Master of Science in Business Analytics
About the Program
Master of Science: 45.0 quarter credits
The MS in Business Analytics is designed for students who have an interest in quantitative methods, data analysis, and using computer programs to solve business problems.
Students learn how to access and analyze data for the purpose of improved business decision-making. This program prepares students to make good business decisions with fact-based insights and an understanding of business performance from a systems view, using statistical and quantitative analysis of data as well as explanatory and predictive modeling.
The program draws upon three traditional areas of business intelligence:
- statistics, to explore and uncover relationships in data;
- operations research, to develop mathematical models for planning and operations; and
- management information systems, to access and create databases that support the other two areas.
Additional Information
For additional information about the program, students should contact the Department of Decision Sciences.
Degree Requirements
| Operations Research | ||
| OPR 601 | Managerial Decision Models and Simulation | 3.0 |
| OPR 620 | Operations Research I | 3.0 |
| Statistics | ||
| STAT 601 | Business Statistics | 3.0 |
| STAT 630 | Multivariate Analysis | 3.0 |
| STAT 698 | Special Topics (Datamining for Managers) * | 3.0 |
| Management Information Systems | ||
| MIS 630 | Inter-Active Decision Support Systems ** | 3.0 |
| MIS 632 | Database Analysis and Design for Business ** | 3.0 |
| Select eight of the following: | 24.0 | |
| Risk Management ** | ||
| Business Conditions and Forecasting ** | ||
| Managerial Economics | ||
| Business & Economic Strategy: Game Theory & Applications | ||
| Operations Research II | ||
| Advanced Mathematical Program | ||
| System Simulation | ||
| Operations Management | ||
| Management of Manufacturing Firms | ||
| Materials Management | ||
| Management of Service Firms | ||
| Supply Chain Management | ||
| Statistical Sampling | ||
| Applied Regression Analysis | ||
| Quality & Six-Sigma | ||
| Experimental Design | ||
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
| * | Prerequisite is STAT 630. |
| ** | Students will need to have the prerequisite for this course waived with permission of the instructor. |
Business Statistics Courses
STAT 601 Business Statistics 3.0 Credits
This course covers the basic principles and implementation techniques of descriptive statistics, sampling, statistical inference, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. An understanding of how these tools can support managerial decision making is emphasized.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
STAT 602 Decision Sciences I 3.0 Credits
Concentrates on the application of quantitative decision-making models to significant problem situations in business and government. Emphasizes statistical inference techniques, including hypothesis testing, simple and multiple linear regression and correlation, analysis of variance models, non-parametric methods, and computer applications.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 313 [Min Grade: C] or STAT 202 [Min Grade: C]
STAT 622 Statistical Decision Theory I 3.0 Credits
Covers philosophy and concepts of Bayesian decision techniques; diagramming decision situations; defining decision strategies; minimax, maximin, and expected value principles; measures of utility; value of additional information; optimum sample size; and analysis with discrete and continuous functions.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 624 Statistical Decision Theory II 3.0 Credits
Continues BSTAT 622. Applies principles and techniques of statistical decision theory to case problems.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 622 [Min Grade: C]
STAT 626 Statistical Sampling 3.0 Credits
Covers random processes; sampling frames; properties of estimators; simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, and stratified cluster sampling; ratio estimates; reliability and validity; and construction of survey instruments.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 628 Applied Regression Analysis 3.0 Credits
Covers techniques of simple and multiple linear regression models, including residual analysis, assumption violations, variable selection techniques, correlated independent variables, qualitative input and output variables, ridge regression, polynomial and non-linear regression, regression with time-series data, forecasting, and normal correlation models.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 630 Multivariate Analysis 3.0 Credits
An introduction to multivariate statistics that focuses on the use of statistical methods for exploring and discovering information in large business datasets. Topics will be drawn from clustering and discriminate analysis for classification, principle components analysis for data exploration and variable reduction, factor analysis for indentifying latent variables, and other traditional multivariate topics.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: C]
STAT 632 Datamining for Managers 3.0 Credits
Datamining focuses on extracting knowledge from large datasets. This course introduces the student to several key datamining concepts including classification, prediction, data reduction, model comparison and data exploration. Software and datasets are employed to illustrate the concepts.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 634 Quality & Six-Sigma 3.0 Credits
This course covers the current theory and practice in quality, with a focus on Six-Sigma Implementation. Topics will include the dynamic nature of quality, the roles of management in planning and guiding quality efforts, as well as the fundamentals of statistical methods for quality monitoring and improvement.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 636 Experimental Design 3.0 Credits
Introduces design of experiments. Covers topics including scientific approach to experimentation, completely randomized designs, randomized complete block designs, Latin square designs, factorial designs, two-factorial designs, fractional factorials, nested and split plot designs, response surfaces designs, and Taguchi methods.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 638 Advanced Statistical Quality Control 3.0 Credits
Covers advanced topics in statistical process control. Covers topics including cumulative sum (CUSUM) control charts, exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts, multivariate control charts, economic design and evaluation of control charts, performance specifications, process capability and improvement, and computer applications. Usually includes several guest speakers from service and manufacturing firms.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 634 [Min Grade: C]
STAT 698 Special Topics 0.5-9.0 Credits
Provides courses in topics of current interest to faculty and students. May be repeated for credit if topics vary.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 699 Independent Study in Quantitative Methods 12.0 Credits
College/Department: LeBow College of Business
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 790 Seminar in Management Analysis 3.0 Credits
Provides independent research on selected management topics. Requires oral presentation and written report of graduate quality.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: C]
STAT 792 Seminar in Quality Science 3.0 Credits
Provides independent research on selected topics in quality science. Requires oral presentation and written report of graduate quality.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 601 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 901 Quantitative Methods I 3.0 Credits
College/Department: LeBow College of Business
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
STAT 902 Quantitative Methods II 3.0 Credits
College/Department: LeBow College of Business
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
STAT 920 Stochastic Processes I 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is on the construction of stochastic models for decision problems and the analysis of their properties. The course introduces Markov Chains and the classification of their convergence, and moves on to queuing models.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: STAT 931 [Min Grade: B-] or STAT 932 [Min Grade: B-]
STAT 922 Statistical Methods in Experimental Design 3.0 Credits
College/Department: LeBow College of Business
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
STAT 924 Multivarate Analysis 3.0 Credits
College/Department: LeBow College of Business
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
STAT 931 Statistics for Economics 3.0 Credits
This course will cover the traditional introductory statistics topics; descriptive statistics, probability theory, random variables, discrete and continuous probability distribution, sampling distributions, estimation, and hypothesis testing. Then we’ll move on to a more advanced topic: regression analysis.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if program is PHD.
STAT 932 Statistics for Behavioral Science 3.0 Credits
This course provides a non-theoretical coverage of common statistics topics for students in the behavioral sciences. These may include, but are not limited to descriptive statistics, probability theory, random variables, discrete and continuous probability distributions, sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, & regression. Emphasis is put on and examples are of behavioral topics.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if program is PHD.
STAT 990 Special Topics - PhD-Quantitative Methods 0.5-9.0 Credits
College/Department: LeBow College of Business
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
STAT 998 Dissertation Research in Statistics 1.0-12.0 Credit
Dissertation Research.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 12 times for 24 credits
STAT 999 STAT Independent Study 3.0 Credits
STAT Independent Study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 3 times for 9 credits
Management Information Systems Courses
MIS 611 Management Information Systems 3.0 Credits
Provides students with an understanding of current information technology. Emphasizes the state and application of current technology in addressing business problems and the opportunities now and in the future, and addresses the changing role of MIS within the organizational structure.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 624 E-Commerce Systems I 3.0 Credits
Examines concepts of the information systems development lifecycle and methods for analyzing user information requirements. Focuses on structured techniques for designing a system, managing its development and testing, performing feasibility analyses, and ensuring both user satisfaction and achievement of functional requirements. Covers techniques such as rapid application development (RAD), prototyping, and joint analysis and design (JAD) in detail. Also covers techniques such as data flow diagramming, logical database design, and user interface design.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 630 Inter-Active Decision Support Systems 3.0 Credits
Examines the theory of DSS for use in supporting managerial decision making. Also discusses EIS, KBS, data mining, and data warehousing. Describes the benefits of online analytical processing (OLAP) to the organization and how they can be measured. Includes the development and use of DSS by student groups in a case study.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 631 VB.NET Programming 3.0 Credits
The course gives students a good understanding of the programming and system technical skills they will need to master if they plan to be MIS managers. Students will be able to write applications on a PC covering objects, controls, and database applications.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 632 Database Analysis and Design for Business 3.0 Credits
Focuses on database analysis and design for a wide range of business functions. Stresses the fundamentals of sound logical database design using techniques such as entity/relationship modeling. Examines the relational database and the object-oriented approaches to database design and handles specific design methods, such as normalization. Also discusses physical database design and data storage methodologies such as raid and hierarchical storage management (HSM). Involves a hands-on orientation with the use of tools such as oracle, Access, and Visual Basic.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 641 MIS Policy and Strategy 3.0 Credits
Ties together concepts from all areas of management and the economic, behavioral, functional, and technical aspects of MIS. Defines overall and context-specific information needs of organizations and focuses on the role of MIS in meeting these needs. Examines alternatives for matching MIS department structures and operations to the structures, strategies, and behaviors of organizations. Also investigates, proposes, and analyzes management policy issues relating to the management of the MIS function.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 650 Management of Health Care Info Systems 3.0 Credits
This course explores the concepts, design, and application of the management of information systems in the modern healthcare environment.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 651 Information Systems Outsourcing Management 3.0 Credits
The course presents a balances presentation of the risks and benefits of outsourcing and what should be the objectives and mindset of successful outsources. It also discusses the appropriate skill set, how to approach this risky endeavor. Although concentrating on information systems outsourcing, it lessons apply to other types of outsourcing.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 698 Special Topics in Management Information Systems 0.5-9.0 Credits
Provides courses in topics of current interest to faculty and students. May be repeated for credit if topics vary.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Prerequisites: MIS 641 [Min Grade: C]
MIS 699 Independent Study 0.5-6.0 Credits
Independent Study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Prerequisites: MIS 611 [Min Grade: C] or MIS 641 [Min Grade: C] or MIS 311 [Min Grade: C] or MIS E311 [Min Grade: C] or MIS 511 [Min Grade: C]
MIS 901 Research Seminar in MIS 3.0 Credits
This course provides an introduction to research in the fields of Management Information Systems. It covers classic journal articles in the field, various research methods, and provide a perspective in a major research project during the course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 910 Qualitative Research Methods in MIS 3.0 Credits
This course is designed as an introductory seminar on qualitative research as it is used in the fields of information systems. The course balances the acquisition of basic knowledge about the conduct of qualitative research with the application of the knowledge to research on information systems.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: MIS 901 [Min Grade: C]
MIS 920 MIS Adoption & Internalization 3.0 Credits
The objective of this course is to provide doctoral students with a solid foundation in information systems research based on readings and in the area of IS adoption and internalization. Emphasis is placed on doing exemplary research, building theory within this domain and building a career within the academic community.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: MIS 901 [Min Grade: C]
MIS 930 MIS Implementation Management 3.0 Credits
This course reviews key articles about MIS implementation management, identify key theories, appropriate research methodologies, and guide students in writing a research proposal on MIS implementation. The seminar may be a preparation for submitting the dissertation proposal.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: MIS 901 [Min Grade: C]
MIS 940 Economics of Information Technology and E-Commerce 3.0 Credits
This seminar looks at research issues in information technologies and systems through applying relevant theories and methods from economics. The topics include the impacts of IT on marketplaces and organizational structures, firm strategies in electronic commerce and the values of IT investments.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
MIS 990 Special Topics in PhD-Management Information Systems 0.5-9.0 Credits
College/Department: LeBow College of Business
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
MIS 999 MIS Independent Study 3.0 Credits
MIS Independent Study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 3 times for 9 credits
