FZA3158 Business decision modelling
Faculty of Information Technology
FZA3158 Business decision modelling is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2021 in Semester 2 and Summer B at South Africa. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2021
- Semester 2, Summer B
- South Africa
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2022 entry.
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Requisites
Before FZA3158
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After FZA3158
No unit lists FZA3158 as a prerequisite in the 2021 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: One of (FIT1006, ETC1000, ETF1100, ETS1102 or STA1010) or completion of 24 points at Level 1 from FIT or BusEco
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
The objective of this unit is to introduce you to quantitative modelling techniques commonly used for business decision making. This includes the analytical methods used to understand, model and design business processes, and the application of IT tools to real-world decision making situations. Techniques covered include decision making under uncertainty, linear and nonlinear programming, sequential decision making, forecasting, and simulation.
On completion of this unit, you are expected to recognise a complex decision making situation and to build a corresponding quantitative model. You are also expected to solve the model by applying techniques covered in this unit, to interpret results and finally, to provide 'analyst-type' recommendations. The unit includes extensive use of advanced modelling tools available in Microsoft Excel as well as some VBA programming. You will also gain hands-on experience in using simulation software as a tool for analysing business processes.
Offerings in 2021
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester - South Africa | South Africa | On campus |
| Summer semester B | South Africa | On campus |
Assessment
- Assignment 1AssignmentThreshold hurdle20%
- In-semester TestOtherThreshold hurdle10%
- Tutorial ParticipationParticipationThreshold hurdle10%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)ExamThreshold hurdle60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Develop interactive decision models for business analysis and business process improvements;
- 2
Design and implement and analyse spreadsheet-based simulations and mathematical optimisation models;
- 3
Interpret the results of mathematical decision models and conduct sensitivity analyses;
- 4
Critically assess the accuracy and applicability of modelling techniques;
- 5
Communicate the results of model-based decision analysis.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures24 hours
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning and online engagement.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Stella Ouma
- Unit Coordinators
- Mr Dave Evans
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FZA3158?
FZA3158 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is FZA3158 offered?
In 2021, FZA3158 runs in Semester 2 and Summer B at South Africa.
How much work is FZA3158?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does FZA3158 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.