Business Analytics: Data, Models and Decisions

Advances in information technology and quantitative methods have dramatically changed how modern firms operate. Many strategic and operational decisions are today based on models from operation management and management science.

The objective of this course is to introduce the most important of these techniques and show how they can be used to make better decisions. Theory will be motivated by relevant examples with applications in operations, finance, management and marketing. Applications will be done using a common spreadsheet software (excel). The course does not require a quantitative educational background.

The course will primarily be taught through lectures, computer labs and case discussions. Students will analyse cases and practice using data to make better and more informed decisions. The course will also highlight potential disadvantages and limitations of quantitative decision methods.

The course will cover techniques such as decision analysis, decision trees, probability, statistics, econometrics, simulation, linear programming, non- linear optimization, and discrete optimization.



Teaching Format

The course consists of a combination of lectures, seminars and group work and requires a significant portion of self-study on the part of students. Assessment for the course will be continuous and is carried throughout the different activities of the course.

The course workload is 200 hours equivalent to 7,5 ECTS.
The language of instruction is English.


Assessment

Assessment for the course will be continuous and is carried throughout the different course activities. Each assessment task is weighted in relation to its importance in the overall assessment of the course. The student’s results from the different assessment tasks are added up to a total course score that will then translate into the final grade for the course.

Assessment tasks
The course contains the following weighted assessment tasks:
1. Individually written exam.
2. Seminars.

After completion of the course, students will receive grades on a scale related to the intended learning outcomes of the course. Passing grades are A, B, C, D and E. Failing grades is F.


The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.


Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.

See reading list in the current syllabus. 

Course reports are displayed for the three most recent course instances.








Course coordinator: coursecoordinator@sbs.su.se
Head of course: Olov Isaksson

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