Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)

STEM CIP Code: 30.7102

MSBA Program Objective:

The objective of the Master of Science in Business Analytics program is to enable aspiring business analysts, modelers, operational managers, and expert advisors to solve business challenges by bringing optimized quantitative driven recommendations into decision making and forecasting processes. Successful students will learn to use a combination of probability-based methods, high speed computational processing, and visual analytics, in conjunction with modern management, marketing and logistics strategies.

The curriculum provides training in software engineering and prepares the students for employment in computer software related areas, such as computer software design and development, and computer software applications in computer networks and Internet systems. After completing the undergraduate degree, a student is also prepared to enter an advanced degree program in a computer science related field if he/she desires.

MSBA Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

Students graduating with a Master of Science in Business Analytics degree are expected to demonstrate the following program learning outcomes and abilities.

• (PLO 1) Written Communication - For the intended audience, skillfully communicate focused insights and recommendations in context of the wider business situation and challenges while illustrating fluency in the supporting quantitative analysis and mastery of the underlying data.
• (PLO 2) Oral Communication - Create a cohesive presentation with messages that are precisely stated and delivered in a compelling manner with supporting visual analytics, with polished language and appropriate technical detail.
• (PLO 3) Quantitative Reasoning - Convert relevant business factors and data sets into insightful multivariable analytical models suitable for computerized processing with the processing steps optimized to fit given business restrictions such as: value of expected information / decisions, available time, budget, and computational resources.
• (PLO 4) Information Literacy - For the business challenge at hand, proactively determine the scope of needed information and data from multiple sources, determine optimal search approaches, filter and organize the resulting information and data for the chosen analysis methods, properly handle the information in terms of legal, ethical, and confidentiality restrictions.
• (PLO 5) Critical Thinking - For the issue at hand, develop a clear situation statement, systematically analyze the involved assumptions, evaluate, and interpret the available information to form a comprehensive analysis, assign value weights, develop a specific position, state the limits of the created position and its perspective to other positions.
• (PLO 6) Specialized Knowledge - Innovatively synthesize competitive advantages and situation dependent optimal solutions / positions using relevant business theories, modern decision-making techniques, and quantitative based analytics.

MSBA Curriculum

A minimum of 30 semester units of graduate study are required for the MSBA program. The MSBA curriculum includes coursework in the following categories: Core Required Courses, Major Required Courses, Elective Courses, and a Capstone Course.

I. Core Required Courses (9 units)

The following required courses provide a knowledge base of interdisciplinary business theories and techniques.

II. Major Courses Selectable from the Pool listed below (9 units)

Beyond Core Requirements, the student is required to take at least 6 units of 500 level business analytics (BAN5xx major) coursework and 3 additional major units (for a total of 9 units) from the list below. These courses, if not already counted towards the Major Requirement, may be used towards the Elective Requirement.

6 units are required from the list below (500 level business analytics):

3 units are required from the major pool list below:

III. Electives (9 units)

The student may elect any graduate-level courses (courses numbered 4xxG, 5xx) to meet the Electives requirement. Free electives may include courses from the School of Business, the School of Engineering, CPT, Career Development, and courses transferred in.

It is recommended that MSBA students consider taking BAN and computer science courses related to data and information processing. For example, MSBA students may find interesting as an elective CS478 Blockchain Technology and Applications (3 units). Blockchain technology is the foundation for Cryptocurrency and Blockchain enabled digital business contracts. Another course that may interest MSBAn students is CS481 Introduction to Data Science (3 units).

Curricular Practicum: When applicable, the student may take curricular practicum courses (CPT501 or CPT502) and engage in practical training to work on company projects that are directly related to the student’s course of study. The student must observe the rules required for taking the practicum courses. No more than 3 units of practicum coursework may be counted towards graduation.

Career Development: P450G Career Development (1 unit)

This course is designed for students to take in preparation for becoming working professionals. Topics include effective communication strategies, emotional intelligence, diversity and cultural awareness, professional behavior, and interview skills.

Note: Emotional Intelligence courses SOC501 (1 unit) Emotional Intelligence Essentials and SOC450G (3 units) Emotional Intelligence are considered acceptable as electives. Emotional Intelligence (EI / EQ) is essential for successfully managing and controlling interpersonal relations, and therefore helpful to those aspiring to management and decision-making positions.

IV. Required Capstone Course (3 units)

(A required subject)

Upon completing most of the coursework for this program, the student is required to take the capstone course and, under the guidance of the course instructor, integrate the knowledge and skills learned from all of the courses taken during the program.