Course Description

Bulletin Description: Fundamental concepts of mathematical modeling. Differential equation models. Optimization models. Probabilistic models. Practical problems will be discussed throughout.

True Description: You will learn a number of very powerful modeling and decision-making techniques that are used today to make companies millions of dollars. You will learn what mathematical modeling techniques companies use, where they can be applied, how to use them for yourself and, if you are really good, when to use what. The software, based around Microsoft Excel, is state-of-the-art and is used by large companies all over the world. These are lofty goals; I am afraid this class will likely be a lot of work. You will have a lot of background reading to do before class. You will be expected to come to class prepared and ready to get going working on modeling problems. If we are lucky, we will have fun too. I look forward to seeing you all in class.

Prerequisites

MATH 200 Calculus and Analytic Geometry.

Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

If you are not familiar with Excel, the books authors' offer the following simple tutorial. For a more detailed overview, Smartforce (User's Guide) has modules entitled Microsoft Office 2000: Beginning Excel and Microsoft Office 2000: Intermediate Excel that should get you up to speed.

Texts & Software

Required: Winston & Albright, Practical Management Science, 2nd Edition, Duxbury Press, 2000.

If you buy a second-hand copy of the textbook, the CD ROM with it will be useless! You will need to get a new copy of the CD ROM:

Decision Tools Suite for Practical Management Science: Spreadsheet Modeling and Applications , 2nd Edition, Published by Duxbury Press, 2001, ISBN: 0-534-39627-5. Available at: http://e-catalog.thomsonlearning.com or http://www.amazon.com

The authors maintain a website with software updates and additional information.

Grading

Your final grade will depend on the following breakdown.

Activity

Date

Percent of Grades

Homework Ongoing 25
Class discussions Ongoing 15
Quizzes Ongoing 10
Mid-term Thursday, March 11th (subject to change) 25
Final Tuesday, May 11th(8:00- 10:50) 25

Homework assignments and due dates can be found on the website.  It is your responsibility to keep up with the course schedule. Keep in mind that the schedule may change as class progresses, so check for changes frequently.  Each week, some problems will be assigned for homework.  All homework problems will be graded for completion, and a selection of them will be graded for correctness.  You may have problems assigned that are to be discussed in class.  For each class discussion problem, a student will be called upon to discuss his or her solution, so you must be prepared! The rest of the class should be involved in the discussion. You should each bring a disk to class with your spreadsheet solutions to show to the rest of the class.

All homework should be emailed to me before the beginning of class on the due date.  Any homework submitted after that time will be considered late.  Late homework will NOT be accepted.  It is your responsibility to make sure that all of your software is working well in time to submit homework assignments.  A computer lab is provided for your use; each machine in this lab has a copy of all course software, so faulty software is NOT a valid excuse for submitting homework late.  Neither are email problems (in this case, you may turn in a disk with your  homework assignment, but you should speak with me about it).  It is also your responsibility to ensure that emailed homework meets the following requirements:

Your name and student identification number should be at the top of the message.
List the date and time at which you send your message.
All spreadsheets and discussion should be included as either Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word attachments.  Any homework discussion included as text in the email message will be disregarded !
VERY IMPORTANT:  The subject line of your message should be precisely "MATH 327 HOMEWORK XX", where XX is the homework number on the schedule page.  If your subject line does not conform to this format, your homework is likely to be overlooked.

While discussion of homework problems is encouraged, each student should construct and submit his or her own homework solutions.

You will also be graded on your participation in class. Good participation involves:

Being prepared with a recommendation and supporting arguments

Asking clarifying questions that articulate any confusion you might be experiencing

Pursuing lines of inquiry that enhance the learning process by challenging assumptions and ideas constructively

Engaging in the learning process of others even after you think you understand

Helping to find ways to move the discussion forward especially when the class is struggling

In short, contributing to the learning process of the section

Good participation is not about:

Being right

Defending your position at all cost

Making yourself look “smart” or causing someone else to feel “stupid”

Sitting back passively after you understand something

In short, damaging the learning climate of the class

Consistent tardiness and/or failure to attend class will adversely affect your participation grade.  Also note that you are responsible for any material covered in class that may not be included in your textbook.  In the event that you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to catch up on what you have missed by asking the other students.

The mid-term and final will be given in class.  Absolutely no make-up exams will be given unless a university-approved excuse is provided.  When possible, excuses should be provided at least two weeks prior to the exam.

Additional Guidelines

All course participants are bound by the XXXX Honor System.  Students will be asked to signify their acceptance of the Honor System and their willingness to abide by all its terms by signing a statement with each exam.  Cheating in any form will not be tolerated.

To ensure a classroom environment conducive to success for everyone, please turn off all pagers and cell phones before class starts.

Please make an effort to arrive at class on time.  If you must enter the classroom late, be considerate and be as quiet as possible.

 Be reminded that possession of all firearms, weapons, and explosives of any kind is absolutely prohibited without written authorization of the President of the University.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require XXXX University to provide an 'academic adjustment' and/or a 'reasonable accommodation' to any individual who advises us of a physical or mental disability.  If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an academic adjustment or an accommodation, please arrange a meeting with me at your earliest convenience.

If you foresee any problems with adhering to the guidelines set in this syllabus, please discuss them with me as soon as possible.  The sooner we discuss problems, the more likely it is that we can solve them.

This syllabus is subject to change at any time at the discretion of the instructor.

Other Reading

Good introductory, applications-oriented texts that also include the basic theoretical background:

Ragsdale, Management Science: Spreadsheet Modeling & Decision Analysis, Second Edition, South Western College Publishing, 1997.

Winston, Operations Research: Applications & Algorithms, 3rd Edition, Duxbury Press, 1997.

Hillier & Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, Sixth Edition, McGraw Hill, 1995.

New Procedure for Homework Submission (Feb. 26 2004)

Go to www.blackboard.xxx.edu and log in

Choose Mathematical Modeling

Click on Tools

Choose Digital Drop Box

Choose Send File

Browse for your homework file.  Make sure that the file name includes your name and the homework number (or problem number)

Give your submission a title that includes your name and the homework or problem number, and enter any comments regarding your homework.

Click Send.