Newsletter of
the Washington College Department of Business Management | Spring
2001
New
business courses emphasize quantitative and computer skills
For the 2000-01 school year the Business Management Department has added
two new course sequences to sharpen business students' quantitative and
computing skills. The new courses, Quantitative Methods I & II (Bus 215
and 216), and Management Information Systems I and II (Bus 491 and 492),
are a recognition of the increasing demand for technological expertise
in the department's graduates. Noting that these courses are being taught
within the department, chair Terry Scout says, "The idea was to use
technology as much as possible and give students the ability to apply
it to real business situations and problem-solving."
The new courses are taught in the Daly Hall computer lab, which last year
was equipped with PCs (most of Washington College's other computing resources
are Mac-based). This gives students hands-on experience with the same
hardware and software widely used in the business world.
The Business Quantitative Methods sequence (Bus 215 and 216) is a two-semester
sequence in data analysis, modeling and decision-making. The sequence
is taught by Professor Martin Suydam, who teaches classes for both the
mathematics and business departments. Quantitative Methods applies a combination
of statistics, calculus and finite math to practical business situations.
Business students may take this new course sequence in place of both Data
Analysis I & II or Calculus and Statistics, which are not by their nature
tailored to business students. The Bus 215-216 sequence also fulfills
general distribution requirements for quantitative study.
The MIS sequence is being taught by Professor Richard Carmichael. The
course focuses on the use of information systems—including hardware,
software and the Internet‹to increase the efficiency and effectiveness
of organizations. The course studies how top firms like GM, GE, and Wal-Mart
use MIS to add value to their operations. A major course theme is the
rapid development of e-commerce and Internet applications for any company.
Business is a rapidly changing field. The new Quantitative Methods and
MIS courses continue the business management department's commitment to
giving students a balanced, sound and up-to-date business education. At
Washington College, that means an education that draws on both the enduring
values of a liberal arts education—communicative excellence, curiosity
and critical thinking—and the cutting edge of high-tech—technological
proficiency, computer savvy and quantitative problem-solving skills.