UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
CIS 410: Business Simulation and Modeling Spring ‘01 Syllabus

Charles V. Balch M.Ed., MBA • Room B-213 • Division of Business Administration
Phone: Office 693-1310, Fax 693-1311, Home (V/F) 774-2975
Internet:
charlie@balch.org Class Page: http://alt-uvi.net/cis

Description

Basic principles of simulation and modeling with emphasis on the design and construction of various business models using high level programming languages and spreadsheet techniques. The use of modeling and simulation in the business decision-making process. Prerequisites: Two degree-credit courses in Mathematics, Computer Info. Systems 310. 3 credits

Text

Getting Started with GPSS/H Second Edition. Banks, Carson & Sy Wolverine Software Corp. 1995. No ISBN.

Mutual Understandings

The learning experience you are about to participate in is important. I worked hard to develop it and expect your full participation. You are expected to come to class on time, prepared and willing to participate.

Our classroom environment is important. Please don’t detract from everyone's experience. Disruptive behavior such as chronic late attendance, failure to focus on the current class work, personal conversations, and chronic use of cellular phones and beepers is penalized.

We all learn best when we understand why what we are learning is important. If you do not understand why the material is current and important, ask. I encourage you to challenge and critically analyze the material, concepts, theories and/or opinions offered.

Class work and tasks mimic "real world" business situations (including deadlines and revisions). Expect short presentations supplemented by examples, references to other material, student discussion and extensive hands-on work. Late work is penalized.

Grading is essential to the learning process. I grade on a criteria system not on the "curve." This means that you are not competing with each other for a limited number of higher grades. If you correctly fulfill all in-class and assigned work with superior quality and demonstrate complete understanding through testing, you will receive an A. Lesser efforts will receive lesser grades.

Through use of Discovery Learning methods you will "learn how to learn" and acquire the skills necessary to learn and apply material not covered in class. Mistakes are expected; they are part of the learning process. Your primary class missions are learning to avoid and overcome "mistakes." Expect assistance in finding answers but not answers. This method of learning takes a lot of time!

Many of you are attending school full time, working and have substantial family/social obligations. Traditionally students are expected to spend two to three hours of work outside of class for every hour of class time (that’s why 12 units is considered a full course load). If you are not prepared to spend substantial time out of class on course work, you should not be here. Take only the course load that you can handle; I will not diminish everyone’s learning experience to accommodate your personal agenda.

Class work is often very time consuming and there is temptation to copy work or to accept "too much" assistance. Teamwork is encouraged as long as every team member learns the material. If you are incapable of duplicating the work you hand in, you have accepted too much assistance and will do poorly on tests. A very important part of this class is that you learn that you are capable of teaching yourself. DO YOUR OWN WORK!

The UVI Course Catalog defines plagiarism as "passing off the ideas or work of another as one’s own without crediting the source." Copying homework is plagiarism. Both parties are guilty. Plagiarism is an Academic Offence. At UVI, the penalty for the first offence of plagiarism and other Academic Offences, such as cheating, is in an automatic F in the course.

Materials & Resources

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 2:30-4:00, Tuesday/Thursday 5:30-6:30. I am also available via appointment, voice mail and Email. You are strongly encouraged to call or visit.

Computer lab hours are posted outside the labs and at http://www.uvi.edu/Labs/general.htm . Student monitors are available in the computer labs to assist with but not do your homework.

Your UVI Email account in used to deliver assignments and other course information. Current course material, project assignments, class schedules, and grades are at http://faculty.uvi.edu/cbalch/cis.htm.

Two 3.5" DSHD 1.44 MB diskettes are required (the second disk is for backing up your data – damaged or lost disks are not an acceptable excuse). A holding case to protect your disks is recommended. Disks and cases are available at the UVI Bookstore or any office supply store.

It is illegal to make copies of copyrighted computer applications. It is legal to keep files created and/or distributed in class. If you wish to purchase software, I have access to educational discount programs.

Statement of Philosophy

Education is a cooperative process where we learn from each other. Learning depends on your unique abilities, motivation, expectations, interests and goals. I want to know what interests you. You must do your own learning.

My primary tasks are to facilitate your learning process by finding the educational modalities that best promote your learning process and to select the most desirable educational outcomes. Within the boundaries of course description and goals, there are a number of desirable educational outcomes. With your interests and goals in mind, my ultimate responsibility is to establish, describe, monitor and judge the learning objectives of this class.

Progressive levels of learning may be described as follows:

Knowledge: Knowing relevant facts, concepts, theories, and models.

Application: Knowing when knowledge applies and the methods and procedures for applying that knowledge.

Extension: The ability to figure out the ramifications, implications, limitations, and variations of knowledge and synthesizing to create/discover new knowledge and application.

Skill: The ability to successfully apply knowledge to analyze and solve real-world problems.

Our goal is the Skill level.

Teaching and Learning Methods

This course uses a number of modalities to deliver course content. When possible autotutorial and audiovisual modules supplement traditional teaching methods and provide both supplemental and alternative learning paths.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for:

prompt, prepared and regular attendance,

proper classroom behavior,

completing all tasks in a satisfactory manner by assigned deadlines,

to regularly review the calendar and grading information posted on the Internet,

to pass tests in each learning concentration,

to regularly consult with their instructor.

Grading

Tasks (40% of grade)

Tasks are graded on a 10 point scale. Complete tasks include a task description which contains your name, correct task number and name, due date, course title and relevant work. You may complete incomplete task work for a full score. Late work and improper task descriptions penalties can not be recovered. Task descriptions are subject to change -- like the real world they may even change after they have been assigned. The task list is constantly updated on the Internet. Anticipated tasks are posted but are subject to change. It is your responsibility to remain informed of expected class work.

Tests (30%)

Tests focus your attention on the material and insure that you are capable of doing all work on your own. The test content will strongly reflect the Tasks that you are assigned and in-class discussions. Tests are announced when sufficient material has been covered to warrant a test. Tests are scheduled in the class calendar and announced at least one week in advance. You may not bring any material to a test or communicate with anyone except me during a test. I generally do not answer questions unless it is information that I feel the entire class should hear. I draw your attention to penalties for Academic Dishonesty. For a variety of reasons, the opportunity to take a late test at other that the scheduled time is not generally offered.

Project Updates (20%)

An important part of any project is keeping track of where you are in the project and informing others of your progress. The written project update contains your current project goals (which may change), current efforts, anticipated efforts, current problems, anticipated problems, and how you plan to overcome those problems. You will also deliver regular oral reports to the class on the above information. Late project update reports are not acceptable.

Final Project (10%)

The Final Project is a culmination of all class work. Projects involve extensive research and formatting skills. Links to instructions, research materials and your selected topics are on the net in the grade section of this course. It would be wise to start work on your project long before it is due. You will not be able to do an acceptable job the night before! Your work must be in your own words and grammatically correct. You may change your topic to an unclaimed or alternative topic via Email. Alternative project topics must be approved. Topic changes are on a first come first served basis.