Groupe Ecole Suprieure de Commerce de PAU (ESC PAU)

Syllabus
Business Analytics -- MBA Programme
Instructor: Professor Jen-Chi Cheng
Contact:

jenchi.cheng@wichita.edu

Suggested/Optional Books for Reference:

Analytics at Work: Smarter Decisions, Better Results, Thomas H. Davenport, Jeanne G. Harris, and Robert
Morison (2010). Harvard Business Press Books.
Business Analytics: Methods, Models, and Decisions, James R. Evans (2012). Prentice Hall.
Competing on Analytics: The New Science of Winning, Thomas H. Davenport and Jeanne G. Harris (2007).
Harvard Business Press Books.
Forecasting for Economics and Business, Gloria Gonzalez-Rivera (2013). Pearson Education, Inc.
Optional Software:
Microsoft Excel
EViews 7.0 for Windows. The software can be purchased from Quantitative Micro Software ($39.95 Student
Version). The website is: www.eviews.com. Older versions could be found free on various websites.
Course Description:
This course studies the basic concepts and tools needed to understand the emerging role of business analytics in
organizations. It begins with an introduction to the domains of business analytics and their success factors.
Special attention is given to the management and safety of big data in the digital age. The last part of the
course involves discussions on the use of simple statistical models, forecasting techniques, and commercial
analytic models that drive organizational decisions and actions. Throughout the lectures, the course also
highlights critical thinking skills as business analytics is more than just quant and factstudents have to be
able to identify problems and opportunities in the increasingly analytical business world.
Learning Objective:
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to:
1. Identify the needs and procedures of business analytics in organizational settings;
2. Find application opportunities for business analytics in a real-world case scenario;
3. Be familiar with data availability, constraints and safety issues;
4. Understand the appropriate business analytical methods to apply in particular situations;
5. Draw appropriate conclusions from data analyses;
6. Evaluate the methodology, validity, and effectiveness of other research studies.

Attendance:
1

Class attendance is required. Unless you have some prior training in this area you will be hard pressed to do
well in the course without regular attendance, as well spend a lot of class time discussing cases and actual
techniques. Especially, class time is an opportunity for you to clarify issues and resolve problems.
Exam and Grading:
Your final grade will be weighted as follows:
Class Participation
Final Exam

20%
80%

Class Participation: 20% of your grade will be based upon your participation and engagement in the
classroom. Class discussion enhances critical thinking and adds value to the class experience. You are
expected to be in class on time and to attend all class sessions, unless excused. Review the assigned power
point slides before each class and be prepared to discuss the information in class. Class participation grades
will be based upon my overall assessment of how well you are prepared to respond to my questions and the
extent and quality of voluntary participation in class. If you miss any class time I will deduct points from you
class participation score accordingly.
Final Exam: 80% of your grade will be based upon a final exam. Exam will be based on the lecture material
and is a test on how well you can apply the information learned throughout the course. Exam format will be a
mix of essay and short answer. This will be a closed-book exam.
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty by students will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. At a minimum, significant
points will be deducted from the course grade, and depending upon the nature of the action. Examples of
academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, (a) plagiarism, which is using excerpts from articles, books,
and other sources without proper quotations and attribution; and (b) using notes or looking at another students
paper during a test.

Grading Scale
Marks
Range

80%
80-100
points
70 to
79%

Description
Distinction +
Outstanding
performance

Exceptional work. Understanding and

knowledge of material beyond that stipulated
in learning outcomes, demonstrating rigorous
application, originality, and insight.

Distinction:
Excellent
performance

A high degree of analytical ability, originality,

and insight using a wide range of sources. An
unusually high level of comprehension of
academic content, and shows clear evidence of
appreciating professional/theoretical
applications.
Identification of key issues. Demonstration of
a good grasp of relevant concepts. Ability to
argue logically and organize a good answer,
with evidence of relevant reading. Ability to
write well. Good powers of critical thought,
with useful examples to illustrate points and
justify arguments. No significant weaknesses
in competence of the subject.
Identification of key issues and ability to
argue logically and organize an answer.
Demonstrates adequate knowledge of material
in basic readings, but limited evidence of
critical thought or wider reading in, or
appreciation of, the subject. Some
deficiencies in knowledge and understanding.
Failure to demonstrate ability to meet criteria
adequately. Some inaccuracies and irrelevant
issues. Partial knowledge and understanding
of key concepts and ideas. Poor
comprehension of basic facts and principles.
Failure to demonstrate evidence in designated
learning outcomes.
Total failure to demonstrate an ability to meet
criteria. Totally or largely irrelevant. Little
knowledge and demonstrates a poor
understanding of the subject. Unsatisfactory
performance in designated learning outcomes.
No evidence of original thought.

70-79
points
60 to
69%

Merit: Very good

performance

60 to
69
points
50 to
59%

Pass: Reasonable
performance

50 to
59
points
40 to
49%

Condonable Fail

40 to
49
points

40%
Below
40
points

Marking Criteria

Fail

Course Outline:
The course outline could be changed as circumstances dictate. Any changes will be announced in class.
Students who miss a class are responsible to obtaining this information, as well as class handouts and other
materials.
3

Part 1 Introduction to Business Analytics

1. Business Analytics and Business Intelligence
2. Domains for Business AnalyticsInternal vs. External
3. Case Study: Internal Analytics in Financial, Manufacturing, R&D, and Human Resources
4. Cases Study: External Analytics for Customer and Supplier Analysis
5. Qualifications and Prospects for Analytical Professionals
Part 2 Data Management in a Digital Age
1. Sources and Quality of DataPrimary vs. Secondary
2. Private vs. Public Data
3. Market of Big Data and Online Technology
4. Case Study: New Applications and Mistakes in Using Big Data
5. Data Privacy and Safety: Case Study on China
Part 3 Analytics Tools and Techniques
1. Descriptive Analytics and Statistical Inference
2. Correlation, Regression and Causal Analysis: Case Study on International Parity
3. Forecasting and Predictive Models
4. Univariate Forecast: Trend, Moving Average, Exponential Smoothing and ARIMA
5. Multivariate Regression
6. Large Scale Analytical Models: Fair Model and REMI Model
COURSE SCHEDULE

Class Day

Topics

Suggested Readings
& Video Clips

Tuesday
April 2
9:00 12:00

Part 1
1. Business Analytics
and Business
Intelligence
2. Domains for
Business Analytics
Internal vs. External
3. Case Study: Internal
Analytics in Financial,
Manufacturing, R&D,
and Human Resources

Video:
http://www.guruonline.tv/art
esian/flexible-approachesto-implementing-tobusinessanalytics/5518/developbusiness-analytics-usingagile
Analytics at Work: Smarter
Decisions, Better Results
Business Analytics:
Methods, Models, and
Decisions
Competing on Analytics:
The New Science of Winning

Tuesday
April 2
13:30 15:30

Wednesday

Part 1
4. Cases Study:
External Analytics for
Customer and Supplier
Analysis
5. Qualifications and
Prospects for
Analytical
Professionals
Part 2
4

Analytics at Work: Smarter

Decisions, Better Results
Competing on Analytics:
The New Science of Winning

April 3
9:00 12:00

Wednesday
April 3
13:30 15:30

Thursday
April 4
9:00 12:00

Thursday
April 4
13:30 15:30

1. Sources and Quality

of Data
2. Private vs. Public
Data
3. Market of Big Data
and Online Technology

Part 2
4. Case Study: New
Applications and
Mistakes in Using Big
Data
5. Data Privacy and
Safety
Part 3
1. Descriptive
Analytics and
Statistical Inference
2. Correlation,
Regression and Causal
Analysis
3. Forecasting and
Predictive Models
4. Univariate Forecast
Part 3
5. Multivariate
Regression
6. Fair Model and
REMI Model

Articles: Big Data 1 to 9

(reserved)
Video:
http://www.google.com/searc
h?
q=Using+Social+Media+a
nd+Online+Editorial+Sour
ces+for+Competitive+Intell
igence&rlz=1I7DNUS_en&i
e=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&sourceid=ie7
Articles: Big Data 1 to 9
(reserved)
Articles: Data Safety 1 to 4
(reserved)
Leading Indicators:
http://www.conferenceboard.org/topics/subtopics.c
fm?subtopicid=200
Business Analytics:
Methods, Models, and
Decisions
Forecasting for Economics
and Business
Articles: Large Scale 1 to 2
(reserved)
Business Analytics:
Methods, Models, and
Decisions
Forecasting for Economics
and Business