Curriculum: Master of Science in Business Analytics

Curriculum: Master of Science in Business Analytics
04.14.2025
33-41 credit hours
05.12.2025
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curriculum icon Curriculum at a Glance

In the Masters in Business Analytics program, students work on real-world projects and learn the skills necessary to succeed in data visualization, statistical modeling, data mining and machine learning, optimization, and simulation in order to proficiently analyze large datasets and generate actionable insights. Classes include Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, Statistical Computing, Statistical Modeling, Data Mining, Big Data Integration/Warehousing, and Machine Learning.

The Lindner College of Business’ online Master’s in Business Analytics seeks working professionals seeking to become part-time students with quantitative or technical backgrounds (mathematics, engineering, statistics, science, economics etc.) who are interested in pursuing careers in the fields of business analytics and data science.

Any student who wishes to enroll into a full-time Master’s in Business Analytics course should refer to our on-campus program at also offered by the Carl H. Lindner College of Business

Machine learning and artificial intelligenceLearning Outcomes Based on Career Goals

  • Business Analytics: Understand the tasks and techniques needed to recognize business needs and determine solutions to business problems. Software-systems based solutions will drive efficiencies in identifying gaps.
  • Data Science: Gain expert knowledge in math and statistics to recognize business needs and analyze data to then apply machine learning and utilize artificial intelligence systems to generate tangible insights for business
  • Data Visualization: Gain a deeper knowledge of understanding data visualization tools to provide an accessible way to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data.

MS-BANA Core Courses

Students must complete 12 of the following core courses ( 25 credit hours)

Course Title / Description Credit
BANA7025
Data Wrangling
Course: BANA7025
Credit: 2
This course provides an intensive, hands-on introduction to data management and data manipulation. You will learn the fundamental skills required to acquire, munge, transform, manipulate, and visualize data in a computing environment that fosters reproducibility.
2
BANA7020
Optimization
Course: BANA7020
Credit: 3
An introduction to modeling, solving with state-of-the-art software, and interpreting the results for real-world linear, integer, and nonlinear optimization applications. Solution techniques and analyses covered include graphical approaches, the simplex method, duality, and sensitivity for linear optimization; branch-and-bound and cutting plane techniques for integer optimization; and Newton’s method and gradient search for nonlinear optimization.
3
BANA7030
Simulation Modeling and Methods
Course: BANA7030
Credit: 3
Building and using simulation models of complex static and dynamic, stochastic systems using both spreadsheets and high-level simulation software. Topics include generating random numbers, random variates, and random processes, modeling systems, simulating static models in spreadsheets, modeling complex dynamic stochastic systems with high-level commercial simulation software, basic input modeling and statistical analysis of terminating and steady-state simulation output, and managing simulation projects. Applications in complex queueing and inventory models representing real systems such as manufacturing, supply chains, healthcare, and service operations.
3
BANA7031
Probability Models
Course: BANA7031
Credit: 4
PROBABILITY MODELS: Events, probability spaces andprobability functions; Random variables; Distribution and density functions; Joint distributions; Moments of random variables; Special expectations; Moment generating functions;Conditional probability and conditional moments; Probability inequalities; Independence; Special probability distributions including: binomial, negative binomial, multinomial, Poisson, gamma, chi-square, normal, beta, t, F, mixture distributions, multivariate normal; Distribution of functions of random variables; Order statistics; Asymptotic results including: convergence in distribution, central limit theorem, convergence in probability, Slutsky's theorem STOCHASTIC MODELS: Discrete time Markov processes, Markov pure jump processes, Birth and death processes, Branching processes, Poisson process, Pure birth processes, Yule process; applications in several areas, e.g. queuing models, machine repair models, inventory models, etc.
4
BANA7042
Statistical Modeling
Course: BANA7042
Credit: 2
Nonlinear regression and generalized linear model.Logistic regression for dichotomous and polytomousresponses with a variety of links. Count data regression including Poisson and negative binomialregression. Variable selection methods. Graphical and analytic diagnostic procedures. Overdispersion. Generalized additive models. Limited dependent variable regression models (Tobit), Panel Data models.
2
BANA7046
Data Mining I
Course: BANA7046
Credit: 2
This is a course in the statistical data mining with emphasis on hands-on data analysis experience using various statistical methods and major statistical software (SAS and R) to analyze large complex real world data. Topics include: Data Processing. Variable Selection for linear regression and generalized linear regression. Out-of-sample Cross Validation. Generalized Additive models. Nonparametric smoothing methods. Classification and Regression Tree. Neural Network. Monte Carlo Simulation.
2
BANA7047
Data Mining II
Course: BANA7047
Credit: 2
This is a course in statistical data mining with emphasis on hands-on data analysis experience using various statistical methods and major statistical software (SAS and R) to analyze large complex real world data. Topics include: Missing Data Imputation, Bootstrapping, Boosting and Multiple Additive Regression Trees, Bayesian Trees, Support Vector Machine, Discriminant Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Factor Analysis, Principle Component Analysis.
2
BANA7051
Applied Statistical Methods
Course: BANA7051
Credit: 2
This course covers applied statistical methods, including topics of frequency distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, point and interval estimation for mean and proportion; comparison of two populations; goodness of fit tests, one factor ANOVA. Major statistical software is used.
2
BANA7052
Applied Linear Regression
Course: BANA7052
Credit: 2
This course covers applied linear regression, including topics of fitting and drawing inferences from simple and multiple linear regression models; residual diagnostics; model correction procedure for linear regression; variable selection. Major statistical software is used.
2
IS6030
Data Management
Course: IS6030
Credit: 2
This course provides an introduction to the use and design of databases to store, manipulate and query data. The course introduces the structured query language (SQL) used to manage data. Students who complete this course should understand how to use SQL for basic data manipulation and queries. This course is intended for users of existing databases to extract needed information and should not be taken by MSIS students or those students who wish to learn detailed database design techniques.
2
BANA6037
Data Visualization
Course: BANA6037
Credit: 2
This course provides an introduction as well as hands-on experience in data visualization. It introduces students to design principles for creating meaningful displays of quantitative and qualitative data to facilitate managerial decision-making.
2
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MS-BANA Capstone

BANA 8083 A minimum grade of C is required for this course.

Course Title / Description Credit
BANA8083
MS Capstone
Course: BANA8083
Credit: 1
This course is associated with the required MS Business Analytics Capstone. The Capstone experience will be described in an essay that is reviewed and approved by two faculty members. The essay can describe: (1)a research project based onan idea proposed independently by the student or with faculty input; (2)an extension of a case analysis or project completed in a class such as BANA7095, Graduate Case Studies in Business Analytics. The essay must describe the student's contribution to the research or case.
1
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MS-BANA Electives (BANA)

Students are required to take 8 elective hours, four of which must be from BANA courses. Substitutions must be approved by the program director.

Course Title / Description Credit
BANA6043
Statistical Computing
Course: BANA6043
Credit: 2
This is a course on the use of computer tools for data management and analysis. The focus is on a few popular data management and statistical software packages such as SQL, SAS, SPSS, S Plus, R, and JMP although others may be considered. Data management and manipulation techniques including queries in SQL will be covered. Elementary analyses may include measures of location and spread, correlation, detection of outliers, table creation, graphical displays, comparison of groups, as well as specialized analyses.
2
BANA6044
Applications Development using VBA
Course: BANA6044
Credit: 4
The use of visual basic for applications for the development of applications of management science models for planning and decision support in a spreadsheet environment.
4
BANA7048
Multivariate Statistical Methods
Course: BANA7048
Credit: 2
This is a course in the analysis multivariate data with emphasis on appropriate choice of estimation and testing methods. Vectors and matrices, Multivariate probability distributions and their parameter, Multivariate normal distributions, Maximization and minimization of multivariate functions, The "shape" of multivariate normal data, Correlation, prediction and regression, Sample statistics and their sampling distributions for multivariate normal data; Estimation and tests for correlation, Tests of independence, Estimation and tests for multivariate means and covariance matrices, Power of multivariate tests, multivariate linear models, canonical correlation analysis, Principal components analysis, Factor analysis, Classification and discrimination analysis.
2
BANA7050
Forecasting and Time Series Methods
Course: BANA7050
Credit: 2
This is a course in the analysis of time series data with emphasis on appropriate choice of forecasting, estimation, and testing methods. Univariate Box-Jenkins methodology for fitting and forecasting time series. ARIMA models, Stationarity non-Stationarity, auto-correlation functions, partial and inverse autocorrelation functions, Estimation and model fitting, Diagnosing time series models, Forecasting: Point and interval forecasts, Seasonal time series models,Transfer function models, Intervention models, Modeling volatility with ARCH, GARCH, and other methods, Modeling time series with trends, Multiequation time series models: Vector Auto Regression (VAR), Cointegration and error correction models, Nonlinear time series models, State space time series models, Bayesian time series and forecasting
2
BANA7095
Graduate Case Studies in Business Analytics
Course: BANA7095
Credit: 2
Real organizational problems or challenges will be presented to students by client companies. Students in groups will work with a client to develop a solution or solutions to the problems using advanced analytic techniques. Students will present the solutions to the client in both oral and written reports.
2
BANA8090
Special Topics in Business Analytics
Course: BANA8090
Credit: 1-4
This course is used to explore topics of current interest in the BANA domain, that do not fall within the scope of any of the regularly scheduled courses. By the nature of the course, specific topics covered will vary with each offering.
1-4
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MS-BANA Electives (non-BANA)

Four of the eight required elective credit hours can come from non-BANA graduate courses. Selected courses are listed below. Substitutions can be made but must be approved by the program director.

Course Title / Description Credit
IS 8070 002
Special Topics in IS
Course: IS 8070 002
Credit: 1
This course is used to explore topics of current interest in the IS domain, that do not fall withinthe scope of any of the regularly scheduled courses. By the very nature of the course, specific topics covered will vary with each offering.
1
CS6052
Intelligent Data Analysis
Course: CS6052
Credit: 3
This course will introduce students to the theoretical and practical aspects of the field of data mining. Algorithms for data mining will be covered and their relationships with statistics, mathematics, and algorithm design foundations will be explored in detail.
3
ECON8021
Game Theory
Course: ECON8021
Credit: 2
Students will know and comprehend the fundamental concepts in non-cooperative game theory. They will apply non-cooperative game theory to analyze imperfect competition, moral hazard, adverse selection, market failures, and externalities and public goods. The students will be evaluated through tests, where they will solve relevant problems by employing game theoretic tools.
2
FIN7045
Portfolio Management
Course: FIN7045
Credit: 3
This course presents the mainstream and alternate view of portfolio management using research papers, articles, and materials from academics and the markets. Many of the concepts covered are covered in the body of knowledge leading to the CFA designation.
3
IS7012
Web Development with .Net
Course: IS7012
Credit: 2
This course is an introduction to the development of web-based applications, using Microsoft's Visual Studio and covering ASP.Net using Visual C#. Students will be expected to develop a simple web application that incorporates these technologies. Students will learn how to integrate the front-end (web site) with the back end (database) of an application. The course will cover the implementation of navigational structures, input and validation controls, and data controls in web applications.
2
IS7034
Business Intelligence
Course: IS7034
Credit: 2
The course introduces business intelligence for supporting business competition. It covers topics such as data warehousing, dimensional modeling, on-line analytic processing (OLAP), and data mining. Data warehouses have been created to store(archive) data from operational information systems so that it can be easily accessed. In the last 10 years, this new information technology has matured and found to be very useful in generating valuable control and decision-support business intelligence for many organizations in adjusting to their competitive business environment. As a result, there is now a fairly stable body of knowledge about the design, development, and operation of data warehouses, which students will learn in this course. The course will also cover OLAP and data mining, which are the most commonly used techniques for generating business intelligence (knowledge) from data warehouses.
2
IS8034
Big Data Integration
Course: IS8034
Credit: 2
This course presents an overview of the principles of data integration, the fundamental basis for developing useful and flexible business intelligence platforms. Modern data integration needs differ from traditional approaches in four main dimensions that parallel differences between big data and traditional data: volume, velocity, variety, and veracity.
2
IS8070
Special Topics in IS
Course: IS8070
Credit: 1
This course is used to explore topics of current interest in the IS domain, that do not fall withinthe scope of any of the regularly scheduled courses. By the very nature of the course, specific topics covered will vary with each offering.
1
MKTG7012
Marketing Research for Managers
Course: MKTG7012
Credit: 4
Explores the role of marketing research in marketing management. Students do hands-on assignments to develop their understanding of methods for designing and implementing marketing research projects, including collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data pertinent to solving marketing problems. Developing experience in key aspects of marketing research is stressed.
4
OM7061
Managing Project Operations
Course: OM7061
Credit: 2
This course covers detailed issues related to managing product development and projects in organizations. The course covers, in two separate modules: -Concepts of project planning and organization, budgeting and control, and project life cycles and concepts related to organizational workflow including the staffing process, and project planning elements; related concepts of organizational forms, conflict resolution, and issues related to leadership and task management in a project environment. -Advanced concepts of project scheduling, including WBS, CPM, PERT, simulation, project budgeting, earned value analysis, project tracking and resource constrained scheduling. This includes setting up projects on Microsoft project and using the information for budgeting, resource management, tracking and ongoing communication and evaluation of projects.
2
OM7083
Supply Chain Strategy and Analysis
Course: OM7083
Credit: 2
Presents an overview of issues relating to the design and operation of an organization's supply chain. Information is presented as a mix of technical models and applied case studies. Topics may include inventory planning, logistics, sustainability, global operations, supply chain collaboration and contracting.
2
IS8036
Survey of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Course: IS8036
Credit: 2
This course is a survey of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) from the Data Scientist’s perspective. It explores ML and AI topics, current and emerging technologies, and applications for students to gain understanding of the successful implementation of ML and AI to address key business and industry problems.
2
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Business Foundation Courses

Students without a business undergrad degree may be required to take up to four of the following courses

Course Title / Description Credit
ACCT7000
Foundations in Accounting
Course: ACCT7000
Credit: 2
This course educates students in the fundamentals of finance and accounting. The methods covered are used extensively throughout the MBA program. Topics include: the accounting process that results in the preparation of financial statements for external users, techniques for analyzing a basic set of financial statements, using accounting information to support management decisions, and using time value of money techniques to evaluate capital asset decisions. (MS Accounting students cannot earn credit by taking this course.)
2
ECON7000
Foundations in Economics
Course: ECON7000
Credit: 2
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of economics at the graduate level for students without previous economics coursework. Students will be exposed to the essentials of both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics topics to be discussed include the supply and demand mechanism,how markets are affected by regulation and taxation, costs of production, and how market structure affects outcomes. Macroeconomic topics to be discussed include the fundamental measures of the aggregate economy, the sources of economic growth, explaining short-run fluctuations in economic activity, and how government policies can affect these fluctuations. A particular focus will be to understand how fundamental economic principles at both the micro and macro level can affect companies, investments, industries, and national economies.
2
FIN7000
Foundations in Finance
Course: FIN7000
Credit: 1
This course educates students in the fundamentals of Finance. A primary focus of the course is on using time value of money techniques to evaluate capital asset decisions.
1
MKTG7000
Marketing Foundations
Course: MKTG7000
Credit: 1
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a foundation in Marketing. Concepts such as segmentation, targeting, positioning, customer and market analysis, and basic marketing planning will be introduced.
1
OM7011
Management of Operations
Course: OM7011
Credit: 2
Introduces basic operations principles through case studies and explores major operations problems. Areas of concentration are decisions and activities involving product and process design, the use and control of resources, scheduling and quality management, supply chain management, and project management.
2
MGMT7000
Organizations
Course: MGMT7000
Credit: 2
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a foundation in the study of Organizations (Management) in preparation for the MBA or MS program. The goal is to provide students with an introduction to the study of organizations (strategy, structure, design, and context) to help students navigate through the advanced graduate course work and to become a more effective manager. This entails understanding how organizations work as well as developing requisite personal skills in problem analysis and writing.
2
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