Introduction to Business Analytics

Catalog description

This course introduces students to using the computer as a business-modeling tool. The overarching goal is to teach students to use computers to analyze models and interpret data for integrated decision-making across multiple domains, including finance, marketing, accounting, strategy and operations. The course material consists of four modules. The first module concerns data modeling and builds on INFO 1010 by reviewing data modeling in Excel. The second module focuses on deterministic modeling, including decision-making under certainty, and the use of optimization models such as linear programming. This module also covers topics such as portfolio optimization, transportation and assignment, and introduces students to the concepts of problem formulation and sensitivity analysis. The third module focuses on spreadsheet automation, including concepts for programming in Excel. The fourth module covers probabilistic modeling. This module uses simulation and decision analysis principles in uncertain environments. In addition, students will learn to choose the appropriate probability distribution for a given problem.