QTM 7515: Reinforcement Learning and Sequential Decision Making in Practice
3 credits
This course is a practical hands-on introduction to analytical models for sequential decision making, which involves making a series of decisions over time with the goal of improving metrics of interest. Reinforcement Learning (RL) - a field of Artificial Intelligence (Al) that brought us Google DeepMind's AlphaGo and self-driving cars - is a focal area of the course. You will learn about classical RL concepts and techniques, such as bandit problems, Markov Decision Processes, dynamic programming, Monte Carlo methods, and temporal difference learning. However, the main overall objective of the course is to illustrate the interaction and use of numerous analytical techniques necessary to solve actual business problems from diverse areas like marketing, inventory management, supply chain management, healthcare operations, manufacturing, financial services, and humanitarian logistics. The course is set up as a guided journey through the lifecycle of several projects that the instructor has completed with actual organizations, increasing in complexity as the semester progresses. The open-source programming language Python and possibly other software tools will be utilized as needed during the course.
Note: This course is self contained. However, you will get more out of the course if you take it after taking at least one other modeling course at Babson (e.g., QTM7800, QTM7571/QTM6300, QTM9510, ECN7520/ECN6300/ECN63100). You do not need to have programming experience before taking the course.
(QTM 7800 for MBA students) or (QTM 6300 for MSBA students) Or (MSF Students)
- Program: Graduate
- Division: Mathematics Analytics Science and Technology
- Level: Graduate Elective (Grad)
- Course Number: QTM7515
- Number of Credits: 3
WRT2000 Research Writing
4 Foundation Liberal Arts redits
This course prompts students to put their theory of writing into practice through writing and composing in research-based genres for audiences in academic discourse communities. Students learn to recognize and adhere to the discursive and procedural conventions of particular communities of scholarly practice, and they examine and participate in modes of scholarly inquiry while learning about and engaging in best practices for finding, evaluating, and incorporating sources. Students produce scholarly arguments in essay form while exploring the roles that other textual forms can and do play in scholarship, and they continually reflect on how this work informs their theory and understanding of writing more generally.
Prerequisites: WRT1001
- Program: Undergraduate
- Division: Arts and Humanities
- Level: Foundation Liberal Arts (UGrad)
- Course Number: WRT2000
- Number of Credits: 4
FIN3511 Residential Real Estate
4 General Elective CreditsThis course is designed to introduce students to the residential real estate housing market in the U.S. and equip them with the knowledge to efficiently and effectively navigate that marketplace. Through a practical application of the course topics and examination of current industry examples, we will explore the process of buying, selling, financing and leasing residential real estate, with a focus on single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes and multi-family apartments of four units or less. We will examine the major issues and considerations that impact the valuation, financing, acquisition, disposition, and leasing of residential real estate.
Prerequisites: FME1001
- Program: Undergraduate
- Division: Finance
- Level: Advanced Elective (UGrad),Advanced Management (UGrad)
- Course Number: FIN3511
- Number of Credits: 4
FIN9510 Residential Real Estate: Acquisition, Disposition, Finance, and Leasing
1.5 Intensive Elective CreditsThe purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge to efficiently and effectively navigate the residential real estate marketplace in the United States. The course is designed to introduce students to the residential real estate housing market and appeal to real estate entrepreneurs and both domestic and international investors. We will explore the major issues and considerations that impact the valuation, financing, acquisition, disposition, and leasing of residential real estate. Course topics will include: market valuation and appraisal, real estate finance, including residential mortgage types, borrower financing decisions, and primary and secondary mortgage markets, applicable laws and regulations, property inspections, environmental issues, title insurance, brokering and closing the transaction, landlord and tenant issues, tax considerations, and default ownership issues. Throughout the course, we will emphasize practical application of the course topics and examine current examples from the industry and marketplace.
Prerequisites: None
- Program: Graduate
- Division: Finance
- Level: Graduate Elective (Grad)
- Course Number: FIN9510
- Number of Credits: 1.5
FIN9510 Residential Real Estate: Acquisition, Disposition, Finance, and Leasing
1.5 Intensive Elective CreditsThe purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge to efficiently and effectively navigate the residential real estate marketplace in the United States. The course is designed to introduce students to the residential real estate housing market and appeal to real estate entrepreneurs and both domestic and international investors. We will explore the major issues and considerations that impact the valuation, financing, acquisition, disposition, and leasing of residential real estate. Course topics will include: market valuation and appraisal, real estate finance, including residential mortgage types, borrower financing decisions, and primary and secondary mortgage markets, applicable laws and regulations, property inspections, environmental issues, title insurance, brokering and closing the transaction, landlord and tenant issues, tax considerations, and default ownership issues. Throughout the course, we will emphasize practical application of the course topics and examine current examples from the industry and marketplace.
Prerequisites: None
- Program: Graduate
- Division: Finance
- Level: Graduate Elective (Grad)
- Course Number: FIN9510
- Number of Credits: 1.5
ACC6110 Resource Planning and Control
(Formerly Managerial Accounting)
MSEL Course
1.5 CreditsThis course empowers students with the quantitative skills and logical analysis required to evaluate the financial feasibility of strategic opportunities such as entering new markets, pursuing new customers, or introducing new products or processes. Managerial Accounting methods are also used to construct profitable business models for new or existing ventures. Asking the simple questions "What is the business model?" and "How will this strategy create a return for the owners?" the course emphasizes that financial analysis should be performed ex ante to screen ideas so entrepreneurs and organizations can get maximum value from their resources. While cases in this course are primarily focused on profit-seeking entities, managerial accounting skills may be successfully applied to any venture with an imperative to accomplish challenging strategic goals while using resources efficiently.
- Program: Graduate
- Division: Accounting and Law
- Course Number: ACC6110
- Number of Credits: 1.5
MKT3540 Retailing Management
4 CreditsRetailers lie at the end of the supply chain. They interface with the ultimate consumer as well as with suppliers. Retailers make investments in real estate and solicit funds from the investment community. Importantly, most of the major retailers in the United States are involved in multichannel strategies that involve selling over the Internet. As a result, this course should appeal to students with varied interests: retailing management, suppliers to retailers (or any business selling inventory), entrepreneurs, retail services, real estate, IT e-commerce, and finance. The objective of the course is to familiarize students with all of the major decisions retailers make, e.g., developing strategies, buying, financing, locating stores. The course is designed around experiential learning exercises-We get out and do it!
Prerequisites: SME2011 or MKT2000
- Program: Undergraduate
- Division: Marketing
- Level: Advanced Elective (UGrad),Advanced Management (UGrad)
- Course Number: MKT3540
- Number of Credits: 4
MKT7540 Retailing Strategy
(Formerly Retailing Management)Retailing Management Retailers lie at the end of the supply chain. They interface with the ultimate consumer as well as with suppliers. Retailers make investments in real estate and solicit funds from the investment community. Importantly, most of the major retailers in the United States are involved in multichannel strategies that involve communicating with their customers over the Internet and through social media. As a result, this course should appeal to students with varied interests: retailing management, suppliers to retailers (or any business selling inventory), entrepreneurs, retail services, real estate, IT e-commerce, and finance. The objective of the course is to familiarize students with all of the major decisions retailers make, e.g., developing strategies, buying, financing, locating stores. The course is designed around experiential learning exercises and cases.
Prerequisites: MKT7200 or MKT7800 or equivalent core
- Program: Graduate
- Division: Marketing
- Level: Graduate Elective (Grad)
- Course Number: MKT7540
- Number of Credits: 3
FIN4507 Risk Management
4 Advanced Management Credits
Risk management has risen to a new pre-eminence with firms being exposed to an ever increasing range of risks. The reasons for this rise, and the techniques and instruments used by risk managers, are the subjects of this course. The course will first cover the concept of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and then analyze the key financial tools used in risk management, such as futures and options. Students will then use their knowledge to manage risk optimally and alter the risk/return characteristics of corporations. The course will apply these tools to risk management cases to cover a whole set of different sectors (airlines, automobiles, IT, etc.). The course will also go into some of the most pressing risks of our time, namely: climate change; diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I); and cybersecurity, as well as risks related to Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and executive compensation.
Prerequisites: SME2021
- Program: Undergraduate
- Division: Finance
- Level: Advanced Management (UGrad)
- Course Number: FIN4507
- Number of Credits: 4
FIN7504 Risk Management
(Formerly Managing Financial and Corporate Risk)
3 Elective Credits
Risk management has risen to a new pre-eminence with firms being exposed to an ever-increasing range of risks. The reasons for this rise, and the techniques and instruments used by risk managers, are the subjects of this course. The course will first cover the concept of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and then analyze the key financial tools used in risk management, such as futures and options. Students will then use their knowledge to manage risk optimally and alter the risk/return characteristics of corporations. The course will apply these tools to risk management cases to cover a whole set of different sectors (airlines, automobiles, IT, etc.). The course will also go into some of the most pressing risks of our time, namely: climate change; diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I); and cybersecurity, as well as risks related to Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and executive compensation.
Prerequisites: FIN7200 or FIN7800
- Program: Graduate
- Division: Finance
- Level: MSF Core (Grad),Graduate Elective (Grad)
- Course Number: FIN7504
- Number of Credits: 3