49001 Judgment and Decision Making
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
UTS: Engineering: Systems, Management and LeadershipCredit points: 6 cp
Subject level: Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Handbook description
This subject develops understanding of rational decision aids in light of modern descriptive theories of judgment, choice and decision in organisations. The methods of management science, decision analysis and judgment analysis are presented, and models of individual, group and strategic decision making are critically assessed.
Drawing on the insights of psychology, sociology and management science, this subject aims to inform you about the many facets of good judgment associated with decision making.
Subject objectives/outcomes
On completion of this subject you should understand:
- how management behaviour and the structure of organisations effects the way decisions are made and their nature;
- the particular difficulties engineers experience when faced with managerial decision making;
- how management science has contributed towards our understanding of rational, mathematical decision aids;
- the dichotomies of decision making in the presence of hazards;
- the psychology of judgment and the nature of individual decision making;
- the advantages and drawbacks of group decision making; how to manage individual and group decisions; and
- what is known about the sociology of strategic decisions.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is offered in a number of different modes. The learning objectives and content are the same for all modes. There are however some differences in emphasis and in assignment work as a result of specific constraints presented by the various modes.
The subject outline for the specific semester of study being undertaken must be read in conjunction with the subject Instructions.
The subject Instructions will be posted on UTSOnline. The Instructions provide additional information and advice on many facets of the subject content, its administration and the student’s obligations.
It is mandatory that students obtain, read and comply with the requirements of both the subject outline and subject Instructions.
Subject announcements will be made using UTSOnline. Students are expected to regularly check the announcements page for information.Assignments must be submitted electronically to ‘turnitin’ as well as hard copy as specifically detailed for each assessment component.
Content
The table below sets out the eight basic components of the subject and the appropriate chapters in the text. The Lectures & Reading Material is also divided into these eight sections.
- The Management Setting - 1, 2 & 3
- Decision Analysis - 4
- Multi-attribute Decisions - 5
- Engineering and Social Risk - 6
- Cognitive Processes - 7
- Individual Decisions - 8
- Group Decisions - 9
- Strategic Decisions - 10, 11 & 12
Assessment
Assessment Item 1: Abstract assignment
| Weighting: | 25% |
| Length: | Each abstract 300-330 words followed by a 150-165 word example |
Assessment Item 2: Group talk assignment (Face to face attendance mode students only)
| Weighting: | 25% |
Assessment Item 3: Lecture Reading Material Exercises (Distance mode students only)
| Weighting: | 25% |
| Length: | Maximum for total assignment [Parts (a) and (b)] 2500 words. |
Assessment Item 4: UTSOnline web-based tests
| Weighting: | 5% |
Assessment Item 5: Formal Examination
| Weighting: | 45% |
Minimum requirements
A pass in the subject is achieved by gaining a total of 50 marks and at least 40 per cent of the total marks available in the final examination.
Required texts
Parkin, J.V. (1996) Management Decisions for Engineers, Thomas Telford, London.
Other resources
The subject is supported by UTSOnline http://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/
Subject instructions posted on UTSonline.
"Turnitin" electronic assignment submission and plagarism detection system www.turnitin.com
Students enrolled in the subject can purchase, at cost, a copy of the subject Lecture & Reading Material (LRM) and the subject Lecture Support Notes (LSN) at the UTS Union Shop. Electronic versions of both can be downloaded from UTSOnline.
For further information see the faculty’s Student Guide at: http://my.feit.uts.edu.au/ modules/myfeit/downloads/ StudentGuide2011Spr_Online.pdf
