Syllabi
Qualifications:
First-level modules (NQF level 5)
FOR BSc degree
| DSC1510 |
Introduction to the business world (semester module) |
| Purpose: |
introduce the learner to basic business concepts in management and accounting and familiarise them with the mathematical modelling and solving of elementary quantitative problems in a business environment. |
| DSC1630 |
Introductory financial mathematics (semester module) |
| Purpose: |
to enable the learner to derive and apply the fundamental formulae of financial mathematics. |
FOR BCOM degrees
| DSC1520 |
Quantitative modelling I (semester module) |
| Purpose: |
to introduce the learner to basic mathematical modelling and computational skills for application in the business world. |
| DSC1620 |
Mathematical modelling I (semester module) |
| Purpose: |
to equip the learner with the mathematical skills necessary for other modules. The focus is on key aspects of pre-calculus, calculus and linear algebra. |
| DSC1630 |
Introductory financial mathematics (semester module) |
| Purpose: |
to enable the learner to derive and apply the fundamental formulae of financial mathematics. |
FOR OTHER BCOM degrees where recommended
| QMI1500 |
Elementary quantitative methods (semester module) |
| Purpose: |
to introduce the learner to elementary mathematical modelling, financial mathematics, elementary descriptive statistics and index numbers. |
Second-level modules (NQF level 6) for BSc and BCom
| DSC2601 |
Mathematical programming (semester module) only for BSc specialisation degrees |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to enable the learner to model and solve optimisation problems with techniques of differential calculus, linear and nonlinear programming. |
| OMT2601 |
Operations management techniques II (Year course) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to introduce the learner to basic statistics and to familiarise the student with decision analysis, linear programming models, transportation and assignment models, networks and project management. |
| DSC2602 |
Rational decision-making (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
|
| Advice: |
it is recommended that STA1501 and STA1502 be taken before or together with this module. |
| Purpose: |
to introduce the learner to basic statistical concepts and to familiarise the student with the use of selected techniques from operations research, including decision analysis, project management, network modelling. |
| DSC2604 |
Financial modelling (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to introduce the learner to the essential approaches and concepts of financial management, analysis and decision-making. |
| DSC2605 |
Linear Mathematical programming (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to enable the learner to model and solve optimisation problems with techniques of numerical algebra and linear programming. |
| DSC2606 |
Nonlinear Mathematical programming (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
|
| Purpose: |
to enable the learner to model and solve optimisation problems with techniques of differential calculus and nonlinear programming. |
| DSC2607 |
Production modelling (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to introduce the learner to a mathematical approach to operations management in a production environment. |
Third-level modules (NQF level 7) for BSc and BCom
| OMT3701 |
Operations management techniques III (Year course) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to familiarise the learner with the use of selected techniques from operations research, including quality control, simulation, linear and nonlinear programming. |
| DSC3702 |
Optimisation of resources (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to equip the learner with the skills to formulate, solve and analyse the results of linear, goal and integer programming models. |
| DSC3703 |
Simulation (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Co-requisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to provide the learner with a theoretical basis for structuring and solving simulation models in practice. |
| DSC3704 |
Models for strategic decision-making (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to introduce the learner to the theory and practice of multi-criteria decision-making. |
| DSC3705 |
Financial risk modelling (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to introduce the learner to principles and methodologies for the treatment of uncertainty and risk in financial modelling. |
| DSC3706 |
Selected topics in Operations Research (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to familiarise the learner with the philosophy of Operations Research and some aspects of heuristics, game theory and forecasting. |
| DSC3707 |
Mathematical modelling II (semester module) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to introduce the learner to a wide-ranging overview of elementary mathematical modelling in the economic and financial environments. |
Fourth-level module (NQF level 8)
| OMT4801: |
Operations management techniques IV (Year course) |
| Prerequisite: |
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| Purpose: |
to familiarise the student with the application of selected operations research techniques to real life problems. |
Honours level (NQF level 8)
The curriculum for the Honours BCom in Financial Modelling; Honours BCom in Operations Research; Honours BSc in Financial Modelling and Honours BSc in Operations Research will change in 2014 to comply with the HEQF requirements for post graduate qualifications.
| HONASMB: |
Applied stochastic modelling |
| Co-requisite: |
HONSM1A |
| Purpose: |
to familiarise students with the applications of stochastic theory in practical situations. |
| HONDANE: |
Decision analysis |
| Purpose: |
to familiarise students with modelling techniques for solving decision problems in practice. |
| HONFIN6: |
Financial mathematics |
| Purpose: |
to enable students to do advanced interest rate calculations; specifically annuity and yield calculations (including the effects of capital gains tax). |
| HONFORP: |
Forecasting |
| Purpose: |
to familiarise students with forecasting techniques that enable them to fit the most appropriate forecasting model to a given data set. |
| HONLINR: |
Linear programming |
| Purpose: |
to familiarise students with the simplex method and related topics and enable them to solve concrete linear programming problems. |
| HONMD1Y: |
Introduction to the mathematical modelling of derivatives I |
| Co_requisite: |
HONMD23 |
| Purpose: |
to introduce students to the derivative investment environment; including the mathematical models used in pricing the instruments and the use of the instruments to increase profits and reduce risk. |
| HONMD23: |
Introduction to the mathematical modelling of derivatives II |
| Co-requisite: |
HONSM1A, HONMD1Y |
| Purpose: |
to develop in students the ability to derive and determine the movement of asset prices (and the prices of derived instruments based on them) by using certain stochastic processes, including the Wiener and Poisson processes. |
| HONNNSH: |
Neural networks |
| Purpose: |
to familiarise students with the theoretical background and various models of artificial neural networks. |
| HONOPTR: |
Optimisation |
| Purpose: |
to introduce students to combinatorial optimisation and the study of efficient algorithms as applied to networks and other discrete problems. |
| HONPR1B: |
Project I |
| Purpose: |
to introduce students to research and technical writing skills. |
| HONPR2C: |
Project II |
| Prerequisite: |
HONPR1B. |
| Purpose: |
to introduce students to the application of Operations Research techniques to real-life problems. |
| HONSIMG: |
Simulation |
| Purpose: |
to familiarise students with the modelling and operational analysis of industrial processes through simulation. |
| HONSM1A: |
Stochastic modelling I |
| Co-requisite: |
HONASMB. |
| Purpose: |
to familiarise students with stochastic processes and their applications in discrete Markov chains and queuing theory. |
| HONCS1Y: |
Discrete financial modelling |
| Purpose: |
to introduce the student to the financial theory of security markets through discrete time models. |
Practical Work
Quantitative management is a practical subject which requires that students attain certain computer skills. A calculator is required for the modules QMI1500, DSC1510, DSC1520 and DSC1630. For all other modules access to a personal computer with spreadsheet software is a prerequisite. Access to a printer is also required. Students must be able to do basic spreadsheet calculations. Admission to second and third-level module is restricted to students who have access to a micro-computer. Knowledge of a programming language like TURBO Pascal or Delphi is required for DSC3703.
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