Management Science, also known as Business Analytics, provides decision makers with the tools to make informed and structured decisions, and to build more efficient systems based on state-of-the-art analytical techniques. This course provides an overview of the modeling techniques used to analyze complex systems to help make better decisions. Materials include spreadsheet add-ins and case studies for implementing these techniques with an emphasis on interactive modeling. Topics will include linear and integer programming, network models, decision making under uncertainty, game theory, queueing models, forecasting techniques and simulation modeling. After successfully completing this course, students should be able to analyze a business problem, identify the key components required in the decision making process, and apply the appropriate quantitative technique to reach an optimum solution.

Course Instructor

This course will be taught by Aysegul Topcu who joined Structured Decisions Corporation after receiving her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University in 2009. As a senior operations researcher, Aysegul uses operations research methods to develop mathematical models for complex logistical operations in service industries. Aysegul was an early contributor to MIT BLOSSOMS, an acronym for Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies, offering interactive learning video modules for high school math and science classes. Her video module is called “Optimizing Your Diet: What Linear Programming Can Tell You!” where she teaches about linear programming based on the famous Stigler’s diet problem. Aysegul holds her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.