Business Analytics
Business Analytics introduces students to the quantitative methods they will need to thrive in the modern business world. Business Analytics is concerned with using business data to develop new insights and understanding. This involves being able to extract and summarise information from the rich data sets readily available in today's business environment; it involves being able to analyse this data in a way that leads to useful models of both the operations and the environment of a business; and it involves being able to respond appropriately as managers to quantitative information and quantitative models, and as such be able to make better business decisions.
As well as being useful in their own right, these skills in business analytics also enhance the effectiveness in the workplace of graduates majoring in other business disciplines. A range of electives is offered allowing students to select topics in business statistics, in operations management and in decision sciences.
Options for studying Business Analytics
Business Analytics is available as Table A major and minor options in the Bachelor of Commerce, the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Advanced Computing and Bachelor of Commerce.
Please note. Students cannot complete both a major and a minor in Business Analytics for their degree.
Pathway through the major and minor
The requirements for a major/minor in Business Analytics are spread out over three years of the degree (four years if students are completing a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree).
(i) Business Analytics major
To achieve a major in Accounting, students must complete 48 credit points comprising:
- 12 credit points in 1000-level core units of study;
- 18 credit points in 2000-level core units of study;
- 6 credit points in 3000-level core units of study; and
- 12 credit points in 3000-level selective units of study.
A sample pathway for the Business Analytics major (over three years of a degree) is listed below:
| Year | Session | Units of study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Semester 1 | Core: BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis * | |
| Semester 2 | Core: QBUS1040 Foundations of Business Analytics | ||
| Second | Semester 1 | Core: QBUS2310 Management Science | |
| Semester 2 | Core: QBUS2810 Statistical Modelling for Business | ||
| Third | Semester 1 | Core: QBUS2820 Predictive Analytics | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major |
| Semester 2 | Core: QBUS3600 Business Analytics in Practice ** | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major | |
* This unit is also degree core for the Bachelor of Commerce and related combined degrees.
** Capstone unit for major – completed in final semester of study
Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in the table above.
For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Business Analytics section of the unit of study table, Table A in this handbook.
(ii) Business Analytics minor
To achieve a minor in Business Analytics, students must complete 36 credit points comprising:
- 12 credit points in 1000-level core units of study;
- 18 credit points in 2000-level core units of study; and
- 6 credit points in 3000-level selective units of study.
A sample pathway for the Business Analytics minor (over three years of a degree) is listed below.
| Year | Session | Units of study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Semester 1 | Core: BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis * | |
| Semester 2 | Core: QBUS1040 Foundations of Business Analytics | ||
| Second | Semester 1 | Core: QBUS2310 Management Science | |
| Semester 2 | Core: QBUS2810 Statistical Modelling for Business | ||
| Third | Semester 1 | Core: QBUS2820 Predictive Analytics | |
| Semester 2 | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for minor | ||
* This unit is also degree core for the Bachelor of Commerce and related combined degrees.
Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in the table above.
For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Business Analytics section of the unit of study table, Table A in this handbook.
Honours
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced studies who complete a major in Business Analytics (within the first three years of their degree) may be eligible to complete honours in Business Analytics as their fourth year of study in this program.
For details the requirements for admission to honours and the structure of the honours program, please refer to Business School Honours.
Further information
For further information regarding study in business analytics at the University of Sydney, please refer to the Discipline of Business Analytics.