MBA 510 Foundations of Quantitative Methods Fall Semester 2013 Dr.

Tonya Balan
Course Description: An introduction to the theory, principles and application of statistical and other quantitative analytic techniques which provides an effective means of managerial practices such as business performance appraisal, market trend evaluation and managerial decision making. Goals and Objectives: By the conclusion of this course, students should be able to: Understand and apply certain key statistical concepts Critically read and interpret articles and reports containing statistical information and results Recognize opportunities where analytical methodology can be used to inform and drive business decisions Required Reading: Concise Managerial Statistics, 2006 edition, by Kvanli, Pavus, & Keeling Recommended Reading: Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning , by Davenport and Harris Numbers Rule Your World by Kaiser Fung Statistical Analysis with Excel for Dummies by Joseph Schmuller

Course Requirements: Your grade will be determined by tests, homework, and a team project as described below: Two tests, each worth 25% Homework worth a total of 10% Project worth 10% Final Exam worth 30%

Grading Scale: A = 90 100 B = 80 89 C = 70 - 79 F = Below 70

Course Outline: Aug 27 Sep 3 Sep 10 Sep 17 Sep 24 Oct 1 Oct 8 Oct 15 Oct 22 Oct 29 Nov 5 Nov 12 Nov 19 Nov 26 Overview, basic concepts, summary and description of data Summary and description of data (cont) Probability concepts Probability distributions Test 1 Sampling and basic statistical inference Hypothesis testing Comparing 2 or more populations Regression Regression (cont) Test 2 Categorical data Presentation of Projects and Exam Review Final Exam Due by 11:00pm

Homework: Working problems is essential to being able to grasp the concepts that will be covered in this class. Therefore, I will be assigning problems almost every week that will help to reinforce the material covered in class. Your homework grade will be based on how many assignments you complete. For example, if we have 10 homework assignments during the semester and you turn in 8 of them, then you will get 80% for your homework grade. I will post solutions to each assignment so that you can check your work for accuracy. Class Participation: Please read the assigned material in advance. Your preparation for class and your willingness to contribute will be evaluated subjectively. Please treat everyone in the class with tolerance, respect, and courtesy. Please also turn off your cell phone and any other similar devices during class time. Project: I will post a list of potential project topics to the course website. You will need to use the techniques learned in class to explore the data and draw conclusions based on the data. You will then need to create a short presentation that you will deliver to the class explaining your conclusions. You will need to turn in a copy of your presentation. You do not need to write a formal paper. You may choose to work alone or in groups of 2-3 people. Final Exam: The final exam will be a take home exam that will be due on Nov 26th.

Contact Information: All of the information for this class will be posted on my class website: http://drtonyabalan.weebly.com/ You may contact me via e-mail using the following e-mail address: balanton@meredith.edu I will do my best to reply to all e-mail messages the same day. However, if you need a fairly immediate response, please text me at (919) 840-8440 to let me know that I have a message waiting. If you need to contact me by phone, please call my mobile at (919) 840-8440. Office Hours: By appointment only. However, I will also try to be available on campus for a few minutes before each class if you want to meet. Honor Code: The students and faculty at Meredith support a strong honor system. The Statement of Honor is as follows: We, the Meredith Community, are committed to developing and affirming in each student a sense of personal honor and responsibility. Uncompromising honesty and forthrightness are essential elements of this commitment. The Honor System is a method by which individual honors are protected and maintained. Any dishonorable action will be regarded as a violation of this commitment, and corrective action will be taken. If I am in violation of the Honor Code, to prevent jeopardizing the Honor System or weakening our system of self-government, I have an obligation to report myself to the proper authorities. If I am aware of a violation of the Honor System by another student, I shall call this matter to the attention of that student as a violation of responsibility to the community. In choosing Meredith College, I am accepting the Honor System as a way of life. As a Meredith student, I am responsible for insuring that the Honor System is at all times carried out. Inclement Weather Policy: In the event of snow or other weather emergency, students should consider their safety first. You can call or text (919) 840-8440 after 2:00pm to see if I will be able to come to class. I will also send out an e-mail to let you know if class is cancelled. If class is canceled, all assignments and scheduled quizzes will be automatically deferred to the next class meeting. If classes are canceled campus-wide, it will be announced on the College website, on WRAL, and by recorded message at 832-8878. Attendance Policy: This class has no formal attendance requirement. However, the collaborative nature of learning in the MBA program and success in the class depend upon faithful and regular attendance.