Courses NonDegree Display 2020-2021

Course Description To PDF
Course title Decision Support Systems and Business Modelling
Course code EBC2088
ECTS credits 6,5
Assessment Whole/Half Grades
Period
Period Start End Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
5 12-4-2021 28-5-2021 X X
Level Intermediate
Coordinator Andre Berger
For more information: a.berger@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Language of instruction English
Goals
Understanding the role and operation of decision support systems. Independent development of a decision support system.
Master programming in Excel and the design of user interfaces in VBA for Excel.
Description
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHOD(S) USED IN THIS COURSE IS WITH RESERVATION. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS BASED ON THE COURSE SETUP PRIOR TO THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE CRISIS, COURSE COORDINATORS MAY BE FORCED TO CHANGE THE TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS USED. THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEACHING/ASSESSMENT METHOD(S) WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE COURSE SYLLABUS. Decision support systems are computer-based systems for management decision makers who deal with semi-structured decision problems.
A DSS is closely related to a MIS, a management information system. Where a MIS helps decision makers utilize data and models to solve
structured problems, a DSS aims to give the same support, in case the problem is less structured (less routine). In this course, we will
focus on the separate techniques that form the building blocks of a DSS: databases, spreadsheet models, recommendation model, and the user
interface. Developing a business model as a decision aid for a self-designed choice problem is the major assignment of the course.
We will use Excel and VBA as a tool to program our own DSS. Writing a management report describing the DSS and its possible implementation
is the second practical assignment. Together, those two assignments compose the project done by small project groups of 2 students.
Literature
The course is built around a reader that will be distributed before the course. Secondary literature references about decision support systems in general
will be provided in the reader.
Prerequisites
Basic mastery of Excel, or an alternative spreadsheet application: cell referencing, building formulas, use of logical functions.
This does not include mastery of VBA for Excel: training in VBA programming is part of the course.

An advanced level of English.
Teaching methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) PBL / Presentation / Lecture / Assignment / Groupwork
Assessment methods (indicative; course manual is definitive) Final Paper / Oral Exam
Evaluation in previous academic year For the complete evaluation of this course please click "here"
This course belongs to the following programmes / specialisations
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - Economics Year 3 Quantitative Economics Elective(s)
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - Emerging Markets Year 3 Elective Course(s)
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - Economics and Management of Information Year 2+3 Quantitative Economics Elective(s)
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Accounting
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Finance
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Inf Mgmt
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Marketing
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Org
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj SCM
Bachelor Economics and Business Economics - International Business Economics Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Strategy
Bachelor International Business - Emerging Markets Year 3 Elective Course(s)
Bachelor International Business Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Accounting
Bachelor International Business Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Finance
Bachelor International Business Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Inf Mgmt
Bachelor International Business Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Marketing
Bachelor International Business Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Org
Bachelor International Business Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj SCM
Bachelor International Business Year 3 QE Elec(s) - Maj Strategy
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