Lahore University of Management Sciences. DISC 112 Computers and Problem Solving Spring Semester 2018

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1 Instructor M. Adeel Zaffar Room No. SDSB room no.403 Office Hours TBA Telephone 8026 Secretary/TA Sec: Ahmad Ali TA: TBA Course URL (if any) DISC 112 Computers and Problem Solving Spring Semester 2018 COURSE BASICS Credit Hours 4 Lecture(s) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week 2 Duration 75 minutes Recitation/Lab (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week Duration Tutorial (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week Duration COURSE DISTRIBUTION Core Elective Open for Student Category Close for Student Category Yes Freshmen only COURSE DESCRIPTION Problem solving is an essential skill that managers use in their decision making processes. In view of the pervasive use of computers, the contemporary manager must be aware of the tools and techniques that support problem solving and decisionmaking in the modern business environment. This course aims at developing a basic understanding of a) the theory of information systems and the role of IS in managing information, b) fundamentals of problem solving techniques using spreadsheets with particular emphasis on effectively presenting relevant information (such as through the development of dashboards), and c) elementary concepts of computer programming to better understand and support the development of decision support models. COURSE PREREQUISITE(S) NA COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Develop a broad understanding of fundamental concepts of managing information technology and computing in the modern business environment which include a. Information systems to support the information and decision making requirements of managers at all levels within the organization b. Types of information systems commonly used in organizations such as functional and cross functional systems c. Networked or connected systems and the challenges and opportunities they present across different types of organizations d. Data resource management systems and their importance particularly in the context of the large volumes of data that organizations have to manage in today s environment 2. Introduce students to the concept of modeling for improved decision making with particular emphasis on developing

2 a. a systematic approach towards building, analyzing and interpreting results of simple spreadsheet based models b. effective data representation skills 3. Introduce students to computer programming fundamentals LEARNING OBJECTIVES To introduce students to the concept of modeling as the process of building, refining and analyzing the representation of data for greater insights and improved decision making To equip students with technical skills of working with the spreadsheet software, Excel To develop skills that enable effective data representation To introduce students to databases and explain how data can be extracted from these into decision models To introduce students to how Information Systems can support the information needs of decision makers at various levels within the modern organization To introduces students to the various challenges that a business manager might face in managing the development, implementation and operations of information technology in an organization To introduces students to the business value of implementing data resource management processes and technologies in an organization UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS & OBJECTIVES General Learning Goals & Objectives Goal 1 Effective Written and Oral Communication Objective: Students will demonstrate effective writing and oral communication skills Goal 2 Ethical Understanding and Reasoning Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to identify and address ethical issues in an organizational context. Goal 3 Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to identify key problems and generate viable solutions. Goal 4 Application of Information Technology Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to use current technologies in business and management context. Goal 5 Teamwork in Diverse and Multicultural Environments Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to work effectively in diverse environments. Goal 6 Understanding Organizational Ecosystems Objective: Students will demonstrate that they have an understanding of Economic, Political, Regulatory, Legal, Technological, and Social environment of organizations. Major Specific Learning Goals & Objectives Goal 7 (a) Discipline Specific Knowledge and Understanding Objective: Students will demonstrate knowledge of key business disciplines and how they interact including application to real world situations (Including subject knowledge). Goal 7 (b) Understanding the science behind the decision making process (for MGS Majors) Objective: Students will demonstrate ability to analyze a business problem, design and apply appropriate decision support tools, interpret results and make meaningful recommendations to support the decision maker PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Goal 1 Effective Written and Oral Communication Goal 2 Ethical Understanding and Reasoning Goal 3 Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES Objective 3 Objectives 1 and 2 COURSE ASSESSMENT ITEM

3 Goal 4 Application of Information Technology Goal 5 Teamwork in Diverse and Multicultural Environments Goal 6 Understanding Organizational Ecosystems Goal 7 (a) Discipline Specific Knowledge and Understanding Goal 7 (b) Understanding the science behind the decision making process GRADING BREAKUP AND POLICY Objectives 5 7 Objectives 1 4 Lab Assignment(s): 25% Unannounced Quizzes: 10% Lecture Attendance: 5% Midterm Examination (Lecture + Lab component): ( )% Final Examination (Lab based): 30% COURSE OVERVIEW LECTURE SCHEDULE LEC TOPICS Module 1: Information Systems 1 Course Introduction 2 Information Systems in 3 Global Businesses Enterprise Business Systems 7 Telecommunication & 8 Networks 9 e Commerce and m 10 Commerce 11 Information Systems Development 12 Data Resource 13 Management Mid Term RECOMMENDED READINGS Chapter 1 Chapter 9 Chapter 7 Chapter 10 Chapter 13 Chapter 6 SESSION OBJECTIVE(S) Introduce format of the course Operational aspects (LMS and Zambeel) Brief historical overview of modern computing How do modern organizations compete with IT? Understanding the fit between business and IT strategy What is an Information System? Understand information needs at various levels within the organization and the different kinds of decisions they facilitate Understand different types of information systems (from functional to cross functional and enterprise information systems) Understand fundamental networking concepts that enable the networked organization Familiarize students to the fundamental concepts involved in e commerce, m commerce and related payment systems. Familiarize students with the fundamentals of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) Introduce the concept of waterfall vs. agile development Introduce students to the fundamentals of data management in organizations

4 Module 2: Introduction to Modeling Problem Solving by 16 Computer Modeling Fairhurst Chapter 1 & 2 Introduce students to problem solving and model building 17 Introduction to Influence Introduce students to influence diagrams Powell & Baker Chapter 2 18 Diagrams 19 Introduce students to the broad concept of What If 20 What If Analysis Curtis Frye: Chapter 8 analysis as part of building models and interpreting outcomes to support decision making process Module 3: Introduction to Computer Programming 21 Introduction to Introduce students to the importance of understanding Programming using VBA basic concepts in computer programming using Macros 22 Variables and Introduce the concept of storing information in Calculations memory and performing calculations Conditional statements Revisit conditional statements (If Then Else) 25 Introduce students to the concept and use of repeating Loops 26 statements using loop commands 27 Procedures Introduce students to good programming practices 28 Functions through the use of procedures and functions 29 Introduce students to the concept of simple data Arrays 30 structures using Arrays COURSE OVERVIEW LAB SCHEDULE LABS TOPICS Course Introduction, File Management, Assignment 1 LUMS, Basic framework of model building Introduction to Spreadsheets: Cells, 2 Ranges, Worksheets & Workbooks, Formatting and Entering Data, 3 Performing Calculations of Data Advance Excel Functions (logical, 4 statistical and lookup functions) Filtering Specific Data, Sorting Data, 5 Validating Data 6 Creating Charts and Tables 7 Combining data from multiple sources RECOMMENDED READINGS Curtis Frye: Chapter 1 & 2; Curtis Frye: Chapter 3 & 4 Curtis Frye: Chapter 5, 6, 10 Curtis Frye: Chapter 7 8 MIDTERM No Lab Class 9 Influence Diagram What if Analysis VBA Programming, Defining Variables SESSION OBJECTIVE(S) Introduce students to model building Familiarize students with the basic spreadsheet modeling environment Develop MS Excel skills such as limiting data, manipulating worksheet data, sorting worksheet data, organizing data into levels and creating charts Develop students ability to pull data into their spreadsheet model from text files, other databases and/or the web Practice development of influence diagrams Understand the use of Excel s What if Analysis options (Goal Seek, Data Table and Scenario Manager) Develop sufficient understanding of programming with VBA that students can

5 12 Conditional Statements develop a simple dashboard 13 Loops 14 Procedures and Functions 15 Arrays TEXTBOOK(S)/SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (2013), 12th edition by Kenneth C. Laudon, Jane P. Laudon Frye, Curtis D. (2010) Step by Step: Microsoft Excel 2010, Microsoft Press. Powell, S. G. and Baker, K. R. (2009) Management Science: the Art of Modeling with Spreadsheets, 3/e, Wiley. Fairhurst, D.S. (2012) Using Excel for business analysis a guide to financial modeling fundamentals. Wiley.