Distance MSc in Operational Research - Spreadsheet Modelling

Credit Value: 3
Tutors: John Quigley

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the course is to introduce spreadsheet modelling.

Throughout your other classes in this MSc OR degree you are introduced to quantitative approaches to modelling and problem structuring. This class will build on these skills by considering the spreadsheet as a tool to support the development of quantitative models.

Spreadsheets are a familiar tool to many people in business, and have gained in popularity as a modelling support tool because they facilitate easy manipulation of data and thus greatly reduce the time necessary to set-up and modify models. Moreover, analysis carried out in a spreadsheet is easily transferred into other software packages or plotted, so provides a good platform for writing reports.

Specifically, in this class you will be introduced to the development of spreadsheets models to support: linear and integer programming, allocation of resource problems, queuing theory and simulation. You will develop your skills at programming simple macros within Excel to exploit this technology to an even higher potential.

By the end of the course you should be able to:

• Create simple but appropriately organised spreadsheet models for complex problems
• Use the spreadsheet to solve optimisation problems
• Simulate stochastic events using the spreadsheet
• Create programs in Excel

Learning outcomes

Subject specific knowledge and skills

• Create simple but appropriately organised spreadsheet models for complex problems
• Use the spreadsheet to solve optimisation problems
• Simulate stochastic events using the spreadsheet
• Create programs in Excel

Cognitive abilities and non-subject specific skills

• Organise numerical data
• Develop quantitative models
• Critique appropriate visual displays of data

Content/Structure of class

Students will be provided with a series of exercises on the following topics: data entry and manipulation, visualisation of data, linear and integer programming, allocation of resource problems, queuing theory, simulation and Visual Basic Applications.

Reading List

The following may be of use but are not required:

• Statistics for Managers Using Excel David M. Levine, David Stephan, Timothy C. Krehbiel Prentice Hall; ISBN: 0130290904 3rd Ed 2002 Available from Amazon (UK)

Assessment

There will be one assignment.

Learning Outcomes

• Create simple but appropriately organised spreadsheet models for complex problems
• Use the spreadsheet to solve optimisation problems
• Simulate stochastic events using the spreadsheet
• Appreciate the use more complex packages, i.e. Maple 7, through Excel
• Create programs in Excel
• Create simple but appropriately organised spreadsheet models for complex problems

management science DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE Graham Hills BUILDING 40 GEORGE STREET G1 1QE
t:0141 548 3613/3141 f:0141 552 6686
contact-mansci@strath.ac.uk