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BA 275  Quantitative Business Methods

 

BA 275  Quantitative Business Methods

Fall 2005

 

Instructor:

Jim Moran

Office:

Bexell 334

Office Phone:

737-8871

E-mail:

moranj@bus.orst.edu

Office Hours:

Instructor:                              TA:  to be announced

Monday           12-1 pm          

Wednesday       1-2  pm                      

Thursday          11-12pm                     

 

Course Description

 

Management decision processes utilizing statistical methods, use and application of probability concepts, sampling procedures, statistical estimation, and regression to the analysis and solution of such business problems as income and cost estimation, sales forecasting, performance evaluation, inventory analysis, and quality control.

 

Course Objectives

 

This course teaches quantitative methods used in data analysis and business decision making. Topics covered include: descriptive statistics, correlation and regression, hypothesis testing, statistical process control, and forecasting. Business applications of these techniques are emphasized. Students in this course will acquire expertise in computer-based methods for data analysis and decision making, through computer analysis of business datasets.

 

Upon completion of this course, students will understand and be able to use STATGRAPHICS PLUS to analyze business, economic and financial data with various statistical tools.  (The software is available on all PC’s in the COB Computer Lab, Bexell basement; or on the free OSUware CD which is available in Milne Computer Center and the Valley Library.)

 

Prerequisite

 

Math 245 (probability, probability distributions, etc.) and sophomore standing.

 

Text

 

·         Keller and Warrack, Quantitative Business Methods, Custom 6th edition for BA 275 (required).

·         Student Solutions Manual (optional).  Several copies also available in the Circulation Dept, Valley Library, on a 2-hour checkout basis.

·         Excel-formatted Data Files for assigned problems are on the Student CD (and also in Blackboard under “K&W Data Files”)

 

Classroom Materials

 

All of the materials (syllabus, course packet, data files, announcements, etc.) are available on the campus Blackboard System.  č  https://my.oregonstate.edu      Be sure to get a hardcopy of the “Course Packet” as soon as possible and bring it, and a calculator, to every class.

******  BRING THE TEXT, COPY OF THE SLIDES & HANDOUTS,  *****

******  AND A CALCULATOR TO EVERY CLASS   *****

Grading  

 

       The examination process consists of:  two midterms, a take-home data analysis report (10pts + 5 pts bonus), and a final.  No alternate examination times are scheduled.  Bring a calculator and a pencil to all exams/quizzes.  All exams will be closed book and are scheduled during the 2nd class meeting.  Exams will cover material in the textbook, lectures, assigned & “other” problems, and Cyberstat tutorials.  

                  

       Approximate distribution of points for final grade & grade breakdown:

 

 

Mid-Terms (2@100)            (200)      

Data Anal Rpt (15)                (10)

Miscellaneous                        (20)    

Final                                       (130)   

                                              360                    

                               

   A

    B

   C

   D

   F

  90%

   80

  70

  60

<60

 

Exams, Schedules, & Attendance

 

·         No communication devices of any type are allowed in the classroom during exams/quizzes.

 

·         No make-up exams or quizzes will be given.  Students will receive zero points unless:  there are extreme circumstances; the instructor is notified in advance; and an acceptable written excuse or official verification is presented prior to rescheduling.  This includes the final exam.  There is no alternate scheduled time for the final exam.

·         Regular class attendance is strongly encouraged.  If you miss class, it is your responsibility to pick up missed handouts, etc.  I strongly suggest you team-up with another student to cover for you in the event you do miss a class. 

 

Important Matters

 

·         You are expected to adhere to the Oregon State University rules for academic honesty.  These rules are stated and/or referred to as Academic Regulations in the current term’s Schedule of Classes.  You should be familiar with this statement.

·         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:

o        cheating- use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids

o        fabrication- falsification or invention of any information

o        assisting- helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty

o        tampering- altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents

o        plagiarism- representing the words or ideas of another person as one's own

 

·         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.

·         Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, who have any emergency medical information the instructor should know of, or who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, should make an appointment with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term.  In order to arrange alternative testing, the student should make the request at least one week in advance of the test.  Students seeking accommodations must register with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.

 

·         All work which is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of this course must be solely completed by the student submitting the work.  Violations of this requirement will be formally addressed and students will receive no credit for the assignment.  This does not preclude the opportunity for students to “work together” before submitting the assignment.

CLASS SCHEDULE

 

Week #1 (week of Sept 26th ).  Exploring Data          

Topics:

Housekeeping

Introduction to Statistics (Chapter 1)

Descriptive Statistics and Graphical Methods (Chapters 2 and 3)

READ:  pp 2-6, 25-45, 48-55

CyberStats:

A-1: Basics & Practice 1 & 2

A-3: Basics & Practice 1

A-4: Uses & Practice 1, 2, & 3

A-5: Basics & Practice 1, 2, & 3

 

Assignment:

(p.16) 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, (p.30) 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 2.10, (pp.46-47) 2.12, 2.14, 2.16, 2.24(**SG), (pp.56-57) 2.39, 2.43, 2.44, 2.50(SG), 2.52(SG)

** č SG: Use Excel data file & StatGraphics

Week #2 (Oct 3rd ).  Exploring Data Data          

Topics:

Descriptive Statistics and Graphical Methods (Chapters 2, 3, and 4)

READ”  pp 93-115  (DO NOT USE EQUATIONS ON p 110)

CyberStats:

A-5: Uses & Practice 1, 2, 3, & 4

A-6: Basics & Practice 1, 2, & 3, Uses & Practice 1, 2, 3, & 4

A-9: Basics & Practice 1 & 2

 

Assignment:

(pp.100-101) 4.2, 4.4, 4.12(SG), 4.14(SG), 4.18(SG), (pp.108-109) 4.21, 4.22, 4.24, 4.27, 4.28, 4.36(SG), (pp.115-116) 4.40, 4.42, 4.44, 4.45, 4.46, 4.48(SG), 4.50(SG), 4.52(SG)

 

Week #3 (Oct 10th ).  Experiencing Random Behavior Data          

Topics:

Binomial Distribution (Chapter 7.6)  READ:  pp 184-193, 206-212

Intro to Z-table                                   READ: pp 233-237

CyberStats:

B-7: Basics & Practice 1, 2, & 3

 

Assignment:

(p.188) 7.8,  (p. 193) 7.22, 7.23,  (pp.213-214) 7.81, 7.84, 7.96, 7.98, 7.100, 7.101, 7.102, 7.103, 7.104

 

Week #4 (Oct 17th ).  Experiencing Random Behavior Data č  MIDTERM #1 this week        

Topics:

Normal Distribution (Chapter 8.3)

Sampling Distribution of the Statistic (Chapter 9.2)

READ: pp 231-233, 238-244, 270-281

** 1st midterm exam—2nd class meeting: Thurs, October 20th .

CyberStats:

B-9: Basics & Practice 1, 2, 3, & 4, Uses & Practice 1

B-11: Basics & Practice 1, 2, & 3, Example 1

 

Assignment:

(pp.244-245) 8.16, 8.18, 8.20, 8.22, 8.24, 8.26, 8.28, 8.30, 8.34, 8.36, 8.48, 8.50, (pp.282-283) 9.7, 9.8, 9.10, 9.15, 9.18, 9.19, 9.26

 

 

Week #5 (Oct 24th ).  Drawing Conclusions from Data Data          

Topics:

Statistical Inference: Confidence Intervals (Chapters 10, 12.1 and 12.2)

READ:  pp. 298-316, 355-364

CyberStats:

C-1: Unit Home, Think First, Basics & Practice 1, 2, & 3

C-1: Uses & Practice 1, Warnings & Practice 1

C2: Unit Home, Think First, Basics & Practice 1, 2, & 3

 

Assignment:

(p.311) 10.9 to 10.21, (pp.364-365) 12.1 to 12.10, 12.34, 12.35, 12.38, 12.39, (pp.316-317) 10.81, 10.82, 10.83, 10.84

 

Week #6 (Oct 31st ).  Drawing Conclusions from Data Data          

Topics:

Statistical Inference: Hypothesis Testing (Chapters 11, 12.1 and 12.2)

READ: pp 320-338, 355-359

CyberStats:

C-3: Unit Home, Think First

C-3: Basics & Practice 1, 2, & 3, Uses & Practice 1, 2, & 3

 

Assignment:

(pp.339-341) 11.13 to 11.22, 11.45, 11.48, 11.49, 11.53, (pp.365-366) 12.36, 12.37, 12.45, 12.46

 

Week #7 (Nov 7th ).  Drawing Conclusions from Data č MIDTERM #2 the week

Topics:

Statistical Inference about a Population Proportion (Chapter 12.4)

Statistical Inference about Two Populations (Chapters 13.1 and 13.2)

READ:  pp. 373-379, 392-407

***2nd midterm exam—2nd class meeting: Thurs, November 10th  

CyberStats:

C-7: Unit Home, Think First

C-7: Basics & Practice 1, 2, 3, & 4, Uses & Practice 1 & 2

C-8: Unit Home, Think First

C-8: Basics & Practice 1, 2, 3, & 4

 

Assignment:

(pp.380-381) 12.89, 12.91, 12.97, 12.107, 12.86, 12.92, 12.93, (p.388) 12.119, (pp.409-410) 13.33ab, 13.37ab

 

Week #8 (Nov 14th ).  Modeling Relationships Data          

Topics:

Simple Linear Regression (Chapter 17)

READ:  pp. 559-581

CyberStats:

A-7: Unit Home, Think First

A-7: Basics & Practice 1 & 2, Uses & Practice 1, 2, & 3

A-8: Unit Home, Think First

A-8: Basics & Practice 1, 2, & 3, Uses & Practice 2, 3, & 4

A-8: Warnings & Practice 1, Example 1

 

Assignment:

Use StatGraphics except for #17.3č

(pp.569-571)  17.2, 17.3 (do manually) 17.8, 17.9, 17.12, (p.582) 17.16, 17.22, 17.23, 17.26

 

Week #9 (Nov 21st ).  Modeling Relationships Data          č DATA ANAL RPT assigned

č HOLIDAY, No Class Meeting:  Thurs, Nov 24th

Topics:

Simple Linear Regression (Chapter 17)

Multiple Regression (Chapter 18)

READ: pp. 585-589, 597-603, 613-627

CyberStats:

D-1: Unit Home, Think First

D-1: Basics & Practice 1 & 2, Uses & Practice 1 & 2, Warnings 1

 

Assignment:

(pp.589-590) 17.49, 17.53, 17.54, 17.57, (p.604) 17.81, 17.82, (pp.607-608) 17.84, 17.85, 17.89, 17.90, (pp.627-630) 18.1, 18.4, 18.10, 18.11

 

 

Week #10 (Nov 28th ). Testing Qualitative Data    

č  Data Analysis Report Due:  2nd class meeting:  Thurs, Dec 1st

Topics:

Multiple Regression (Chapter 18)

Chi-Squared Test of a Contingency Table (Chapter 16.3)

 

READ:  pp. 532-544

CyberStats:

D-3: Unit Home, Think First

D-3: Basics & Practice 1, 2, & 3, Uses & Practice 1, 2, 3, & 4, Warnings 1

 

Assignment:

 (p. 545) 16.23,  (p. 554) 16.44

Finals Week (Dec 5th )

  *** Final exam @ December 7th, Wednesday, 4:00pm (Comprehensive,  Room: TBA).  No alternate exam times.

 

 

 


Information Regarding Cyberstats

1.       Registration.  č During this process, DO NOT EVER HIT THE  “çBACK BUTTON”.  If you do, you will have to email technical support (staff@cyberk.com) to get properly registered.

a.       Point your web browser to http://statistics.cyberk.com . 

b.       On the left hand side of the screen, click on “Register for Cyberstats”. 

c.       On the next screen, click on “Student Registration”. 

d.       Since you already have a PIN Code:  “Click here to go directly to our main registration area”.

e.       Then click on the “PIN CODE (pre-paid access)” button. 

f.        Enter the code:  “Submit PIN Code”

g.       Click on “Oregon State University – College of Business, BA 275 Business Quantitative Methods, Primary Instructor: Jim Moran”. 

h.       Fill out the form and choose a username and password.

2.       Doing a Cyberstats session.  Go to http://statistics.cyberk.com  and click on “Login to Cyberstats”.  Enter your username and password to start a Cyberstats session.

 

Note:  If you have not had your COB picture taken or if it is “out-dated”, be sure to have it taken by the COB electronic photo staff by the 2nd class of the term.  They are located in the COB Computer Lab, basement of Bexell Hall.

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This syllabus is a guide, not a contract, and therefore may be changed as necessary.  If changes are made, I will announce and discuss them in class.