Business Analytics

Organizations of all types increasingly rely on data and analytics to inform their decision-making processes. To this end, both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations must have the ability to transform data into information. Business analytics is the scientific process of transforming data or quantitative models into actionable insight to improve decision-making. Business analytics rests on three broad functional pillars: descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics.

• Descriptive analytics prepares, displays and analyzes historical data; it identifies data patterns to report trends.

• Predictive analytics forecasts future probabilities and trends, and determines relationships in data that may not be readily apparent with descriptive analysis.

• Prescriptive analytics evaluates and determines new ways to operate based upon meeting certain objectives while balancing operational constraints.

This modeling and analysis cannot be done in isolation. Across the curriculum, we will address and investigate the ethical implications of both the intended and unintended use of our analysis. The business analytics major allows students with an interest in quantitative analysis (broadly defined) to further explore their interests in an organizational context, to appreciate the inherent broad social and ethical issues within the field, and to become effective managers in any data-driven organization. The major provides our graduates the necessary analytical and communication skills built upon a broad management education to address challenges in the 21st century.

Business analytics majors are also eligible to pursue a BA in Data Science as a co-major. Complementing the depth a student receives from their business analytics major, the BA in data science provides breadth across the interdisciplinary field of data science. The co-major is not intended as – nor may it be declared as – a stand-alone course of study. 

In the spring of their sophomore year, all BSBA students will, in consultation with their advisers, select a major in one of the Freeman College of Management departments and will complete the specific major requirements in addition to the Freeman College core curriculum requirements.

Business Analytics Requirements

Beyond completion of the Freeman College core requirements, all business analytics majors must take the following courses:

Business Analytics Core Requirements

Business Analytics Major Requirements

Culminating Experience 

All BSBA majors must satisfy the Culminating Experience component of the Freeman College of Management General Education Curriculum by taking a course designated as such on campus no earlier than the second semester of the junior year. Business analytics majors will fulfill this by taking ANOP 400 Business Analytics Practicum.

Analytics & Operations Management Suggested Plan of Study

Below is a general guide for when to take the courses that count toward the Freeman College Core and your major requirements. Suggested term(s) of study are denoted in parenthesis. These are just a general guide. Other sequences are possible. Consult the Bucknell course schedule for course availability in each semester. Refer to your catalog year for specific information about your major and related prerequisites.

#

Lab science should be taken before the end of the sophomore year. Strongly recommend lab science not be taken in the semester in which you are enrolled in MGMT 101. 

w

Satisfies W2 requirement.

p

Consult the catalog for the prerequisite required for this course.

CE

Qualifies for the culminating experience if taken spring of junior year or either semester of senior year.

Data Science Co-major

​Students pursuing a BSBA in business analytics are eligible to pursue a BA in Data Science as a co-major. Complementing the depth a student receives from their business analytics major, the BA in data science provides breadth across the interdisciplinary field of data science. The co-major is not intended as – nor can it be declared as – a stand-alone course of study. 

Business Analytics Minor

The business analytics minor provides students with the opportunity to complement their major field of study with a foundation in descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics.

The business analytics minor consists of three required courses and two electives for a total of five courses, as follows¹:

¹

Other ANOP courses (excluding ANOP 202 and ANOP 301) may be considered with approval by the ANOP department chair.

Drawing upon their professional and liberal education, Freeman College of Management students will be able to collaboratively create positive societal impacts through:

Analysis

• Students will demonstrate the ability to understand organizations and analyze them rigorously.

Integrity

• Students will possess the judgment, vision and integrity necessary to serve society and their professions.

Morality

• Students will identify creative and morally responsible solutions to organizational and societal issues.
   

Beyond the learning goals of the Freeman College Core Curriculum, Business Analytics majors will:

1. Understand and critically apply the concepts and methods of the discipline to support predictions and decisions in real-world situations. 

2. Foster the ability to bridge the gap between technical teams and stakeholders by working effectively as a member or leader of an interdisciplinary team and communicate the outcomes to the relevant decision makers.

3. Learn how to evaluate and quantify uncertainty and risk, incorporating their inherent influence on both the decision process and the outcomes.

4. Commit to ethical decision-making and the long-run welfare of both organizations and the communities they serve.

5. Develop an appreciation and dedication for personal continuous improvement, leading to a long-lasting and relevant knowledge base and skill set.

Faculty

Professors: Matthew D. Bailey (Chair), Mihai Banciu (Associate Dean of Faculty for the Freeman College of Management)

Associate Professors: Jimmy Chen, Alia C. Stanciu, Joseph Wilck (Practice)

Assistant Professors: Joyaditya Laik, James Paine

Visiting Assistant Professor: Yao Chen