Overview
MGSC 405 provides students with an introduction to an area of management science that is sometimes called “operations research.” The objective of this course is to have you develop an appreciation of the management science approach to problem formulation and solution that is now so important in today’s business and industrial sectors. The course focuses on quantitative approaches to decision making and introduces you to a variety of management science models, methods, and procedures. In this course, a greater emphasis is placed on problem modelling and the interpretation of results, and less emphasis is given to mathematical techniques and solution algorithms.
Credits earned in MGSC 405 may be applied toward the Canadian Operational Research Society (CORS) diploma.
Learning outcomes
After completing MGSC 405, students should be able to
- describe the management science approach to problem formulation and solution and explain its application to today’s business and industrial sectors.
- explain how various scientific and quantitative methodologies can be applied to a managerial decision-making process.
- describe a variety of management science models and procedures pertaining to the quantitative approaches to decision making.
- list several widely used, computer-aided management science techniques, and explain how managerial decision makers can apply and interpret these techniques.
- apply decision-problem modelling, interpret the results, and use the related mathematical approaches and solution algorithms.
Evaluation
To receive credit for MGSC 405, you must receive a grade of at least 50 percent on each examination and an overall course grade of at least D (50 percent). You are advised not to attempt the final examination until you have received feedback on both assignments. The weightings for each assignment and the examinations are as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 20% |
| Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Midterm Exam | 30% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Camm, J. D., Cochran, J. J., Fry, M. J., Ohlmann, J. W., Anderson, D. R., Sweeney, D. J., & Williams, T. A. (2023). An introduction to management science: Quantitative approaches to decision making (16th ed.). Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9780357715581
Other Resources
All other learning resources will be available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive creditfor the MGSC 405 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent)on the examination.
Online Exam
Challenge for credit course registration form