Syllabus for APS-610
COST ESTIMATION AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR ENGINEERS AND TECHNOLOGISTS
Decisions on large and small programs, whether in government or industry, always have a financial component and financial impacts. This course will provide students with an understanding of the financial aspects of decision making. The focus will be on the application of cost estimates and cost benefit analyses to program and financial management, budget preparation and justification, the understanding and use of financial statements, and program control. In addition, the course will help participants to become informed consumers of cost estimates and cost benefit analyses. Being informed includes evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the cost benefit analysis approach as well as the role of risk and uncertainty, comprehending sensitivity analysis, and knowing the right questions to ask when you are the recipient of a cost benefit analysis.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
CO1 Analyze the processes and structures of organizational governance and management.
CO2 Interpret basic financial statements that are used for decision making in organizations for investments or evaluating the financial strength of an organization.
CO3 Examine and apply common techniques and tools for project cost estimation and analysis.
CO4 Recommend tools and skills for effective financial and trade-off analysis of engineering and technology projects.
CO5 Develop skills for comparing and evaluating projects and alternatives using economic figures of merit.
CO6 Perform the basic elements of project cost control and variance analysis.
You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.
ISBN-13: 978-1118536131
Cost Estimation and Financial Management for Engineers and Technologists is a three-credit, online course consisting of five modules. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.
For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, take a proctored midterm examination, and complete a final project. See below for details.
Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.
In addition to an ungraded Introductions Forum, you are required to participate in three graded online class discussions.
Communication with your mentor and among fellow students is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online class discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a discussion question and at least two subsequent comments on classmates' responses.
All of these responses must be substantial. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate or your mentor, state and support your position.
You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation, including your use of relevant course information to support your point of view, and your awareness of and responses to the postings of your classmates. Remember, these are discussions: responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, mature, and respectful.
You are required to complete five written assignments.The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.
For Written Assignments 4 and 5, you will be working with a partner and using the Edison Live! platform for your cooperative work. Although you will work together on the problems, each of you should submit your identical solutions within the appropriate assignment link.
You are required to complete six integrated assignments that make up your final project. You will also work with your partner and use the Edison Live! platform for this work. As with Written Assignments 4 and 5, you will work together with your partner to find a solution, but each of you should submit your identical solutions within the assignment link.
Project Assignment 3 consists of a white paper that summarizes and presents your results.
Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:
All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:
A | = | 93–100 | B | = | 83–87 | |
A– | = | 90–92 | C | = | 73–82 | |
B+ | = | 88–89 | F | = | Below 73 |
To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., assignments, discussion postings, projects). Graduate students must maintain a B average overall to remain in good academic standing.
To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:
Consider the following study tips for success:
To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.
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