This course deals with model building, multiple regression analysis, and related methods useful in a business environment. Microcomputer software will be utilized throughout the course, with necessary computing skills being taught as the course proceeds. However, students are expected to already possess some basic familiarity with microcomputer applications. Prerequisite: STAT 151 or SCI 151. Credit will be granted for only one of MGTSC 312 and STAT 252.
This course is concerned with methods used to predict the uncertain nature of business trends in an effort to help managers make better decisions and plans. Such efforts often involve the study of historical data and manipulation of these data to search for patterns that can be effectively extrapolated to produce forecasts. This is a business statistics course that covers all aspects of business forecasting where the emphasis is on intuitive concepts and applications. Topics covered include the family of exponential smoothing methods, decomposition methods, dynamic regression methods, Box-Jenkins methods and judgmental forecasting methods (e.g. the Delphi method). Because forecasting is best taught through practice, the course contains numerous real, relevant, business oriented case studies and examples that students can use to practice the application of concepts. Prerequisites: MGTSC 312, MGTSC 352 or OM 352.
This course begins with a survey of graphical and numerical techniques available for studying and describing data. Following an introduction to probability distributions, an overview of statistical inference for means and proportions is provided. Regression, analysis of variance and decision analysis are then utilized to analyze data and support decision making. Time series models are also briefly discussed. The data and decisions analyzed throughout the course will be representative of those commonly encountered by managers. During the required lab sessions, spreadsheet analysis of data, Monte Carlo simulation and the use of software for statistical analysis will be presented. Not open to students who have completed MGTSC 511 and MGTSC 521.