Business Intelligence & Analytics Major

Business Intelligence and Analytics (BIA) majors acquire general business skills plus knowledge and experience in the theory of decision making, process analysis, database management, decision support systems, data visualization, data mining, statistical analysis, business analytics, competitive intelligence, knowledge management, business intelligence, supply chain, operations management, and enterprise security. Technology employed in the DSS curriculum changes to ensure that we stay on the leading edge, and includes Microsoft Office, Oracle, SAP, Python, R, JMP, Minitab, Tableau, Alteryx, and Power BI.

The area of Business Intelligence and Analytics is critical to helping students understand data. You'll learn to use the information to guide organizations in making strategic business decisions. Advances in technology have helped organizations collect a vast amount of data ranging from customer preferences to trends in sales. 

The Department of Decision and System Sciences is dedicated to equipping students with the relevant skills to succeed in a technology-driven, data-intensive world.   The BIA Programs focus on technology-related activities that:

• enhance technology use,
• data transformation, and
• analytics-based decision making.

Graduates go on to work in any discipline where strong technology, analytics and business intelligence skills are needed. We strive to create ethical, socially aware, technology-savvy leaders and problem solvers who contribute to a wide array of professions and professional environments. We provide industry-focused programs that prepare students to transform data into actionable knowledge to drive decision-making. Students are discerning in their use of information and are critical thinkers and effective communicators of meaningful analysis.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to prepare data of any size for data mining analytics.

Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate the use of data mining models that can identify hidden patterns and rules.

Outcome 3: Students will be able to identify and minimize biases in data collection, and correctly interpret BI&A results.

Outcome 4: Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in composing and delivering oral presentations to the target audience. 

Outcome 5: Students will be able to weigh the ethics and the impact on society when confronted with a business decision making situation.

The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas¹:

1. Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
2. Ethics Intensive
3. Writing Intensive, and
4. Diversity

¹

Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements

General Education Signature Courses

See this page about Signature courses. 

General Education Variable Courses

See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses

General Education Overlays

See this page about Overlays.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

Business Foundation 

Ten courses, including:

¹

Accounting Majors can choose between ACC 423 and BUS BUS 495

Major Requirements 

Six courses (note that students may take one elective from outside the DSS department, the second elective must be a DSS course)