Course Description

Computer modeling simulations play a crucial role in all branches of business decision-making. This  course   systematically  explores  methodological  issues  in  connection  with  computer simulations. Special emphasis is put on the relation between models and simulations as well as on the role of computers in the practice of modeling and simulation for decision making. A simulation as used in this course is the execution of a model, represented by a computer program that gives information about the system being investigated. The simulation approach of analyzing a model is opposed to the analytical approach, where the method of analyzing the system is purely theoretical. As this approach is more reliable, the simulation approach gives more flexibility and convenience. The activities of the model consist of events, which are activated at certain points in time and in this way affect the overall state of the system. The points in time that an event is activated are randomized, so no input from outside the system is required.

Instructor’s Notes

Three  in-class  exams  will  be  administered  including  Quizzes  and  Final.  The  Final  will  be administered in Week 7 of class and Quizzes in Week 4 and 5. The quizzes may contain multiple- choice questions, short answer problems, or True/False questions. Content will be drawn from the prior material, readings (Quiz 1 will be drawn from the content in Week 1, 2 and 3 and Quiz 2 will be drawn from the content in Week 4). Failure to complete the exams during the class sessions will result in a zero unless alternate arrangements have been made at least 24 hours prior to the start of the exam or an emergency has caused your absence. This graded element is individual work. All problems will be graded using a rubric provided in courses.

Assignments will be given in Week 3 and 6 respectively. They will be uploaded in Courses prior to the above referenced weeks. Each assignment contains 1-2 analytics problems/scenarios that you must complete and upload to the Assignments link by the following Friday at 10:00 am pacific. Late work will not be accepted. All problems will be graded using a rubric provided in Courses. Although you may discuss these problems with others, the work you submit must be your own (do not exchange electronic files) and the rubric will penalize those who simply “work together” and turn in largely the same solution.

Graded Coursework

You will be graded on the following assessments:

Participation: Every session includes group- or individual-based class activities relevant to the topic of the week. Students are expected to actively participate/present their work to the class or instructor. Regular attendance is critical for successful completion of this course. Since class discussions and interactions are integral parts of the learning experience, each student is expected to arrive on time and come prepared to share their experience and insights. We expect students to attend  all  class   sessions.  Missing  3  class  sessions  will  result  in  failing  the  course.  Your participation grade will be positively affected by your consistent attentiveness in class activities (lectures, Q&A sessions, discussions, etc.). Consequently, it will be negatively affected by arriving late, leaving early, unexplained absences, inattentiveness, and use of electronic devices for non- class activities.

Assignments: Two  assignments will be given in Week 3 and 6. The due date for each assignment is presented in the following  table. Assignments must  be submitted individually in Courses.

Group Project: A group project will be assigned in Week 1 which must be uploaded in Courses. In this project, students will explore the application of simulation in business analytics. The question  will  be  discussed  in  the  first  session.  The  instructor  will  review  submissions  for originality. Although you may discuss these problems with other groups, the work you submit must be your own (do not exchange electronic files) and the rubric will penalize those who simply “work together” and turn in largely the same solution. This project is evaluated according to the following items.

. Summary Report:

Each group needs to submit a ONE-page summary of the group project. This summary includes; i) application domain (please refer to the Group Project Detail from Courses), ii) objective, iii) software to implement the project and iv) name of group members (first and last name). Deadline for submission is Week 2, Friday, 3 November @ 10:00am. Late submissions will not be accepted. This part carries 5% of your overall grade.     .

. Group Presentation:

Project findings to be presented in Week 5. Each group must prepare a 15 minute GROUP presentation (6 slides: each slide includes one topic covered in your final report). This part carries 10% of your overall grade     .

. Final Report:

Students are required to submit their final report in Week 5. Please refer to Group Project Detail from Courses for detailed sections that need to be covered in your report. Deadline  for   submission  is  Week   5,  Friday,  24  November   @   10:00am.     Late submissions will not be accepted. This part carries 25% of your overall grade.

Quizzes: Take the following quizzes in class.

.     Quiz 2:  Week 5 (Covering content in Week 4)

Final Exam: Take the cumulative Final Exam in class, Week 7, covering material from the entire term. Detailed Study Guide to be distributed in class Week 6.

Schedule

Note: This schedule is subject to change with notification.

Ragsdale: Spreadsheet modeling and decision analysis

https://www.cengage.com/c/spreadsheet-modeling-and-decision-analysis-a-practical-introduction-to- business-analytics-9e-ragsdale/9780357132098/

Frontline Solver:https://www.solver.com/sites/default/files/FrontlineSolversUserGuide2021.pdf.

Rees: Business risk and simulation modelling in practice:

https://pepperdine.on.worldcat.org/oclc/910475657

P&F: Simulation and optimization in finance

https://pepperdine.on.worldcat.org/oclc/674689249

Verschuuren: Excel simulations

https://pepperdine.on.worldcat.org/oclc/861481225

*Other online resources will be used and discussed during the lecture.

Grade Breakdown

Classroom Policies

Electronic Devices

During class time, the use of mobile devices (laptops, tablets, cellphones, etc.) is allowed only for taking notes and participating in sanctioned class activities. The use of devices for non-sanctioned activities is not allowed.

Required Technology

Students are expected to have the following installed and operable prior to the first-class meeting:

● Frontline Analytic Solver Platform (highly recommended): The instructions on how to download/install the software will be given in the first session of the class and in the Courses/Sakai platform. While you may use the standard  Solver add-in in Excel, the textbook tutorials often reference examples using the Analytic Solver. This software “add- in”  provides  many  more  features  that  provide  better  execution  and  interpretation  of optimization  modelling  such  as  sensitivity  analysis.  I  strongly  recommend  using  the Analytic Solver as there are analyses that would otherwise require more manual work when

using the add-in alone.

●   PepperdineGmail account

●   Google Meet, Hangouts, and Chat enabled on Gmail account ● Pepperdine Zoom account

●   Microsoft office, Excel.

Attendance Policy

Merely being present/just showing up does not always mean learning has happened. Grades and earning  points  should  be  based   on  active  participation  because  participation   is  linked  to achievement of learning outcomes. Active participation in each class is expected. When you miss class, you miss important information. If you  are absent, you are responsible for learning the material covered during class.

Resources for Student Success

Pepperdine Graziadio offers students a wide range of academic support resources designed to help students enhance their academic, writing, and communication skills and excel in the classroom.

Student Success Website

The Student Success website provides  a  variety  of resources  to  support  academic  success, including:

● Citation resources in APA, MLA,  and  Chicago citation  styles,  including  step-by-step tutorials, sample papers, and formatting guides

● Presentation resources for creating engaging and effective academic presentations and utilizing presentation technology

● Quantitative and Excel resources such as LinkedIn Learning courses, statistics tutorials, and Excel videos

Grammarly

All  Graziadio  students  are  provided   access  to   a free, premium Grammarly subscription. Grammarly is an online grammar and spelling checker that improves written communication by helping users find and correct writing mistakes. It also functions as a plagiarism checker, helps students to identify the appropriate tone of their writing, and much more. Students will receive an email with a link to activate their free account during approximately the third or fourth week of their firstterm (after the add-drop period).

Linkedin Learning

The LinkedIn Learning Online Training Library at  Pepperdine  University  is  a  professional development resource available to all students. LinkedIn Learning offers more than 15,000 online courses on a wide array of professional and creative skills and computer software, including time management, study skills, presentation technology, and group communication.

Library Services

Online library servicesare available through thePepperdine Libraries website, including access   to databases and e-journals, interlibrary loan, Harvard Business Review articles, research guides, and synchronous research support with a Librarian.

Turnitin

This course may require electronic submission of essays, papers, or other written projects through the plagiarism detection service Turnitin ( http://www.turnitin.com).  Turnitin is an  online plagiarism detection service that conducts textual similarity reviews of submitted papers. When papers are submitted to Turnitin, the service may retain a copy of the submitted work in the Turnitin database for the sole purpose of detecting plagiarism in future submitted works. Students retain copyright on their original course work. The use of Turnitin is subject to the Terms of Use agreement posted on the Turnitin.com website. You may request, in writing, to not have your papers submitted through Turnitin. If you choose to opt-out of the Turnitin submission process, you will need to provide additional research documentation and attach additional materials (to be clarified by the instructor) to help the instructor assess the originality of your work. Please view the Pepperdine Turnitin policy. Deliverables that will use Turnitin include the Group Project, Assignment 1 and 2.