Aims

To introduce students to the quantitative techniques necessary for modern business decision making.
To enable students to present data in an appropriate format.
To introduce students to the concept of uncertainty.

Outline Of Syllabus

Sampling methods; Data presentation - graphical methods and summary statistics; Probability ideas; Decision making; Probability distributions; Discrete and continuous distributions, e.g. Binomial, Poisson, Exponential and Normal; Estimation; Confidence intervals; Hypothesis testing; Goodness of fit tests; Regression; Forecasting; Resource Allocation; Market research and Quality control.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Tutorials are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems , to identify and resolve specific queries raised by students and to allow students to receive individual feedback on marked work. Office hours provide an opportunity for more direct contact between individual students and the lecturer.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework in each semester consists of a written assignment counting for approximately 10% and approximately three computer based assessments of equal weight counting for approximately 10% in total. The written assignments and CBA are designed to ensure that the students are following the module and to give feedback on how well they are coping. The exam tests a student's ability to apply the theory to relevant questions.