Chapter 2 of text book  
3 Linear Programming: Computer Solution and Sensitivity Analysis Part 2. pp.22-23 Chapter 3 of text book  
4 Integer Programming Part 2. pp.22 Chapter 5 of text book  
5 Transportation and Assignment Problems Part 3. pp.25-32 Chapter 6 of text book  
6 Shortest Path and Minimal Spanning Tree Problems Part 3. pp.33-37 Chapter 7 of text book  
7 Multicriteria Decision Making Part 5. pp.73-88 Chapter 9 of text book  
8 Decision Analysis I Part 4. pp.39-57 Chapter 11, 12 of text book.  
9 Decision Analysis II Part 4. pp.57-71 Chapter 11, 12 of text book.  
10 Queuing Analysis Part 6. 89-102 Chapter 13 of text book.  
Mid semester break
11 Monte Carlo Simulation Part 6. 103-113 Chapter 14 of text book.  
12 Forecasting Part 7. pp.115-120 Chapter 15 of text book.  
13 Exam Preparation Part 1--Part 7 All related chapters of the text book  

Unit Resources

Prescribed text(s) and readings

Taylor, B.W. III, Introduction to Management Science, 9th edition, Prentice Hall, 2006, ISBN: 0-13-188809-9.

Monash Bookshop

Recommended text(s) and readings

1. D. R. Anderson, D. J. Sweeney and T. A. Williams, An Introduction to Management Science, Thomson Leaning, 2005.

2. W. E. Pinney, Quantative Methods for Management with Decision Support Software, Houston, TX: Dame Publications, 1998.

3. R. A. Brealey and S. C. Myers, Principles of Corporate Finance, 7th edition, McGraw-Hill Inc., 2003.

4. P. Newbold and T. Bos, Introductory Business & Economic Forecasting, South-Western Publishing Co., 1994.

5. K. R. Davis, P. G. McKeown, T. R. Rakes, Management Science, An Introduction, Kent publishing, 1986.

Required software and/or hardware

The three Excel based software packages: Excel QM, Crystal Ball and TreePlan are included in the prescribed text book.

Equipment and consumables required or provided

On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 5 hours per week in some weeks for use of a computer, including time for newsgroup access and discussion groups.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

  • A printed Unit Book containing 7 Study Guides (120 pages), sent from CeLTS
  • This Unit Information outlining the administrative information for the unit
  • A CD-ROM bundled with the prescribed text book providing the required software for this unit
  • The FIT2033 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications and sample solutions will be posted
  • Newsgroups that can be linked to from the Unit Homepage

Library access

The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching. To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.

Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)

All unit and lecture materials are available through the MUSO (Monash University Studies Online) site. You can access this site by going to:

  1. a) https://muso.monash.edu.au or
  2. b) via the portal (http://my.monash.edu.au).

Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then the MUSO hyperlink.

In order for your MUSO unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.

For example :

  • MUSO supported browser
  • Supported Java runtime environment

For more information, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html

You can contact the MUSO Support by: Phone: (+61 3) 9903 1268

For further contact information including operational hours, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html

Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html

Assessment

Unit assessment policy

The unit is assessed with two assignments and a three hour closed book examination. To pass the unit you must:
  • attempt both assignments and the examination
  • achieve an average of no less than 40% for the two assignemnts
  • achieve no less that 40% of the possible marks in the exam
  • achieve no less than 50% of possible marks for the unit

Assignment tasks

  • Assignment Task
    Title :
    Assignment 1
    Description :
    Weighting :
    20%
    Criteria for assessment :
    Due date :
    27 August 2007
  • Assignment Task
    Title :
    Assignment 2
    Description :
    Weighting :
    20%
    Criteria for assessment :
    Due date :
    12 October 2007

Examinations

  • Examination
    Weighting :
    60%
    Length :
    Type ( open/closed book ) :

Assignment submission

Assignments MUST be submitted electronically through MUSO

Assignment coversheets

No coversheets are required. Assignments submitted via MUSO will be released to invidual students only on condition that they have successfully completed a plagiarism declaration.

University and Faculty policy on assessment

Due dates and extensions

The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Requests for extensions must be made to the unit lecturer at your campus at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date will be subjected to a penalty of 5% per per day up to one week late. Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not be accepted.

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at:

http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/

We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.

Plagiarism, cheating and collusion

Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/about/committees-groups/facboard/policies/studrights.html) and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

Register of counselling about plagiarism

The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.

Non-discriminatory language

The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.

Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:

Deferred assessment and special consideration

Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Special consideration in the awarding of grades is also possible in some circumstances. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.