The digital revolution empowered by the internet and computer technology in business and individual life during the last several decades has generated unimaginable amounts of data in the form of digital records stored in databases and file servers. The volume, velocity, and variety of these data have produced a new set of problems and challenges for businesses and organizations in their pursuit of competitiveness, effectiveness, and efficiency. These problems and challenges also have created unprecedented opportunities for businesses and organizations to discover, model, understand, and serve their customers and partners in ways never imagined and to supply details never possible before. Businesses and organizations that are able to master this volume of data will have a tremendous competitive advantage over their competition in the marketplace.
As the need for business analytics grows, demand for professionals who understand and are capable of working with and exploring this data has exploded in recent years. This program addresses the growing need to manage and analyze the rapidly increasing amount of data that is available to support business decision making.
Students in the part-time program may take courses in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and online.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will exhibit knowledge and skills relevant to data and its applications in business. They will demonstrate competence in the subareas of:
- descriptive analytics;
- predictive analytics; and
- prescriptive analytics.
Graduates will create and communicate solutions to data-related business problems that impact their organizations and communities. They will:
- approach, address, and solve a loosely defined business problem requiring the use, exploration, and analysis of data; and
- communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual forms.
Graduates will understand and explore ethical and privacy issues related to the use of data in the modern world. They will:
- contemplate ethical and privacy issues arising in their own work; and
- express a working knowledge of the major ethical and privacy issues facing the business-analytics profession, supported with examples from current events.
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to be effective team members in a diverse and complex world. They will:
- engage in effective team processes; and
- lead and support others to achieve collective goals.
The part-time Master of Science program in business analytics requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit. A maximum of 6 s.h. of transfer credit may be accepted with approval from the program. Students who wish to include the 15 s.h. earned from the Certificate in Business Analytics toward the M.S. degree may do so as long as their coursework is not more than 10 years old from the date of the M.S. degree conferral. A major and cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.75 is required in all coursework.
The M.S. with a major in business analytics requires the following coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 15 | |
| Experience Course/Project | 3 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Some of these courses have prerequisites; students must complete all of a course's prerequisites before they may register for that course.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| BAIS:6040 | Data Programming in Python | 3 |
| BAIS:6060 | Data Programming in R | 3 |
| All of these: | ||
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management and Visual Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6070 | Data Science | 3 |
| BAIS:9100 | Data and Decisions | 3 |
| or MBA:8150 | Data and Decisions | |
| BAIS:9110 | Advanced Analytics | 3 |
Experience Course/Project
The experience course consists of a group project that solves a semester-long business problem. Students should take this course after they have completed the core courses and one elective course.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| BAIS:6120 | Analytics Experience | 3 |
Electives
Elective coursework allows students to deepen or broaden their skills.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12 s.h. from these: | ||
| BAIS:6040 | Data Programming in Python (if not taken as a core course) | 3 |
| BAIS:6060 | Data Programming in R (if not taken as a core course) | 3 |
| BAIS:6100 | Text Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6105 | Social Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6110 | Big Data Management and Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6130 | Applied Optimization | 3 |
| BAIS:6140 | Information Visualization | 3 |
| BAIS:6150 | Financial Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6180 | Healthcare Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6190 | Forecasting | 3 |
| BAIS:6210 | Data Leadership and Management | 3 |
| BAIS:6230 | People Analytics | 3 |
| BAIS:6280 | Cybersecurity | 3 |
| BAIS:9010 | Contemporary Topics in Analytics | 1-3 |
| BAIS:9130 | Lean Process Improvement | 3 |
| BAIS:9140 | Agile Project Management | 3 |
| BAIS:9160 | Supply Chain Analytics | 3 |
| MKTG:9165 | Digital Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| 6 s.h. of the total 12 s.h. in electives may be taken from these: | ||
| BAIS:9300 | Innovations in Technology | 3 |
| ACCT:9020 | Strategic Cost Analysis | 3 |
| ACCT:9040 | Financial Statement Analysis and Forecasting | 3 |
| ENTR:9100 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| ENTR:9200 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 3 |
| ENTR:9450 | Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation | 3 |
| ENTR:9500 | Managing the Growth Business | 3 |
| ENTR:9700 | Entrepreneurship: Business Consulting | 3 |
| FIN:9140 | Enterprise Risk Management | 3 |
| FIN:9150 | Financial Modeling and Firm Valuation | 3 |
| FIN:9200 | Portfolio Management | 3 |
| FIN:9230 | Real Estate Finance and Investments | 3 |
| FIN:9240 | International Finance | 3 |
| FIN:9300 | Corporate Investment and Financing Decisions | 3 |
| FIN:9310 | Corporate Financial Strategy | 3 |
| FIN:9350 | Wealth Management | 3 |
| MBA:8110 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| MBA:8120 | Management in Organizations | 3 |
| MBA:8130 | Business Communication | 3 |
| MBA:8140 | Corporate Financial Reporting | 3 |
| MBA:8160 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| MBA:8180 | Managerial Finance | 3 |
| MBA:8240 | Operations and Supply Chain | 3 |
| MBA:8300 | Foundations in Strategy | 3 |
| MBA:8500 | Seminar in International Business | 3 |
| MGMT:9090 | Influence and Constructive Persuasion | 3 |
| MGMT:9091 | Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability | 3 |
| MGMT:9092 | Effective Managerial Communication | 3 |
| MGMT:9110 | Dynamics of Negotiations | 3 |
| MGMT:9120 | Leadership and Personal Development | 3 |
| MGMT:9130 | Strategic Management of Change | 3 |
| MGMT:9185 | Project Management | 3 |
| MGMT:9210 | Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MGMT:9220 | Maximizing Team Performance | 3 |
| MGMT:9230 | Managing and Preventing Conflict | 3 |
| MGMT:9240 | Inclusive Leadership | 3 |
| MGMT:9250 | Managing Employee Performance | 3 |
| MGMT:9260 | Strategic Employee Development | 3 |
| MGMT:9270 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGMT:9290 | Global Business Management | 3 |
| MKTG:9015 | Social Media Marketing for Business | 3 |
| MKTG:9120 | Customer Relationship Management | 3 |
| MKTG:9150 | Brand Management | 3 |
| MKTG:9155 | Digital Marketing Insights, Strategies, and Applications | 3 |
| MKTG:9170 | Business to Business Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG:9190 | International Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG:9300 | Applied Marketing Research | 3 |
| MKTG:9320 | Strategic Brand Positioning | 3 |
| MKTG:9330 | Product and Pricing Management | 3 |
| MKTG:9340 | Customer Analysis | 3 |
| MKTG:9350 | Marketing Communication and Promotions | 3 |
| MKTG:9360 | Category Management | 3 |
M.S./M.B.A. (Professional Program)
The combined Master of Science in business analytics (professional subprogram)/Professional Master of Business Administration Program allows students to pursue two degrees simultaneously, earning both more quickly than they would if the degrees were pursued separately. The Department of Business Analytics collaborates with the Master of Business Administration Program to offer combined M.S./M.B.A. degrees.
Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program. For information about the M.B.A., see the M.B.A. Professional Program in the Master of Business Administration section of the Catalog.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College and the Master of Science in business analytics (professional subprogram); see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website and the part-time Master of Science in business analytics (professional subprogram) admission guidelines on the Tippie College of Business website.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Business Analytics (professional), M.S.
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 30 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MBA:8150 or BAIS:9100 |
Data and Decisions c or Data and Decisions |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| BAIS:6040 or BAIS:6060 |
Data Programming in Python c or Data Programming in R |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective course d, e | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BAIS:6050 | Data Management and Visual Analytics c | 3 |
| Elective course d, e | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| BAIS:9110 | Advanced Analytics c | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective course d, e | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BAIS:6070 | Data Science c | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| BAIS:6120 | Analytics Experience f | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective course d, e | 3 | |
| Final Exam g | ||
| Complete Degree Application in MyUI h | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- a
- Analytics courses are offered in an 11-week format in fall, spring and summer. Students may take up to 6 s.h. of business electives through the Professional MBA Program, including some courses which are offered in shorter formats. Consult with your advisor and/or the schedule for more details.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- Core courses are not offered in person every semester, but additional online options may be available. Consult with your advisor and/or the schedule for more details.
- d
- See the General Catalog for a list of approved courses.
- e
- Elective options are generally offered in person and online each session but selection and the number of electives offered varies. Consult with your advisor and/or the schedule for more details.
- f
- Consists of a group project that solves a semester-long business problem. Students should take BAIS:6120 after they have completed the core courses and at least one elective course.
- g
- Successful completion of all degree requirements.
- h
- See Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar website for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor.