Business Analytics:
A Quick Review of Algebra, Statistics, Calculus, and an Introduction to Time Value of Money
Professor:
Dr. Richard L. Constand, rconstand@uwf.edu
Office Phone: (850) 857-6290 but if you contact me via e-mail, response time will be much shorter.
Syllabus: Available in Word Format here.
Pre-Class Exam:
Note there is no pre-class test given in this class. A short quiz will be given in class on the morning of the second Saturday meeting.
Module Description:
This module reviews some basic analytical skills that MBA students will need in future courses. The review topics include basic algebra, statistics, and calculus. The course is designed for students who have been exposed to these general topics in the past (at the undergraduate or high school level) but still need a quick refresher course before starting their MBA coursework. An introduction to time value of money calculations used in financial decision making is also presented. The module is designed for use by non-financial managers in all business disciplines.
Objectives:
The general objective of this module is to prepare participants for success in the MBA program by insuring they have the necessary analytical skills to perform graduate level work. Specific objectives associated with of the major topics are presented in the various topic discussions.
Required Study Materials:
Required Textbook:
Fundamentals of Financial Management, 11th edition, Eugene F. Brigham and Joel F. Houston, 2006, Thompson-Southwestern Publishers.
Two chapters of this text will be used in this module to reinforce the topics and provide applied examples of the skills learned.
Portions of Chapter 8 (Risk) will be used to illustrate various statistical calculations.
Chapter 2 (Time Value of Money) will be used as the main source of content for this Time Value of Money topic.
Required Online Readings:
Algebra, statistics, and calculus review materials are located online. Links to specific web pages are provided later.
Required Financial Calculator:
The Texas Instruments BA II Plus (Advanced Business Analyst) calculator is required. This calculator should be all you need for your entire MBA course of study. You will be using it again in the FM-3 accelerated finance module and in your core finance class.
Pre-class Assignments:
The module is broken down into four general topic areas.
The algebra review is provided as background material for the time value of money calculations and the calculus topics and is only covered on the first class meeting if student have specific questions.
On the first Saturday meeting the calculus and statistics topics will be covered. Students are expected to have covered the assigned online readings on those topics before class meets.
On the second Saturday the entire day is devoted to the Time Value of Money topic.
The links below will take you to required text readings and additional online course materials for each topic. A new window will open for each topic. Just close the window to return to this page.
It is expected that students will complete all assignments before the scheduled class meetings.
First Saturday
Topic 1: Algebra Review
Topic 2: Statistics Review
Topic 3: Calculus Review
Second Saturday
Topic 4: Time Value of Money