2023-24 Catalog

Business Analytics

The Business Analytics (BUAN) major, housed in the Department of Decision and Technology Analytics (DATA), prepares students with cutting-edge knowledge and skill sets that will enable them to be competitive in the rapidly growing field of business analytics, by focusing on using technological tools to extract, integrate, visualize, analyze, and interpret data to support business decision making. This program will provide students with a strong training in applied data and analytics skills which allow them to turn raw data into value for a business.

These skills can be applied in a broad range of functional areas and industries including management, marketing, operations, financial services, healthcare, and more. Career opportunities for BUAN majors include: business analyst, data analyst, research analyst, analytics consultants, risk analysts, and more.

The Business Analytics major requires 4 courses and 2 electives beyond the core requirements of the College of Business. 

4 Required Courses
BIS 324Business Data Management3
BUAN 348Predictive Analytics in Business3
BUAN 352Business Analytics and Modelling3
BUAN 357Artificial Intelligence for Business3
2 Elective Courses from the Following List:
BIS 335Application Development for Business3
BUAN 346Python Applications for Business3
SCM 330Analytics for Service Operations3
SCM 345Analytical Approaches to Supply Chain Management 3
ACCT 330Accounting Data and Analytics3
ECO 301Econometric Software3
ECO 357Econometrics3
ECO 367Applied Microeconometrics3
MKT/ECO 325Consumer Insights through Data Analysis3
MKT 326Marketing Analytics in a Digital Space3
FIN 377Advanced Topics--Investments (Data Science for Finance)3
 

Course descriptions for the College of Business graduate courses can be found under Business Graduate courses.

Courses

BUAN 044 (BIS 044) Business Analytics I 1.5 Credit

This course covers the basic concepts of data, including the collection, organization, exploration, and understanding of data with an emphasis on complex business data. The focus is on data as an organizational asset, and how data is structured for use in business to optimize business decisions and processes. Students will implement data analytic techniques through hands on programming.

BUAN 244 (BIS 244) Business Analytics II 1.5 Credit

This course covers techniques and algorithms for creating effective visualizations of complex business data. The emphasis will be on the use of data visualization in business decision making. Students will implement data analysis and visualization through hands on programming and visualization tools.
Prerequisites: (BUAN 044 or BIS 044) and (ECO 045 or MATH 231 or ISE 121)

BUAN 346 Python Applications for Business 3 Credits

This class is designed to introduce students to the processes involved in acquiring, cleaning, arranging, analyzing, and visualizing business data using the Python programming language. It will be fast-paced, but assumes only a basic familiarity with coding, and requires no specific expertise in Python to start. Students cannot receive credit for both BUAN 346 and BIS 446.
Prerequisites: BIS 111

BUAN 348 Predictive Analytics in Business 3 Credits

The course covers theories and practices in predictive analytics in business. Students will have hands-on experience on analyzing business data for business intelligence and improved business decision making. Includes: key theories, concepts, and models of predictive analytics; and data mining tools to formulate and solve business problems. The course uses data analytics software and real data. Topics include prediction, forecasting, classification, clustering, data-visualization and data reduction techniques. Not available to students who have credit for BIS 448 or BIS 456.
Prerequisites: BIS 111 and (ECO 045 or MATH 012 or MATH 231)

BUAN 352 Business Analytics and Modelling 3 Credits

This course covers advanced analytic methods for understanding and solving business problems. The emphasis is on understanding and applying a wide range of modern techniques to specific decision-making situations. Using the programming language R, the course covers advanced topics such as machine learning, text mining, and social network analysis. Upon completion, students will have valuable practical analytical skills to handle large datasets and make business decisions. Credits will not be given for both BUAN 352 and BIS 452.
Prerequisites: BIS 111 and (ECO 045 or MATH 012 or MATH 231)

BUAN 357 Artificial Intelligence for Business 3 Credits

This course covers fundamental concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it is applied to solve business problems, to increase business value, transform businesses and to gain competitive advantage. A brief technical overview will be covered. Common machine learning (ML) algorithms will be covered and students will have hands-on experience with AI tools/frameworks. Example use cases of these ML algorithms in various business functional areas will be examined. Finally, ethical challenges in the AI context will be explored.
Prerequisites: BIS 111 and (ECO 045 or MATH 012 or MATH 231) and (BIS 044 or BIS 335 or CSE 002 or CSE 012 or CSE 007 or CSE 003)

BUAN 371 DIRECTED READINGS 1-3 Credits

Readings and research business analytics; designed for superior students who have special interest in some topic(s) not covered by the regularly scheduled courses. Written term paper(s) required. Must have preparation in business analytics acceptable to program coordinator.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.

BUAN 372 Special Topics in Business Analytics 1-3 Credits

Special problems and issues in business analytics for which no regularly scheduled course work exists. When offered as group study, coverage varies according to interests of the instructor and students. Must have preparation in business analytics acceptable to program coordinator.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.

BUAN 373 Business Analytics Internship 1-3 Credits

Based on a student's work experience, a sponsoring faculty member shall direct readings, projects, and other assignments-including a "capstone report." It should be noted that the work experience (at least 80 hours per credit), by itself, is not the basis for academic credit. The faculty directed activity must be provided concurrent with the work. Course registration and related arrangements, including designating a sponsoring faculty member, must be made in advance of the work engagement. This course must be taken Pass/Fail.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.

BUAN 446 Python Applications for Business 3 Credits

This class is designed to introduce students to the processes involved in acquiring, cleaning, arranging, analyzing, and visualizing business data using the Python programming language. It will be fast-paced, but assumes only a basic familiarity with coding, and requires no specific expertise in Python to start. Students cannot receive credit for both BUAN 346 and BUAN 446.

BUAN 448 Predictive Analytics in Business 3 Credits

The course covers theories and practices in predictive analytics in business. Students will have hands-on experience on analyzing business data for business intelligence and improved business decision making. Includes: key theories, concepts, and models of predictive analytics; and data mining tools to formulate and solve business problems. The course uses data analytics software and real data. Topics include prediction, forecasting, classification, clustering, data-visualization and data reduction techniques. Not available to students who have credit for BUAN 348 or BIS 456.

BUAN 452 Business Analytics and Modelling 3 Credits

This course covers advanced analytic methods for understanding and solving business problems. The emphasis is on understanding and applying a wide range of modern techniques to specific decision-making situations. Using the programming language R, the course covers advanced topics such as machine learning, text mining, and social network analysis. Upon completion, students will have valuable practical analytical skills to handle large datasets and make business decisions. Credits will not be given for both BUAN 352 and BUAN 452.
Prerequisites: ECO 045 or BUEC

BUAN 457 Artificial Intelligence for Business 3 Credits

This course covers fundamental concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it is applied to solve business problems, to increase business value, transform businesses and to gain competitive advantage. A brief technical overview will be covered. Common machine learning (ML) algorithms will be covered and students will have hands-on experience with AI tools/frameworks. Example use cases of these ML algorithms in various business functional areas will be examined. Finally, ethical challenges in the AI context will be explored.
Prerequisites: BUAN 446

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