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BUSI4R115: Data Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Tied
Level 4
Credits 15
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Management and Marketing

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide an appreciation of predictive and prescriptive business-analytics techniques.
  • To provide knowledge of, and ability to apply, a range of predictive and prescriptive business-analytics techniques.
  • To implement predictive and prescriptive business-analytics models using appropriate software.
  • To show how business analytics can help companies to make better decisions.
  • To provide knowledge of, and ability to apply, storytelling with data to promote data-driven decision-making.

Content

  • Predictive techniques such as simulation, queueing models, and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA).
  • Prescriptive techniques such as decision analysis and linear optimisation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • By the end of the module students should:
  • Have in-depth knowledge of a range of predictive and prescriptive business-analytics techniques and be able to apply them critically to management problems.
  • Have an understanding of the applicability and limitations of predictive and prescriptive business-analytics techniques;

Subject-specific Skills:

  • By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • Implement predictive and prescriptive business-analytics models using appropriate software packages;
  • Interpret the results of predictive and prescriptive business analytics models and their relevance for companies;
  • Choose appropriate business-analytics techniques for some key management problems.

Key Skills:

  • Effective written communication skills
  • Oral presentation
  • Planning, organising and time-management skills
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • Sourcing appropriate data and evaluating evidence
  • Interpreting and using data
  • Selecting appropriate modes of communication
  • Making effective use of communication and information technology
  • Storytelling with data
  • Group work

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • This module will be delivered jointly by the Department of Computer Science and the Business School
  • Learning outcomes are met through lectures and computer workshops, supported by online resources. Online resources provide preparatory material for the lectures and computer workshops - typically consisting of directed reading and video content.
  • The formative assessment consists of classroom-based exercises involving individual and group analyses and presentations on specific business situations/problems relevant to the learning outcomes of the module.
  • The summative assessments are an individual video presentation and an individual business analytics project. Both assessments are designed to test the ability to formulate a problem, apply appropriate business-analytics techniques to analyse it, and critically interpret the results obtained.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures101 a week2 hours20Yes
Computer Workshops (max 30 students)41 every two weeks1 hour4Yes
Preparation and reading126 
Total150 

Summative Assessment

Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Individual Written Assignment1500 words maximum50 
Individual Video Presentation5 minutes50 

Formative Assessment

The formative assessment consists of classroom-based exercises conducted during the computer workshops involving individual and group analyses and presentations on specific business situations/problems relevant to the learning outcomes of the module. Oral and written feedback will be given on a group and/or individual basis as appropriate.

More information

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