Program Overview

Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) Program

The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program at Cal Poly is distinct from the Master of Science in Quantitative Economics (MSQE) program. The key differences lie in their focus areas, with the MSBA concentrating on application-oriented analytics, identification of causal relations, and analysis of economic incentives.

Program Details

• Company Position Focus: The MSBA program prepares students for careers in business analytics, with firms interested in hiring professionals with expertise in this field.
• Interdisciplinary Faculty: The program boasts a faculty from diverse disciplines, including Information Systems, Statistics, Cloud Computing, Marketing, Management, Economics, and Finance.
• Culminating Experience: The program culminates in collaborative industry projects, providing students with hands-on experience in applying analytical skills to real-world problems.

Prerequisites and Recommendations

• Required: One college-level course in calculus and two college-level courses in statistics.
  • Calculus: A fundamental course in calculus is necessary for understanding advanced statistical and econometric concepts.
  • Statistics: Two courses in statistics are required to provide a solid foundation in statistical analysis and inference.
• Recommended: One linear algebra course.
  • Linear Algebra: While not mandatory, a course in linear algebra can enhance understanding and application of certain statistical and machine learning techniques.

Statistical and Computing Tools

The program covers a wide range of statistical and computing tools, including:

• Data Visualization
• Statistics
• Econometrics
• Advanced Econometrics
• SQL
• Computing and Machine Learning
• Data Mining
• Cloud Computing
• Marketing Analytics
• People Analytics
• Prescriptive Analytics
• R and Python

These tools equip students with the skills necessary to analyze complex data sets, identify patterns, and make informed business decisions. The emphasis on both theoretical foundations and practical applications ensures that graduates are well-prepared for careers in business analytics.