There are two main goals for the course: (1) to improve students’ ability to think logically about and to structure complex managerial problems; and (2) to improve students’ ability to develop Excel-based spreadsheet models that can be used to significantly improve managerial decision-making. The course will be taught almost entirely by example, using problems from the main functional areas of business—Finance, Operations, and Marketing. Students will learn about the two main types of modeling approaches: optimization models, i.e., models that can help find the “best” solution; and simulation models, i.e., models that allow explicit consideration of risk trade-offs associated with alternatives.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the Student Link for the most up-to-date course information.