Students will experience 24 hours of computer based in-class practical sessions (2 hours per week).
There will be a further 12 hour of class contact (1 hour per week) with the whole group consisting some weeks of a lecture and other weeks of additional practical time. Independent study time will be spent completing the worksheets, further practising the methods met in class, and preparing for assessments.

This module will utilise some of the advanced spreadsheet functions and features available to aid modelling/analysis/decision making for quantity based problems. Those met will include amongst others: a range of functions to aid modelling, lookup functions for value selection, array formulae for criteria based analysis, customising worksheet interfaces, solver for problem optimisation, sensitivity analysis using scenarios and data tables, and pivot tables for cross tabulations.
Students will also be introduced to VBA macros together with some basic tools of programming enabling the automation of processes within a spreadsheet. Principles met will include: recording macros, editing macros, use of message boxes and input boxes to allow interaction with the user, if statements, for each and do loops, an introduction to forms, and the development of personalised functions.

A class test weighted at 100% consisting of two tests as detailed in the following:-
1. Lab Based Test 1 requiring the prior preparation (with the option to work in a small group) of a spreadsheet model for use in the test: One hour and 15 minutes weighted 50% (Learning Outcomes 1 and 2)
2. Lab Based Test 2 requiring the prior critical appraisal of the VBA model provided for use in the test: One hour and 15 minutes weighted 50% (Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4)

N/A

A basic knowledge of spreadsheets including experience of formulae formulation,charts and built-in functions such as SUM, AVERAGE.

For background reading:
Excel 2010 Bible, John Walkenbach, Wiley, May 2010, ISBN: 978-0470474877