BUSMBA 726 : Analytics for Business Decisions

Business and Economics

2025 Quarter Two (1254) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Develops a critical understanding of data science techniques. Students will be able to independently evaluate and identify sources of data, make high-level data-driven decisions, communicate specialised insights, and contribute to solving real-world problems.

Course Overview

In today’s data-driven business environment, the ability to analyze and interpret data is crucial for effective decision-making. This course equips students with statistical and analytical tools to solve business problems. Using Microsoft Excel, students will explore key concepts in descriptive statistics, probability, hypothesis testing, and predictive modeling. The course emphasizes hands-on learning through simulations, case studies, and real-world business applications. By the end of the course, students will be able to assess data quality, perform statistical analyses, and make informed strategic decisions.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and explain business analytics concepts and techniques (Capability 3, 6.1, 7 and 8)
  2. Critically evaluate data and analytical models (Capability 3 and 4)
  3. Applying analytical methods to solve business problems (Capability 3 and 5)
  4. Articulate analytical findings to stakeholders (Capability 6.1, 6.2 and 7)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 60% Individual Coursework
Test 40% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignments
Test

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 10 hours of work on learning and participating in discussion boards on Canvas, working on assignments, and test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Online

Attendance is required at scheduled online activities to complete components of the course.
The course will include live online events including lectures and these will NOT be recorded.
Attendance on campus is not required for the test.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.
This course runs to the University quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Textbook: Albright, S. C., & Winston, W. L. (2020). Business Analytics: Data Analysis and Decision Making
Software: MS Excel (latest version with Analysis ToolPak)
Additional readings and case studies provided through Canvas

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

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Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 10/04/2025 06:43 p.m.