Lahore University of Management Sciences
DISC 112 – Computer and Problem Solving
Fall 2023-24
Instructors Mr. Humbal Tariq
Room No. TBD
Office Hours Mon & Wed 10:50 am – 12 noon
Email TBD
Telephone TBD
Secretary/TA TBD
Email TBD
TA Office Hours TBD
Course URL (if any) Suraj.lums.edu.pk
COURSE TEACHING METHODOLOGY
• Teaching Methodology: synchronous and asynchronous, a blend of both
• Lecture details: 5% recorded and 95% live interactive lectures (depending on circumstances may be adjusted)
COURSE BASICS
Credit Hours 4
Lecture(s) 2 Duration 75 minutes
Recitation/Lab (per week) 1 Duration 3 hours
Tutorial (per week) On need basis Duration On need basis
COURSE DISTRIBUTION
Core Yes
Elective -
Open for Student Category Freshmen
Close for Student Category -
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), and c) elementary concepts of computer programming to better understand and support the
development of decision-support models.
COURSE PREREQUISITE (S)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Lahore University of Management Sciences
1. Develop a broad understanding of fundamental concepts of managing information technology and computing in the
modern business environment which include
a. Information systems to support the information and decision-making requirements of managers at all levels
within the organization
b. Types of information systems commonly used in organizations such as functional and cross-functional systems
c. Networked or “connected” systems and the challenges and opportunities they present across different types of
organizations
d. Data resource management systems and their importance particularly in the context of the large volumes of data
that organizations have to manage in today’s environment
2. Introduce students to the concept of modeling for improved decision-making with particular emphasis on developing
a. a systematic approach towards building, analyzing, and interpreting results of simple spreadsheet-based models
b. effective data representation skills
3. Introduce students to computer programming fundamentals
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. To introduce students to the concept of ‘modeling’ as the process of building, refining, and analyzing the representation
of data for greater insights and improved decision-making
2. To equip students with technical skills of working with the spreadsheet software, Excel
3. To develop skills that enable effective data representation
4. To introduce students to databases and explain how data can be extracted from these into decision models
5. To introduce students to how Information Systems can support the information needs of decision makers at various
levels within the modern organization
6. To introduces students to the various challenges that a business manager might face in managing the development,
implementation, and operations of information technology in an organization
7. To introduces students to the business value of implementing data resource management processes and technologies in
an organization
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS & OBJECTIVES
General Learning Goals & Objectives
• Goal 1 –Effective Written and Oral Communication
Objective: Students will demonstrate effective writing and oral communication skills
• Goal 2 –Ethical Understanding and Reasoning
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to identify and address ethical issues in an organizational context.
• Goal 3 – Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to identify key problems and generate viable solutions.
• Goal 4 – Application of Information Technology
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to use current technologies in business and management context.
• Goal 5 – Teamwork in Diverse and Multicultural Environments
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they are able to work effectively in diverse environments.
• Goal 6 – Understanding Organizational Ecosystems
Objective: Students will demonstrate that they understand Economic, Political, Regulatory, Legal, Technological, and Social
environment of organizations.
Major Specific Learning Goals & Objectives
• Goal 7 (a) – Discipline Specific Knowledge and Understanding
Objective: Students will demonstrate knowledge of key business disciplines and how they interact including application to real
world situations (including subject knowledge).
• Goal 7 (b) – Understanding the “science” behind the decision-making process (for MGS Majors)
Objective: Students will demonstrate ability to analyze a business problem, design and apply appropriate decision-support tools,
interpret results and make meaningful recommendations to support the decision-maker
Lahore University of Management Sciences
MAPPING OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES
PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS AND COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES COURSE ASSESSMENT ITEM
OBJECTIVES
Goal 1 - Effective Written and Oral Objective 3 (partially) Labs and Quizzes
Communication
Goal 2 - Ethical Understanding and
Reasoning
Goal 3 - Analytical Thinking and Objectives 1 and 2 Labs, Quizzes and Final Exam
Problem-Solving Skills
Goal 4 - Application of Information Objectives 5 - 7 Labs and Quizzes
Technology
Goal 5 - Teamwork in Diverse and
Multicultural Environments
Goal 6 - Understanding Organizational
Ecosystems
Goal 7 (a) - Discipline Specific Objectives 1-4 Labs, Quizzes and Final Exam
Knowledge and Understanding
(Subject Knowledge)
Goal 7 (b) - Understanding the
“science” behind the decision-making
process
GRADING BREAKUP AND POLICY
• Lab Assignment(s): 25% (can be group or individual), N-2 policy will be applied
• Attendance and CP: 10%
• Quizzes: 10% (can be announced or unannounced)
• Midterm 20%
• Final Examination: 35% (Lab-based)
This will be a lab-based comprehensive exam. The exam will have to be completed individually.
There will be no make-up labs or exams. A single grade will be awarded for the course (lecture + lab)
EXAMINATION DETAIL
Yes/No: Yes
Combine Separate: Theory / Lab
Quizzes Duration: TBD
Preferred Date: TBD
Exam Specifications: TBD
Yes/No: Yes
Combine Separate: Lab
Final Exam Duration: min 2 hours
Exam Specifications: TBD
Lahore University of Management Sciences
COURSE OVERVIEW
Lec. Recommended Objectives/
Wk. Topics
# Readings Application
Module 1: Information Systems
Introduce format of the course
1 Course Introduction Operational aspects (LMS and Zambeel)
1 What is IT for business?
Laudon and Laudon
2 How do modern organizations compete with IT?
Information Systems in Chapter 1 section 1.1, 1.2
Understanding the fit between business and IT
Global Businesses Laudon and Laudon strategy
3
Chapter 3 section 3.1, 3.2, 3.4
2
Laudon and Laudon Chapter 5 What are different types of computer software and
4 IT Infrastructure
section 5.2, 5.3 hardware platforms?
5 Cloud Services To be shared in class/LMS
3
6 What is an Information System?
What are business processes? How are they
Laudon and Laudon related to information systems?
7 Chapter 2 Understand information needs at various levels
within the organization and the different kinds of
4
Enterprise Business Systems decisions they facilitate?
Laudon and Laudon Understand different types of information systems
(from functional to cross-functional and enterprise
Chapter 9
8 information systems)
How do enterprise systems help businesses
Quiz 1 (tentative) achieve operational excellence?
9 Familiarize students to the fundamental concepts
Laudon and Laudon
5 E-Commerce involved in e-commerce, m-commerce, and related
10 Chapter 10 payment systems.
11 Familiarize students with the fundamentals of the
Information Systems Laudon and Laudon software development lifecycle (SDLC)
6
12 Development Chapter 13 Introduce the concept of waterfall vs. agile
development
13 Laudon and Laudon Introduce students to the fundamentals of data
7 Data Resource Management management in organizations
14 Chapter 6
15 Digital Products To be shared in class/LMS
8 Problem Solving by Computer Introduce students to problem solving and model
16 Fairhurst - Chapter 1 & 2
Modeling building
Module 2: Introduction to Modeling
17 Midterm
9 Introduction to Influence
18 Powell & Baker Chapter 2 Introduce students to influence diagrams
Diagrams
Curtis Frye: Chapter 8 Introduce students to the broad concept of What-If
analysis as part of building models and
19 What-If Analysis interpreting outcomes to support decision-making
Quiz 2 (tentative) process
10
Module 3: Introduction to Computer Programming
Introduce students to the importance of
Introduction to Programming
20 Handouts understanding basic concepts in computer
using VBA programming using Macros
Introduce the concept of storing information in
21 Variables and Calculations Handouts
memory and performing calculations
11
22 Conditional statements Handouts Revisit conditional statements (If-Then-Else)
23 Introduce students to the concept and use of
12 Handouts
24 Loops repeating statements using loop commands
25
13 Handouts Introduce students to good programming practices
26 Procedures
using procedures and functions
27 Functions Handouts
14
28 VBA and Revision Handouts TBD
FINAL EXAM
Lahore University of Management Sciences
COURSE OVERVIEW – LAB SCHEDULE
RECOMMENDED
LABS TOPICS SESSION OBJECTIVE(S)
READINGS
Course Introduction, File Management,
Curtis Frye: Chapter 1 & 2
1 Assignment submission @ LUMS, Basic Introduce students to model building
framework of model building
2 Introduction to Spreadsheets: Cells, Ranges,
Curtis Frye: Chapter 1 & 2, Familiarize students with the basic
Worksheets & Workbooks, Formatting and
Curtis Frye: Chapter 3 & 4 spreadsheet modeling environment
3 Entering Data, Performing Calculations of Data
Advance Excel Functions (logical, statistical and Develop MS Excel skills
4
lookup functions) such as limiting data, manipulating
Filtering Specific Data, Sorting Data, Validating Curtis Frye: Chapter 5, 6, 10 worksheet data, sorting worksheet data,
5
Data organizing data into levels and creating
6 Creating Charts and Tables charts
Develop students’ ability to pull data into
7 Combining data from multiple sources Curtis Frye: Chapter 7 their spreadsheet model from text files, other
databases and/or the web
8 Influence Diagram Powell & Baker Chapter 2 Practice development of influence diagrams
What-if Analysis Understand the use of Excel’s What-if
9 Curtis Frye: Chapter 8 Analysis options (Goal Seek, Data Table and
Scenario Manager)
Develop sufficient understanding of
10 VBA Programming, Defining Variables VBA Guide programming with VBA that students can
develop a simple dashboard
11 Conditional Statements VBA Guide
12 Loops VBA Guide
13 Procedures and Functions VBA Guide
14 VBA & Revision VBA Guide
TEXTBOOK (S )/SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS
Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (2021), 17th edition by Kenneth C. Laudon, Jane P. Laudon
Frye, Curtis D. (2013) Step-by-Step: Microsoft Excel 2013, Microsoft Press.
Powell, S. G. and Baker, K. R. (2013) Management Science: the Art of Modeling with Spreadsheets, 3/e, Wiley.
Fairhurst, D.S. (2015) Using Excel for business analysis a guide to financial modeling fundamentals. Wiley.
