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Unit of study_

QBUS2310: Management Science

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The ability to understand and mathematically formulate decision problems is a fundamental skill for managers in any organisation. This unit focuses on basic management science modelling techniques used in capacity planning, production management, and resource allocation. Students learn to approach complex real-life problems, formulate appropriate models and offer solution procedures to ensure optimal use of resources. Methods include linear programming, integer programming, quadratic programming, and dynamic programming.

Unit details and rules

Unit code QBUS2310
Academic unit Business Analytics
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ECMT2620
Prerequisites
? 
Students commencing from 2018: QBUS1040; Pre-2018 commencing students: BUSS1020 or DATA1001 or ECMT1010 or ENVX1001 or ENVX1002 or STAT1021 or ((MATH1005 or MATH1015) and MATH1115) or 6 credit points of MATH units which must include MATH1905.
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Simon Loria, simon.loria@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final exam
Written exam
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Individual Assignment 1
A written assignment submitted on Turnitin covering material from W1 - 4.
10% Week 06
Due date: 15 Apr 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 25 Apr 2021
N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam Mid-semester exam
Written exam
30% Week 07
Due date: 21 Apr 2021 at 11:00
1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Individual Assignment 2
A written assignment submitted on Turnitin covering material from W5 - 10
10% Week 12
Due date: 30 May 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 09 Jun 2021
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Individual assignments: Students will be required to model real-life business problems/cases. They will also be required to solve the model using computer software and provide managerial insights and recommendations.
  • Mid-semester exam: A 90 minute open book exam designed to  test student understanding of the theoretical principles and modelling applications covered in the first 6 weeks of the course. There will be no additional reading time. There is no programming component, but students may be asked to interpret computer output and partial models which will be provided.
  • Final exam: A 2 hour open book exam which will test student understanding of the theoretical principles and modelling applications covered in weeks 1 – 13 of the course. There is no programming component, but students may be asked to interpret computer output and partial models which will be provided.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

All assignments submitted after the due date will be penalised at the rate of 5% per day. Assignments submitted after the closing date will score zero.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introdution to management science Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 02 Linear programming: model formulation and graphical solution Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Linear programming: computer solution and sensitivity analysis Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Linear programming: modelling examples Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Integer programming Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Transportation, Transshipment and Assignment problems Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Mid Semester Exam Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Network flow models Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Goal Progamming Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Project management Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Non-linear programming Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Queuing analysis Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Wrap up and exam review Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures are presented live on Zoom and recorded on Echo, the recording of which will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Introduction to Management Science: Global Edition, 11/E or later by Bernard Taylor.

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library using Canvas.​

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. select between basic models of management science according to the business context
  • LO2. create models for management decision making
  • LO3. identify the potential limitations of the models and suggest creative solutions to overcome model weaknesses
  • LO4. make decisions based on the output of the management science model
  • LO5. use special software tools for solving and analysing management science models.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.