Semester 1: Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling
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Introduction to models
11 topics
• Edcent survey
• Course Introduction
• Definition and Uses of Models, Common Functions
• How Models Are Used in Practice
• Key Steps in the Modeling Process
• A Vocabulary for Modeling
• Breakout Exercise: Meet and engage other students
• Mathematical Functions
• Summary
• Quiz: Introduction to Models
• Reading: PDF of Lecture Slides
Linear models and optimization
8 topics
• Introduction to Linear Models and Optimization
• Growth in Discrete Time
• Constant Proportionate Growth
• Optimization
• Discussion forum
• Summary
• Quiz: Linear Models and Optimization
• Reading: PDF of Lecture Slides
Probabilistic models
15 topics
• Introduction to Probabilistic Models
• Examples of Probabilistic Models
• Regression Models
• Probability Trees
• Monte Carlo Simulations
• Markov Chain Models
• Building Blocks of Probability Models
• Discussion prompt: Share your thoughts
• The Bernoulli Distribution
• The Binomial Distribution
• The Normal Distribution
• The Empirical Rule
• Summary
• Quiz: Probabilistic Models
• Reading: PDF of Lecture Slides
Regression models
10 topics
• Introduction to Regression Model
• Use of Regression Models
• Interpretation of Regression Coefficients
• R-squared and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE)
• Breakout Exercise: Meet and engage other students
• Fitting Curves to Data
• Multiple Regression
• Logistic Regression
• Summary of Regression Models
• Quiz: Regression Models
Semester 2: Introduction to Spreadsheets and Models
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Spreadsheet: A tool for thinking with number
11 topics
• Edcent survey
• Objectives and a Little Spreadsheet History
• Navigating a spreadsheet and crafting formulas
• Using functions
• Using conditional expressions in formulas
• Common errors in spreadsheets
• Differences between Sheets and Excel
• Quiz: History, Formulas, Functions and Errors
• Discussion prompt: Share your thoughts
• Course resources: PDF of Module 1 Lecture Slides
• Course Resources: Module 1 examples
Spreadsheet to model
10 topics
• Module Introduction
• Using assumptions and decision variables in spread
• Structuring a spreadsheet to model variables
• Breakout Exercise: Meet and engage other students
• Constructing simple cashflow model
• What-if analysis and sensitivity analysis
• Limits to simple, deterministic models
• Quiz: Classic Models
• Course resources: PDF of Module 2 Lecture Slides
• Course resources: Module 2 examples
Addressing uncertainty and probability in models
11 steps
• Introduction
• Random variables and probability distributions
• Changes in discrete and continuous time
• Discussion forum
• Power, exponential, and log functions
• Probability trees and decision trees
• Correlation and Regression
• Quiz: Probability, Correlation, and Regression
• Course resources: PDF of Module 3 Lecture Slides
• Course resources: Module 3 examples
• Reading: on exponential and other functions
Simulation and optimization
9 steps
• Introduction
• Monte Carlo Simulations
• Breakout Exercise: Meet and engage other students
• Linear Programming
• Next Steps, Differences between Excel and Sheets
• Quiz: Simulations, Scenarios, and Optimization
• Course resources: PDF of Module 4 Lecture Slides
• Course resources: Module 4 examples
• Course resources: Links and other resources
Semester 3: Modeling Risk and Realities
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Modelling decisions in low uncertainty settings
8 topics
• Course Introduction
• Edcent survey
• How To Build an Optimization Model: Hudson Readers
• Optimizing with Solver, and Alternative Data Input
• Adding Risk: Managing Investments at Epsilon Delta
• Course resources: PDFs of Slides for Week 1
• Course resources: Excel Files for Week 1
• Quiz: Modeling in Low Uncertainty
Risk and rewards: Modelling high uncertainty sets
6 topics
• High Uncertainty Settings, Probability Distributio
• Common Scenarios for Multiple Random Variables
• Using Scenarios for Optimizing Under High Uncert..
• Breakout Exercise: Meet and engage other students
• Course resources: PDFs of Lecture Slide for Week 2
• Course resources: Excel Files for Week 2
Choosing distribution that fits your data
8 topics
• Data and Visualization: Graphical Representation
• Choosing Among Distributions: Part 1
• Choosing Among Distributions: Part 2
• Discussion prompt: Share your thoughts
• Hypothesis Testing and Goodness of Fit
• Course resources: PDFs of Lecture Slide for Week 1
• Course resources: Excel Files for Week 3
• Quiz: Choosing Fitting Distributions
Balancing risk and reward using simulation
8 topics
• Modeling Uncertainty: From Scenarios to Continuous
• Connecting Random Inputs and Random Outputs
• Breakout Exercise: Meet and engage other students
• Analyzing and Interpreting Simulation Output
• Course Conclusion
• Course resources: PDFs of Lecture Slides
• Course resources: Excel files for Week 4
• Quiz: Using Simulations