Ling Li, Chair
Weiyong Zhang, Assistant Chair
Kelly Alvey, Chief Discipline Advisor
Business Analytics enables students to properly develop decision models and use computers to manipulate and analyze data in order to enhance decision making in a business environment. Students with a concentration in Business Analytics and Intelligence are typically employed in Business Analytics Departments. Students with Business Analytics concentrations in business functional areas are often employed in their functional area as analysts. A student who seeks a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a major in Business Analytics from Old Dominion University must, in addition to meeting other requirements of the University, earn a minimum of 25 percent of the total number of credits required for the degree (for example, 30 credits in a 120-credit degree program) through on- or off-campus instruction. This must include a minimum of 12 credit hours of upper-level courses specifically required for the major or concentration as shown on the course lists below.
Business Analytics and Intelligence Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| IT 201 | Introduction to Information Systems | 3 |
| or IT 360T | Principles of Information Technology | |
| IT 205 | Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming | 3 |
| IT 363 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| IT 410 | Business Intelligence | 3 |
| IT 450 | Database Concepts | 3 |
| BNAL 301 | Spreadsheet and Data Management Techniques for Decision Making | 3 |
| BNAL 406 | Advanced Spreadsheet-Based Data Analytics | 3 |
| BNAL 407 | Prescriptive Analytics of Management Science | 3 |
| BNAL 415 | Advanced Business Analytics/Big Data Applications | 3 |
| BNAL 432 | Predictive Analytics for Business | 3 |
| or BNAL 403 | Data Visualization and Exploration | |
| BNAL 476 | Simulation Modeling and Analysis for Business Systems | 3 |
| Choose one of the following international courses: | ||
| International and Advanced Accounting | ||
| International Economics | ||
| International Financial Management | ||
| Information Systems for International Business | ||
| International Business Operations | ||
| Comparative International Management | ||
| Management Seminar Abroad | ||
| Multi-National Marketing | ||
| International Shipping | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
| * | Business Analytics majors who take IT 363 will be exempt from taking IT 360T as a core course. |
All major courses except the international course are included when calculating the student’s grade point average in the major.
Business Analytics Concentrations in the Business Functional Areas
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BNAL 407 | Prescriptive Analytics of Management Science | 3 |
| BNAL 415 | Advanced Business Analytics/Big Data Applications | 3 |
| BNAL 476 | Simulation Modeling and Analysis for Business Systems | 3 |
Major Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| Spreadsheet and Data Management Techniques for Decision Making | ||
| Data Visualization and Exploration | ||
| Advanced Spreadsheet-Based Data Analytics | ||
| Predictive Analytics for Business | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following list (may not use the same course from both lists): | 3 | |
| Managerial Accounting | ||
| Spreadsheet and Data Management Techniques for Decision Making | ||
| Internship | ||
| Data Visualization and Exploration | ||
| Advanced Spreadsheet-Based Data Analytics | ||
| Predictive Analytics for Business | ||
| Supply Chain Management and Logistics | ||
| Research Methods in Economics | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Economics | ||
| Risk Analysis and Control | ||
| Investments | ||
| Global Business | ||
| Systems Analysis and Design | ||
| Compensation Management | ||
| Marketing Analytics | ||
| Strategic Sourcing and Purchasing Management | ||
Concentration Area Electives
Choose and complete nine credits of coursework from one of the following concentration areas:
Business Analytics in Accounting
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two approved 300-400 level ACCT courses | 6 | |
| Approved International Business Requirement | 3 | |
Select one from the following: | ||
| International and Advanced Accounting | ||
| International Economics | ||
| International Financial Management | ||
| Information Systems for International Business | ||
| International Business Operations | ||
| Comparative International Management | ||
| Management Seminar Abroad | ||
| Multi-National Marketing | ||
| International Shipping | ||
Business Analytics in Economics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two approved 300-400 level ECON courses | 6 | |
| ECON 450 | International Economics | 3 |
Business Analytics in Finance
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two approved 300-400 level FIN courses | 6 | |
| FIN 435 | International Financial Management | 3 |
Business Analytics in International Business
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 450 | International Economics | 3 |
| FIN 435 | International Financial Management | 3 |
| MKTG 411 | Multi-National Marketing | 3 |
Business Analytics in Information Technology*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two approved 400-level IT courses | 6 | |
| Approved International Business Requirement | 3 | |
Business Analytics in Management
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two approved 300-400 level MGMT courses | 6 | |
| MGMT 361 | International Business Operations | 3 |
| or MGMT 462 | Comparative International Management | |
Business Analytics in Marketing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One approved 300-400 level MKTG course | 3 | |
| MKTG 411 | Multi-National Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG 475 | Marketing Analytics | 3 |
Business Analytics in Maritime and Supply Chain Management
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two approved MSCM courses | 6 | |
| MSCM 370 | International Shipping | 3 |
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 200-400 Level Business Elective ** | 3 | |
| 300-400 Level Business Elective ** | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
| * | International Business Requirement for grade point calculation only. Note that only students who are also majoring in IT are permitted to use it as a functional area in the business analytics major. |
| ** | Can be any 200-400 or 300-400 level course offered by the Strome College of Business except ECON 200S, providing that the student has the appropriate prerequisites. |
Courses included in the calculation of the 2.00 grade point average for the major are: BNAL 407, BNAL 415, BNAL 476, and all courses taken from the major elective and concentration area elective listings.
Four-Year Plan - Business Analytics Major - BSBA
This is a suggested curriculum plan to complete this degree program in four years. Please consult information in this Catalog, Degree Works, and your academic advisor for more specific information on course requirements for this degree.
Business Analytics Minor
The minor in Business Analytics requires five courses (15 hours) comprised of:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BNAL 301 | Spreadsheet and Data Management Techniques for Decision Making | 3 |
| OPMT 303 | Operations Management | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Prescriptive Analytics of Management Science | ||
| Simulation Modeling and Analysis for Business Systems | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two of the following: | 6 | |
| Data Visualization and Exploration | ||
| Advanced Spreadsheet-Based Data Analytics | ||
| Prescriptive Analytics of Management Science | ||
| Advanced Business Analytics/Big Data Applications | ||
| Predictive Analytics for Business | ||
| Simulation Modeling and Analysis for Business Systems | ||
To receive a minor, the student must achieve a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all courses specified as a requirement for the minor exclusive of 200-level courses and prerequisite courses. At least two of the five courses must be completed through courses offered by Old Dominion University. Business majors who want to make themselves more marketable may choose a minor in Business Analytics by taking three additional courses.
BUSINESS ANALYTICS Courses
BNAL 206. Business Analytics I. 3 Credits.
An introduction to methods of business analytics. Topics are concentrated in descriptive analytics, which include descriptive statistics, normal and binomial distributions, decision making under uncertainty and under risk, decision analysis incorporating sample information, sampling distributions and Central Limit Theorem, interval estimation, and hypothesis testing. Business and economic applications are emphasized. Computer software, as a tool for problem solving, is utilized where appropriate. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MATH 162M or placement into a higher level math course.
BNAL 301. Spreadsheet and Data Management Techniques for Decision Making. 3 Credits.
Data management and analysis for business decision making. Topics include data validation, a variety of functions such as lookup, logical, math, text, and financial functions, pivot tables, data models, and Monte Carlo simulation. Emphasis is on preparing descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive information to enhance effectiveness of management’s decisions. Prerequisites: ACCT 201, BNAL 206, and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 306. Business Analytics II. 3 Credits.
Advanced descriptive and predictive analytics topics include advanced hypothesis testing, analysis of frequency data, correlation analysis, simple and multiple regression, and time series forecasting. Prescriptive analytics topics include linear programming formulation and managerial analysis, and distribution models. PERT/CPM models are also covered. Computer software is utilized throughout the course. Emphasis is on the interpretation of the various outcomes of the application of business analytics tools. Prerequisites: MATH 200, BNAL 206 and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 367. Cooperative Education. 1-3 Credits.
Approval for enrollment and allowable credits are determined by the department and Career Development Services in the semester prior to enrollment. Prerequisites: Junior standing and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 368. Internship. 1-3 Credits.
Approval for enrollment and allowable credits are determined by the department and Career Development Services in the semester prior to enrollment. (Qualifies as a CAP experience.) Prerequisites: BNAL 306 and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 369. Practicum. 1-3 Credits.
Approval for enrollment and allowable credits are determined by the department CAP adviser and the Career Development Services in the semester prior to enrollment. Student participation in a professional work experience. (Qualifies as a CAP experience.) Prerequisites: BNAL 206 and BNAL 306 and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 403/503. Data Visualization and Exploration. 3 Credits.
This course introduces students to concepts and processes, technologies, and methodologies that are commonly used in data visualization that an organization may use to enhance its descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive methods for making fact-based decisions. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in BNAL 306 or permission of the instructor.
BNAL 406. Advanced Spreadsheet-Based Data Analytics. 3 Credits.
This course introduces students to the use of advanced data modeling in spreadsheets and self-service business intelligence tools to analyze data and make business decisions in Excel. Power Pivot and the DAX language are used to extract meaningful information from large data sets. Power Query is introduced as an ETL tool, and the Power BI Desktop is used for visualization purposes. These topics are then applied to analyze problems in predictive analytics. Examples include advanced multiple regression and classification techniques in data mining. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BNAL 301, BNAL 306, and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 407/507. Prescriptive Analytics of Management Science. 3 Credits.
Students are introduced to prescriptive analytics through formulation and solution of mathematical models, with a particular focus on optimization models. The business use of the models, as well as their limitations, is emphasized. Topics include linear, integer, non-linear programming, network models, genetic algorithms, decision analysis, and project management models. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BNAL 306 and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office or the instructor.
BNAL 415/515. Advanced Business Analytics/Big Data Applications. 3 Credits.
This course addresses advanced business analytics techniques and the application of such techniques to large data sets. Some alternative business analytics strategies are introduced. Descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive models are included. Topics covered in this course include data visualization and exploration, cluster analysis, and developing and calibrating predictive models for big data. Applications of multivariate, logistic, and probit regression to business analytics are discussed. Software packages such as SAS/JMP/SPSS may be used. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BNAL 306 and a declared major in the University or permission from the Dean's Office.
BNAL 432/532. Predictive Analytics for Business. 3 Credits.
Predictive analytics techniques for business. Applications include both shorter term forecasting for sales and operations management as well as forecasting for long term planning. Emphasis is on statistical methods to obtain and evaluate forecasts. Statistical models are implemented using standard software such as MINITAB, EXCEL, R, and/or Python. Prerequisites: BNAL 306 and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 441. Supply Chain Management and Logistics. 3 Credits.
Supply chain management integrates all activities associated with the flow of materials and information from product start to customers. Examples include order processing, warehousing, inventory management, transportation and logistics, and the costs and information systems supporting these activities. Particular application is made to global logistics systems supporting port and maritime activities. Supply chain relationships can be improved through effective integration of management and via such technologies as the World Wide Web, electronic data exchange, and enterprise resource planning (ERP). (Cross-listed with MSCM 441.) Prerequisites: OPMT 303 and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 476/576. Simulation Modeling and Analysis for Business Systems. 3 Credits.
Simulation modeling is an integral part of the analytics revolution, enabling the creation of models that can represent the variability that exists in many real business systems. This course covers the theory and application of simulation modeling, with an emphasis on how simulation provides predictive and prescriptive analytics to support business decision-making. Topics include simulation fundamentals, the project life-cycle, model development, input and output analysis, verification and validation, and the presentation of a simulation study. We utilize a major commercial simulation software package for assignments and class projects. Prerequisites: OPMT 303 with a grade of C or better and BNAL 306 with a grade of C or better, senior standing and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 495. Topics in Business Analytics. 3 Credits.
Selected advanced topics in decision sciences. Taught on an occasional basis. See the course schedule for the particular topic being taught each semester. Prerequisites: Senior standing and a declared major in the University or permission of the Dean's Office.
BNAL 497. Independent Study. 1-3 Credits.
Affords students the opportunity to undertake independent study under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisites: Permission of department.