IHE 742: Understanding and Aiding Human Decision Making

Course Description:

The primary objective of this course is to introduce the student to the methods, concepts, theories and practice of decision analysis and its role in providing decision-making assistance to human decision makers.

Prerequisite: 

Graduate standing; knowledge of probability would be useful

Objectives:

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Comprehend the importance of systematic approaches to complex decision making
• Understand the components of decision problems and be able to structure decision problems
• Apply appropriate decision analysis concepts and tools to analyze decision problems

Handouts:

• Pre-Course Questionnaire
• Syllabus
• Introduction (Jan. 4)
• Non-Probability Decision Rules (Jan. 9)
• Elements of Decision Problems (Jan. 9)
• Structuring Decisions (Jan. 11, 18)
• Making Choices (Jan. 18, 23)
• Sensitivity Analysis (Jan. 23)
• Probability Basics (Jan. 25, 30)
• Subjective Probability (Feb. 8)
• Theoretical Probability Models (Feb 15, 20)
• Value of Information (Feb 20)
• Risk Attitude and Utility Models (Feb 22)
• Multiattribute Utility Theory I (Feb 22)
• Multiattribute Utility Theory II (Feb 27)

Past Projects:

The following are samples of good projects done by students in previous quarters

• Project One
• Project Two

Homework (All homework assignments should be submitted to ihe742@gmail.com)

• Homework 1 (Due: Jan 11 for in-class students, Jan 16 for distance students)
• Chapter 1 of Homework Chapter 2 of Homework (in case you don't have the textbook yet)
• Homework 2 (Due: Jan 25 for in-class students, Jan 30 for distance students)
• Homework 3 (Due: Feb 5 for in-class students, Feb 6 for distance students)
• Homework 4 (Due: Feb 22 for in-class students, Feb 27 for distance students)
• Homework 5 (Due: Feb 29 for in-class students, and Mar 4 for distance students)