COMPUTER AND

PROBLEM SOLVING –
DISC 112
COURSE INTRODUCTION
INSTRUCTOR: MS. MAHIRA ILYAS
COURSE INTRODUCTION

• 100-level course
• Lecture component + Lab component
• Lectures will focus on theory building and exposure to key IS concepts
• Labs will focus on skill development in Excel and VBA
• Overarching objective: to improve your conversational vocabulary of
some fundamental concepts and give you a taste of practically doing
some of the things we talk about
COURSE DESCRIPTION
• Problem solving is an essential skill that managers use in their decision-making
processes. In view of the pervasive use of computers, the contemporary manager
must be aware of the tools and techniques that support problem-solving and
decision-making in the modern business environment
• This course aims at developing a basic understanding of
• a) the theory of information systems and the role of IS in managing information
• b) fundamentals of problem-solving techniques using spreadsheets with particular
emphasis on effectively presenting relevant information (such as through the
development of dashboards)
• c) elementary concepts of computer programming to better understand and
support the development of decision-support models
COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Develop a broad understanding of fundamental concepts of managing

information technology and computing in the modern business environment
• Introduce students to the concept of modeling for improved decision-making
with particular emphasis on developing:
• a systematic approach towards building, analyzing and interpreting results of
simple spreadsheet-based models
• effective data representation skills
• Introduce students to computer programming fundamentals
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Introduction to the process of ‘modeling’ - building, refining and analyzing the

representation of data for greater insights and improved decision-making
(using tools such as excel and VBA)
• •Introduction to Information Systems and how they can support the
information needs of decision makers at various levels within the modern
organization
• Introduction to the business value of implementing data resource
management processes and technologies in an organization
• Introduction to the challenges a business manager might face in managing the
development, implementation, and operations of information technology in
an organization
GRADING AND ASSESSMENTS

• Class Participation & Attendance – 10%

• Labs - 25% (individual/group)
• Quizzes – 30% (announced/unannounced)
• Final – 35% (lab-based comprehensive exam)
LAB ASSESSMENT – 25%

• Labs will be either be individual or group based.

• When group labs, members will receive the same marks unless one or
more group members fail to submit the lab in which case there may be a
20% (or more) deduction in the grade for that lab.
• Students will not be allowed to make-up a missed lab by sitting in
another lab.
• Week 1 lab will be a significantly shorter, a lab to ensure familiarity with
the basic Excel environment and LMS submission
• There will be no make-up labs or exams. A single grade will be awarded
for the course (lecture + lab)
HOW WE WILL COMMUNICATE

• With instructor via:

• Email
• Office hours
• Teaching assistants
• With Teaching Assistants (TAs):
• TBD – most likely whatsapp groups and email.
CLASS NORMS AND EXPECTATIONS

• You will be assigned fixed seats in the classroom

• Please bring in name plates with you for each session to be recognized
• You must be in class on time
• Marks for promptness (vs attendance) will be given to students who are in
their seats at the scheduled start time
• Those in place on the dot will get 1 mark while anyone showing up after
will receive .25 marks
• No one to leave the class for the first 40 minutes
CLASS NORMS AND EXPECTATIONS

• Professionalism, excellence in work and attitude is expected. ‘Be a

better version of yourself everyday’
• Cheating is NOT allowed
• It is unethical and unprofessional
• Names of students found cheating will be sent to DC without hesitation
• Also, think about what happens to the final grading when everyone ends
up scoring the same as a result of this activity?
ANY QUESTIONS?

Q&A