Course Title Spreadsheet Modeling & Analytics Course OPRE 6332 Term Fall 2017 Section Day Time Location OPRE 6332 001 Wed 16:00-18:45 PM JSOM 2.115 OPRE 6332 501 Thu 19:00-21:45 PM JSOM 1.102 OPRE 6332 502 Fri 19:00-21:45 PM JSOM 11.210 s Contact Information Professor Email Kannan Ramanathan kxr087000@utdallas.edu Phone (972) 883-5953 Office Location JSOM 3.622 Office Hours Thursday 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, by appointment only Last office hours on November 28th 2017 You can meet with either TA. Make sure you have scheduled an appointment. Teaching Assistant's Contact Information Name Elizabeth Wilson Email eaw160330@utdallas.edu Office JSOM 2.604 Office Hours Mondays 2:30-3:30 pm Thursdays 5:30-6:30 pm Teaching Assistant's Contact Information Name Sundar Venkataraman Email sxv160930@utdallas.edu Office JSOM 2.604 Locatio Office Hours Tuesdays 4:00-5:00pm Fridays 5:00-6:00pm Kannan Ramanathan - Page 1 of 6
Course Description This course introduces the basic concepts of model building and encourages students to take an analytical view of business decision making. Microsoft Excel (Versions 2013/2016, Windows Environment) is used to build models. The course covers concepts in effective spreadsheet design and use, and students acquire knowledge about specific decision making techniques for business, such as optimization. Students build spreadsheet models to identify choices, formalize trade-offs, specify constraints, perform sensitivity analyses, and analyze the impact of uncertainty. Applications in supply chain management, transportation, marketing and finance are examined. Note: This is a fun, but demanding, course. Each week, you should be able to commit a lot of time to prepare for each class, and to complete homework assignments which are a significant part of your grade. Learning Objectives Required Text 1 be able to identify the conceptual structure of a decision or planning problem 2 understand the logic associated with the components and process of model development 3 assess the significance and limitations of model outputs for managerial insights and action 4 appreciate the power and limitations of MS Excel in modeling 5 appreciate the potential of management science in addressing management issues Quizzes and exams will be based on the tenth edition of the textbook. The tenth edition has been revised and contains new material. Also Required: At the conclusion of this course, the student should: Introduction to Spreadsheet Modeling and Analytics Tenth Edition, by Kannan Ramanathan Do not use a photocopied or scanned version of the textbook Copyright violation is prohibited by law Three copies of the book will be on reserve in the library. You can use this resource for free. Excel 2013 or 2016 (Windows Platform - Any version) you can use a Mac; but I am not familiar with Mac Book will be available at UTD bookstore ONLY. Flashdrive - with at least 0.5 GB DO NOT COME TO CLASS WITHOUT A LAPTOP OR WITHOUT A FLASHDRIVE Note: make sure you are using Excel 2013 or 2016 Kannan Ramanathan - Page 2 of 6
Assignments & Academic Calendar The following is a tentative schedule, which I will try to follow as closely as possible. Should any changes become necessary, I will announce it in class and by email sent to your UTD email address. Week Section Day Date 1 001 Wed Aug-23 Chapters 1 through 6 501 Thu Aug-24 502 Fri Aug-25 FOR EACH QUIZ AT THE TESTING CENTER, YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR SEAT 2 001 Wed Aug-30 Chapters 7 through 11 Topic Getting started with Excel; the command system; the file system; navigation; working with data; referring to data 501 Thu Aug-31 Validating data; Naming Cells; Protecting and Backing Up Data; Formatting; Functions 502 Fri Sep-01 3 001 Wed Sep-06 Quiz 1 - For details see course page on elearning 501 Thu Sep-07 502 Fri Sep-08 4 001 Wed Sep-13 Review of Quiz 1 Chapters 12-13 Date and Time Functions; Lookup and Reference Functions 501 Thu Sep-14 502 Fri Sep-15 Chapters 14-16 Logical Functions, Math Functions, String Functions 5 001 Wed Sep-20 Quiz 2 - For details see course page on elearning 501 Thu Sep-21 502 Fri Sep-22 Chapters 17-18 Information Functions; Finance Functions 6 001 Wed Sep-27 Review of Quiz 2 501 Thu Sep-28 Chapter 18 502 Fri Sep-29 Finance Functions Review for Mid-Term Exam 7 8 001 Wed Oct-04 501 Thu Oct-05 502 Fri Oct-06 001 Wed Oct-11 501 Thu Oct-12 502 Fri Oct-13 Mid-Term For details see course page on elearning No class for Sec 001, 501 and 502 after Mid-Term Review of MidTerm. This review is your only opportunity to discuss questions relating to the MidTerm. Do not miss this review as I will not discuss the MidTerm later or during office hours. Chapter 19 Spreadsheet modeling and What-If Analyses 9 001 Wed Oct-18 Chapter 19 Spreadsheet modeling and What-If Analyses 501 Thu Oct-19 Chapter 20 Introduction to Optimization 502 Fri Oct-20 Kannan Ramanathan - Page 3 of 6
10 001 Wed Oct-25 Practice with modeling problems (chapter 20) 501 Thu Oct-26 502 Fri Oct-27 11 001 Wed Nov-01 501 Thu Nov-02 502 Fri Nov-03 12 001 Wed Nov-08 501 Thu Nov-09 502 Fri Nov-10 Practice with modeling problems (chapter 20) Quiz 3 - For details see course page on elearning Chapters 21 through 22 Filters, pivot tables 13 001 Wed Nov-15 Review of Quiz 3 501 Thu Nov-16 502 Fri Nov-17 Chapter 23 Introduction to Visual Basic for Applications 14 001 Wed Nov-22 Fall & Thanksgiving Break 501 Thu Nov-23 No Class (No class this week for Section 001 to be in sync with other sections.) 502 Fri Nov-24 Kannan Ramanathan - Page 4 of 6
15 001 Wed Nov-29 Quiz 4 - For details see course page on elearning 501 Thu Nov-30 502 Fri Dec-01 Introduction to Visual Basic for Applications Review for final Course Concluded 16 001, 501, 502 Sat Sun Mon Dec-09 Dec-10 Dec-11 Final - For details see course page on elearning The course focuses on learning-by-doing. It involves a combination of lectures and extensive class discussions and student presentations, of materials from the textbook. My intent is to help you think through the issues in a given context, and to help you articulate your arguments in class discussions clearly and concisely. Students are expected to read the assigned material before coming to class, and to attend all classes. The course grades will be based on the weights shown below: Attendance/homework assignments/presentation/class participation Quiz 1 You are required to do 4 quizzes. All four quizzes are required. If you miss one quiz for a 8% Quiz 2 documented reason (business travel, or illness) then, for that quiz, you will get 50% of the 8% average from all other gradable assignments. You do not get any points if you miss a quiz Quiz 3 8% and do not submit any documents in support of your absence. Also, you are allowed to miss Quiz 4 one quiz only - and again, for documented reasons only. Please note that there are no makeup 8% assignments or quizzes or exams. You can attend class or take quiz/exams only with your section. Mid-Term 30% Final 30% Penalty for Cell Phone use / Internet use during class (each instance) -5% 8% Kannan Ramanathan - Page 5 of 6
Class Attendance, Participation, Professional Conduct Points for class participation will be based on your punctuality, regular attendance, quality and extent of discussion in class, and during guest lectures. Class participation requires your studying class materials before the class. I will also expect you to maintain professional conduct and decorum inside the class room. USE OF CELL PHONES, TEXTING, EMAILING, AND SURFING THE INTERNET ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN DURING CLASS HOURS - A VIOLATION CARRIES A PENALTY OF 5% FROM YOUR FINAL GRADE. Please Note: Grades will NOT be curved. There are no make up quizzes or other provisions for extra credit. If you need to review your tests/exams/quiz/homework, you need to schedule an appointment with the TA, within one week of the grade for that assignment being posted. If you miss a class, ask one of your class mates as to what you missed. I cannot reschedule any quiz/exam to a different date - please do not ask. Grades will be based on the following point ranges which may differ from other courses: Points Range Letter Grade 0-74 F 75-76 C 77-79 C+ 80-82 B- 83-85 B 86-89 B+ 90-92 A- 93-100 A Comet Creed This creed was voted on by the UT Dallas student body in 2014. It is a standard that Comets choose to live by and encourage others to do the same: As a Comet, I pledge honesty, integrity, and service in all that I do. An example of such conduct includes not making / using illegal photocopies, or scanned copies, of the textbook. UT Dallas Syllabus Policies and Procedures The information contained in the following link constitutes the University s policies and procedures segment of the course syllabus. Please go to http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies for these policies. The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor. Kannan Ramanathan - Page 6 of 6
Homework Assignments - Sections 001, 501 and 502 Homework What is included? Format Complete by 11:30 pm on Where? APPROXIMATE Number of Questions Time (Minutes) HW1 Chapter 18 Multiple Choice Sat, Oct-14 From anywhere 25 120 HW2 Chapter 19 Multiple Choice Sat, Oct-28 From anywhere 15 120 HW3 Chapter 20 Multiple Choice Sat, Nov-04 From anywhere 10 120 HW4 Chapter 21 and 22 Multiple Choice Sat, Nov-18 From anywhere submit one workbook 120 Only one attempt is allowed for the homework. Make sure you complete homework ahead of time in case elearning, your computer, internet etc., do not work as they should. It is your responsibility to submit on time. Do not email your homework to the TA or to the professor.
Quiz What is included? Format Date Duration Approximate Number of Questions Section 001 Section 501 Section 502 Q1 Chapters 1-10 Multiple Choice Wed, Sep-06 Thu, Sep-07 Fri, Sep-08 1 hour 50 Q2 Chapters 1-16 Multiple Choice Wed, Sep-20 Thu, Sep-21 Fri, Sep-22 1 hour 50 Q3 Chapter 20 only Submit Workbook Wed, Nov-08 Thu, Nov-09 Fri, Nov-10 1 hour Not applicable Q4 Chapters 19, 21, 22 Multiple Choice Wed, Nov-29 Thu, Nov-30 Fri, Dec-01 1 hour 15 Students from Sections 001 can take the quiz between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM on the date shown above Students from Sections 501 and 502 can take the quiz between 8:30 AM and 8:00 PM on the date shown above Please note quiz will automatically close at 5:00pm or 8:00 pm, irrespective of whether you have finished or not Students from one section will NOT be able to take their quiz with another section (absolutely no exceptions) Section 001 will have class after the quiz, starting at 5:15 PM. It is your responsibility to come to class on time Section 501,502 will have class after the quiz, starting at 8:15 PM. It is your responsibility to come to class on time Students from Section 001,501,502 will need to make a reservation at the Testing Center Note that the Testing Center will not allow walk-ins If you miss making a reservation, and miss taking the quiz, I will not be able to assist you, or give you a make-up quiz
Exams What is included? Format Date Duration Approximate (may be less Number of than) Questions Section 001 Section 501 Section 502 MidTerm Chapters 1-17 Multiple Choice Wed, Oct-04 Thu, Oct-05 Fri, Oct-06 2 hours 75 Final Chapters 1-23 Multiple Choice 12/9/2017 To 12/11/2017 2.5 hours 40 The duration of the exam may be less than the times shown above. You will need to book a time slot for two hours or two-and-ahalf hours as indicated above Students from Section 001,501 and 502 can take the mid-term and final between 8:30 AM and 9:00 PM on the dates shown above Students from Section 001, 501, 502 will need to make a reservation at the Testing Center Note that the Testing Center will not allow walk-ins Students from one section will NOT be able to take their mid-term or final with another section There will be no class, for any sections, after the mid-term or final