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
Students not enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce or related combined Bachelor of Commerce degrees can complete either a Business Analytics major or minor as a Table S (shared pool) option for their degree.
Commerce students can only complete a Business Analytics major or minor as a Table A option for their degree.
Pathways 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 Business Analytics, 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.
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 following table.
| Year | Session | Units of study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Semester 1 |
Core: BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis; OR DATA1001 Foundations of Data Science; OR ECMT1010 Introduction to Economic Statistics; OR ENVX1002 Introduction to Statistical Methods; OR (MATH1005 Statistical Thinking with Data or MATH1015 Biostatistics) and MATH1115 Interrogating Data; OR 6 credit points of MATH coded 1000-level units including MATH1905 Statistics (Advanced). |
|
| Semester 2 | Core: QBUS1040 Foundations of Business Analytics | ||
| Second | Semester 1 | Core: QBUS2810 Statistical Modelling for Business | |
| Semester 2 | Core: QBUS2310 Management Science | ||
| 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 | |
** Capstone unit for major – completed in final semester of study
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 S, in this handbook.
(i) 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.
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 following table.
| Year | Session | Units of study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Semester 1 | Core: BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis OR ECMT1010 Introduction to Economic Statistics; OR ENVX1002 Introduction to Statistics Methods; OR DATA1001 Foundations of Data Science; OR 6 credit points of MATH coded units including one of: MATH1005 Statistics, MATH1905 Statistics (Advanced), or MATH1015 Biostatistics | |
| Semester 2 | Core: QBUS1040 Foundations of Business Analytics | ||
| Second | Semester 1 | Core: QBUS2810 Statistical Modelling for Business | |
| Semester 2 | Core: QBUS2310 Management Science | ||
| Third | Semester 1 | Core: QBUS2820 Predictive Analytics | |
| Semester 2 | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for minor | ||
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 S, in this handbook.
Honours
Students enrolled in a degree combined with the Bachelor of Advanced studies who complete a major in Business Analytics with a weighted average mark of 70% (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 combined degree program. Students will need to have completed any requirements of their degree not satisfied with the completion of honours (including both majors, all core units, all Open Learning Environment units, and any elective units as necessary to ensure they meet degree requirements) by the end of their third year of study to proceed to honours in their fourth year of study.
For details the requirements for admission to honours and the structure of the honours program, please refer to Business School Honours.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the Business Analytics major students will be able to:
| No. | Mid-Level Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 1 | Apply key theories and concepts in business analytics to make sound business decisions. |
| 2 | Utilise and identify limitations of various analytical and statistical tools and techniques in analysing business data. |
| 3 | Critically evaluate information, data and research from a range of academic sources and media, use appropriate terminology, and apply adequate statistical reporting methods in oral and written communication. |
| 4 | Explain current trends in business analytics and their implications for various stakeholders. |
| 5 | Apply business knowledge from various disciplines to enable effective analyses of business data and to inform and improve decision-making for project management. |
| 6 | Program by using contemporary software and applying appropriate business analytics knowledge and techniques. |
| 7 | Statistically measure and analyse relationships between business variables via a range of quantitative models and methods. |
| 8 | Predict the future behaviour of relevant business variables using various business analytics techniques. |
| 9 | Collaborate effectively as a professional team member by valuing and supporting contributions from diverse perspectives in regards to business analytics problems. |
Further information
For further information regarding study in business analytics at the University of Sydney, please refer to the Discipline of Business Analytics.