BA 555 Practical Business Analysis (3)

Fall 2008

College of Business

Oregon State University

Instructor:	Ping-Hung Hsieh
Office:	Bexell 402
Office Phone:	737-6060
E-mail:	hsiehph@bus.orst.edu
Office Hours:	Monday 9:30 – 10:30 A.M. Tuesday 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. Wednesday 9:00 – 10:00 A.M.

Catalog Course Description

Advanced survey of quantitative business methods useful for aiding management decisions. Topics include a review of basic statistics, mathematical programming, business simulation, statistical process control, advanced regression analysis and forecasting. PREREQ: BA276 or equivalent, graduate standing

Course Objectives

The intent of BA 555 is to present a collection of quantitative techniques that will allow you to analyze business, economic and financial data. The content of this course will provide you the methodology to assess process improvement opportunities within an organization, enumerate process improvement alternatives, and evaluate the effects of these process improvements. Upon completion of this course, the student will:

· Be able to analyze business data and interpret the analysis;

· Make decisions based on an understanding of variability in business processes;

· Assess and analyze the chance or probability of events, and suggest appropriate business action in concert with that probability;

· Be able to use EXCEL, @Risk, PrecisionTree, and STATGRAPHICS to perform quantitative analyses. All software are available at the COB lab and the Valley Library. A full version of STATGRAPHICS can be obtained from the Milne Computer Center with no charge;

· Be able to read the business statistics literature.

Text

· A custom version of Anderson / Sweeney / Williams. (required)

· A small packet available at the OSU bookstore. (required)

· An introductory statistics book (optional) at the level of Levine/Krehbiel/Berenson (“Business Statistics: A First Course”), Keller/Warrach (“Statistics for Management and Economics, abbreviated edition”), or McClave/Benson/Sincich (“A Frist Course in Business Statistics”).

Grading

Course scores will be computed as follows.

Midterm Exams	80 (2 midterms, 40 points each)
Assignments	100 (5 assignments, 20 points each)
Final Exam	40

Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

A: 200.20 – 220.00	A minus: 198.00 – 200.19	B plus: 195.80 – 197.99
B: 178.20 – 195.79	B minus: 176.00 – 178.19	C plus: 173.80 – 175.99
C: 156.20 – 173.79	C minus: 154.00 – 156.19	D plus: 151.80 – 153.99
D: 134.20 – 151.79	D minus: 132.00 – 134.19	F: below 132.00

Important Matters

1. You are expected to adhere to the Oregon State University rules for academic honesty. These rules are stated in Academic Regulation. You should be familiar with the statement. Link to Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct, i.e., cheating policies http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm

2. Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. Academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception in one of the following areas:

· Cheating: use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids

· Fabrication: falsification or invention of any information

· Assisting: helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty

· Tampering: altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents

· Plagiarism: representing the words or ideas of another person as one’s own

You will receive F as your final class grade if I find any evidence of dishonesty regardless of severity. You will, however, have the opportunity to appeal to my decision.

3. The goal of Oregon State University is to provide students with the knowledge, skill and wisdom they need to contribute to society. Our rules are formulated to guarantee each student’s freedom to learn and to protect the fundamental rights of others. People must treat each other with dignity and respect in order for scholarship to thrive. Behaviors that are disruptive to learning will not be tolerated, and will be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. Behaviors which create a hostile, offensive or intimidating environment based on gender, race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation will be referred to the Affirmative Action Office.

4. Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098.

5. Assignments: All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the dates specified on the syllabus. 5 points will be deducted if you miss the deadline.

6. Midterm Exam: No make-up exam will be given and the student will receive zero points on the exam missed. For emergency or official university business, a make-up exam will be scheduled provided that the instructor is notified in advance and an official verification is presented.

7. Final Exam: Due to my travel schedule, there will be no make-up final exam. You will receive zero points if you miss the exam. For emergency or official university business, I will assign an Incomplete grade if an official verification is presented. The student will take the final examination during the finals week of the next year to remove the incomplete grade.

CLASS SCHEDULE