Business Analytics

Program Overview

Business Analytics – MSc

Course Overview

The MSc in Business Analytics provides students with a portfolio of business and analytical skills to solve business problems and support decision making. The course has been designed specifically to fill the 5,000 new jobs in Business Analytics that will be created in the next 5 years in Ireland (National Skills Council, 2022). Ireland currently has a shortage of Business Analytics professionals (National Skills Council, 2022) with the skills leaned on the programme hugely beneficial in preparing students to successfully enter the jobs market.

Entry Requirements

• Students are expected to have a minimum of a 2.2 Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8) in Business, IT, Science or Engineering.
• In line with institute policies, Non-EU nationals must provide evidence of ability to follow classes in English (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).
• Applicants may be required to attend TUS for an interview. Zoom interviews may be arranged for international students.

Course Modules

Semester 1

• Business Analytics & Modelling (5 credits)
  • This module will develop learners understanding of how analytics can impact decision-making and provide learners with analytical skills to understand, predict and optimise business operation and performance.
• Business Strategy (5 credits)
  • This module introduces students to strategic management and strategic issues from a business analyst point of view.
• Relational Databases (5 credits)
  • This module provides the student with the skills in areas such as entity modelling, normalisation and database design.
• Statistics And Tools For Business Analytics (10 credits)
  • This module will introduce students to the role of Excel macros and VBA programming to derive insight and automate processes involving large datasets.

Semester 2

• Applied Business Analytics (5 credits)
  • This module teaches learners the importance of data manipulation and pre-processing, exploration, analysis, and modelling.
• Data Interpretation and Business Analytics (5 credits)
  • Students will learn how to use data to drive their marketing activity and measure the effectiveness of their website.
• Data Visualisation (10 credits)
  • This module develops student skills in data visualisation by introducing various data visualisation techniques.
• Research Methods (5 credits)
  • This module aims to introduce students to the key concepts involved in research and to develop their understanding of the uses and relevance of the major methodologies employed.
• The Science of Decision Making (5 credits)
  • This module introduces the student to the science of decision making and is designed to help students become more effective decision makers.

Semester 3

• Applied Research Project (30 credits)
  • The project builds on the Research Methods module, where the research proposal will have been developed and submitted.

Career Opportunities

• Financial Market Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Customer Insight Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Data Scientist

Further Study

Upon successful completion of this programme, graduates have the opportunity to complete Level 9/10 programmes here at TUS or elsewhere.

Program Outline

Business Analytics – MSc - TUS

Degree Overview:

The MSc in Business Analytics equips students with a comprehensive set of business and analytical skills to effectively solve business problems and support informed decision-making. This program is specifically designed to address the growing demand for Business Analytics professionals in Ireland, with an estimated 5,000 new jobs projected in the next five years (National Skills Council, 2022). The program's curriculum is tailored to equip graduates with the necessary skills to thrive in this competitive job market.

Outline:

The MSc in Business Analytics is a full-time, one-year program delivered at the Moylish campus in Limerick City. It is a Level 9 postgraduate taught program offered by the Business & Financial Services department. The program commences on October 2nd, 2023.

Course Modules:

The program is structured across three semesters, with each semester offering a variety of modules:

Semester 1:

• Business Analytics & Modelling (5 Credits): This module introduces students to the impact of analytics on decision-making and equips them with analytical skills to understand, predict, and optimize business operations and performance.
Key concepts covered include data exploration, mining, forecasting, and optimization. The module utilizes MS Excel, add-ins Analytic Solver Platform, and XLMiner through illustrative examples.
• Business Strategy (5 Credits): This module provides students with a business analyst perspective on strategic management and strategic issues.
It explores contemporary issues related to the formulation and implementation of corporate and business strategies, emphasizing identifying and implementing strategic change within organizations, building dynamic capabilities, and developing coherent strategies. Topics may include strategies in the face of uncertainty, global strategies, and knowledge-based strategies.
• Relational Databases (5 Credits): This module focuses on developing students' skills in areas such as entity modeling, normalization, and database design.
It also emphasizes utilizing the SQL language to operationalize the design process, manage data, and manage security within a modern relational database management system.
• Statistics And Tools For Business Analytics (10 Credits): This module introduces students to the role of Excel macros and VBA programming in deriving insights and automating processes involving large datasets.
Practical work provides students with experience in applying statistical techniques to data and programming VBA to instruct Excel to perform tasks.

Semester 2:

• Applied Business Analytics (5 Credits): This module emphasizes the importance of data manipulation and pre-processing, exploration, analysis, and modeling.
The module also includes a modeling component where students build linear and non-linear models, assess model performance and variable selection, and learn to write clear reports conveying analysis results. Topics include using data to understand customers, enhance customer loyalty, and gain new customers through improved profiling and segmentation.
• Data Visualisation (10 Credits): This module develops students' skills in data visualization by introducing various techniques.
• Research Methods (5 Credits): This module introduces students to key research concepts and develops their understanding of major methodologies.
The content covered forms the basis for the research dissertation element of the MSc in Data Analytics program, with a key outcome being a valid and robust research proposal for research in the area of Data Analytics.
• The Science of Decision Making (5 Credits): This module introduces students to the science of decision making, aiming to help them become more effective decision-makers.
It explores theories and methods drawn from psychology, economics, philosophy, statistics, and management science to understand and improve the judgment and decision-making of individuals, groups, and organizations.

Semester 3:

• Applied Research Project (30 Credits): This capstone project builds upon the Research Methods module, where students have developed and submitted their research proposal.
The dissertation consists of 20,000 words, excluding appendices. This element integrates curriculum content and, in collaboration with an approved industry partner, delivers a significant body of work contributing to the body of knowledge in the field of data analytics. The dissertation draws on analytical and evaluative competences developed during the program and provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to undertake individual research ethically and methodologically.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Assignments: Students complete assignments throughout the program to demonstrate their understanding of the course material.
• Exams: Exams are used to assess students' knowledge and understanding of the course content.
• Presentations: Students may be required to give presentations on their research or projects.
• Dissertation: The dissertation is the final assessment for the program and requires students to conduct independent research and write a comprehensive report on their findings.

Teaching:

The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Lectures are used to introduce students to key concepts and theories.
• Seminars: Seminars provide students with the opportunity to discuss and debate course material with their peers and faculty.
• Workshops: Workshops provide students with hands-on experience in applying the skills they have learned.
• Case studies: Case studies are used to help students apply their knowledge to real-world situations.

Careers:

Graduates of the MSc in Business Analytics are well-prepared for a variety of careers in the field of data analytics. The program's curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this growing field.

Career Opportunities:

• Financial Market Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Customer Insight Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Data Scientist

Further Study:

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates have the opportunity to pursue further studies at Level 9/10 programs at TUS or other institutions.

Other:

The program is designed to meet the growing demand for Business Analytics professionals in Ireland. The program's curriculum is tailored to equip graduates with the necessary skills to thrive in this competitive job market.