Completion of the four courses listed below with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and no less than a C. Each course will be given over a 8-week period. The courses can be taken in any order; except, the Business Analytics Simulation course must be taken as the last course. This allows students 1) to begin the certificate in either the Fall or Spring Semester and it allows students 2) to complete the certificate in less than one calendar year.

Courses

Business Analytics

This course introduces the fundamental tools that drive analytic decision making in today’s business environment. Covers the principles of probability theory, decision trees, and optimization. Techniques are applied to realistic business situations from a cross-section of industries. Learning is further augmented through the use of computer software and several in-depth case studies.

Business Research

This course introduces participants to 21 ^st Century business research methodology. The emphasis here is not on issues related to ongoing data sources but rather to unique, one-time problems that are best solved with custom research projects. Quantitative methods are emphasized but the advantages of the qualitative perspective are not overlooked. Other topics include questionnaire design, data collection, analysis, and presentation, highlighting appropriate new technology. The aim is to prepare managers to conduct research as well as to enable them to engage collaboratively with their research consultants.

Data Mining

This course surveys a range of state-of-the-art data mining techniques. Topics include data exploration and visualization, classification trees, support vector machines, clustering, association rules, and anomaly detection. The focus of the course is on developing the intuition behind the algorithms and hands-on learning with actual data sets. Students will learn and use industrial strength data mining software.

Business Analytics Simulation

This is an engaging and complex simulation in which participants attempt to transform data, ultimately, into sound tactical and strategic decisions. The setting in which the decisions are made involves five distinct segments of personal computer users. Participants make tactical and strategic decisions based on consumer, competitor, aggregate market, financial, and production function data. Decision are also made and success is gauged by monitoring a dashboard that includes measures such as manufacturing productivity, return on investment, asset productivity, investment in the future, market share, product and advertising design quality, financial risk, and financial performance. The interlocking measures challenge participants in a contest of optimization.

Total number of units
12 units

GPA needed to receive the certificate
3.00

Number of units applicable to a degree and/or Major depending upon matriculation status (with the caveat that the units may not be uniformly applied but require advisor consent)
Up to 12 units only after student has been admitted to a graduate program meeting requirements including meeting minimum GMAT score, TOEFL score, etc.