Program Overview

Business Administration — Business Analytics Concentration, BA

Introduction

The Business Administration – Business Analytics Concentration provides students with the knowledge and expertise needed to transform complex data into valuable insights that drive strategic decision-making. Through this program, students will unlock the full potential of statistical tools and analytical methods to extract valuable insights from complex data, master the application of cutting-edge models, and interpret results to make informed decisions. Additionally, the program emphasizes hands-on learning, providing students with real-world experience to prepare them for the challenges of the modern business environment.

Learning Competency Goals

• Demonstrate breadth of business knowledge
• Produce quality business documents
• Analyze problems using an ethical perspective
• Analyze the legal implications of business decisions
• Critically analyze problems and defend resolutions
• Solve business problems using quantitative techniques
• Apply a global perspective in conducting business
• Identify and analyze social consequences of business activities
• Understand the importance of environmental sustainability

Why Consider a Business Analytics Concentration in Business Administration Major?

In today’s fast-paced and data-driven business landscape, the demand for skilled business analysts is skyrocketing as organizations across industries harness the power of data to fuel innovation and stay competitive. As businesses continue to prioritize data-driven approaches to enhance efficiency and growth, pursuing a career in Business Analytics is an essential step for anyone looking to thrive in this dynamic and high-demand field.

Student Resources

• Sample careers: Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Analyst, Operations Research Analyst, Marketing Analyst, Financial Analyst, Supply Chain Analyst, AI & Machine Learning Consultant

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

To apply for the Business Administration - Business Analytics Concentration as a pre-major, provisional major, or full major, students must complete the online application form.

Pre-major

• Students who have not completed their foundation coursework may apply to the College and be given pre-major status.
• Pre-major status is granted to students who meet the following requirements:
  • Minimum 2.50 cumulative college-level GPA, including transfer coursework.
  • Minimum 2.50 Western cumulative GPA.
  • Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.00 Western cumulative GPA.

Full major

• To declare a full major in Business Analytics, students must:
  • Complete all foundation courses.
  • Have a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA, including all transfer coursework.
  • Have a minimum 2.50 Western cumulative GPA.

Selection Process

• In the event that the department needs to implement an admission process due to capacity constraints, a Decision Sciences faculty admission committee will review all applications.
• Admission to the concentration is based on:
  1. Available space in the program
  2. Academic performance (Western GPA is the primary factor)
  3. Performance in business courses at Western
  4. Trends in academic performance and related work experience

Grade Requirements

• A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements (88-92 credits)

Foundation Courses (30 credits)

• ACCT 240 - Financial Accounting Credits: 4
• ACCT 245 - Managerial Accounting Credits: 4
• DSCI 205 - Business Statistics Credits: 4
• ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics Credits: 4
• ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics Credits: 4
• MATH 157 - Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics Credits: 4 (May substitute MATH 157 with MATH 124, MATH 134, MATH 138 or AP calculus exam score of 3 or better.)
• MGMT 271 - Law and the Business Environment Credits: 4
• MIS 220 - Introduction to Business Computer Systems Credits: 2

Core Courses (26 credits)

• BUS 310 - Introduction to Professional & Career Readiness Credits: 1
• BUS 410 - Professional & Career Readiness as a College Graduate Credits: 1
• DSCI 305 - Applied Business Statistics and Analytics Credits: 4
• FIN 341 - Principles of Finance Credits: 4
• MGMT 311 - Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior Credits: 4
• MIS 320 - Principles of Management Information Systems Credits: 4
• MKTG 380 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 4
• OPS 360 - Operations Management Credits: 4

Advanced Core Courses (4-8 credits)

• MGMT 495 - Strategic Management Credits: 4
• or
• MGMT 491 - Small Business Entrepreneurship Credits: 4
• and MGMT 492 - Entrepreneurial Problems Credits: 4

Business Analytics Concentration Courses (20 credits)

• DSCI 407 - Predictive Analytics for Business Credits: 4
• MIS 422 - Business Intelligence and Analytics Credits: 4
• MIS 433 - Programming Skills for Business Analytics Credits: 4
• MIS 435 - Data Visualization for Decision Making Credits: 4
• OPS 462 - Management Science with Spreadsheets Credits: 4

Electives (8 credits)

• Complete two courses from the following:
  • MIS 421 - Business Database Development Credits: 4
  • MIS 432 - Artificial Intelligence in Business Credits: 4
  • MIS 434 - Applied Text Analytics for Business Credits: 4
  • OPS 461 - Project Management Credits: 4
  • OPS 466 - Supply Chain Management and Procurement Credits: 4
  • OPS 467 - Logistics Modeling and Analysis Credits: 4

Additional Requirements

• One Communication Focus (CF) course and three Writing Proficiency (WP) points from approved upper-division CBE courses.
• Accounting and Business majors must complete at least 90 credits outside of accounting and business administration.

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement