The MS degree in business analytics focuses on the exciting and fast-growing field of "big data." Merging developments in marketing and customer analytics with operations research, business analytics, aspects of computer science and statistical methods, the specialization offers a technical, quantitative and statistically intensive program designed to train specialists in turning "big data" into business decisions. Analytics may be used as input for human decisions or may drive fully automated decisions about why some data pattern is observed, what will happen next and how a firm can adapt to optimize that outcome. Students have an option to customize their curriculum by specializing in decision science, healthcare analytics, marketing analytics, research analytics or security analytics.

This 10-month program includes extensive coursework and an application of materials, preparing students for a range of job opportunities. In addition to the academic coursework, four enrichment seminars in topics ranging from teamwork and leadership to ethics and corporate social responsibility support our commitment to developing the "whole student" by incorporating professional development into the academic experience.

Distance Education Option via Online+

Students may enroll in the MS Business Analytics (BUAN) or MS Supply Chain Management (SCMN) degree program through distance education (online) and complete the degree requirements established for each MS program. Distance education offers regularly scheduled on-campus graduate courses to remote off-campus (distance) students using advanced virtual and video-conferencing technology. Distance students participate both synchronously (at a scheduled delivery time) and asynchronously (no scheduled delivery time). Instructors, courses, assignments, projects, exams and evaluations are identical for on-campus and off-campus students. Online+ courses are term-based (i.e., follow the regular academic schedule) and structured to maximize student engagement with faculty and other online+ students to support student success and degree completion.

Designed for working professionals, the online option allows students to enroll part-time and follows the same curriculum as the on-campus degree option. Please see degree requirements and plan(s) of study specific to Business Analytics or Supply Chain Management. Based on circumstance and timeline to completion, students enroll in one or two courses each semester, completing the degree in two years.

Note: Online sections for Marketing Analytics and Healthcare Analytics track electives are delivered regularly; online sections for Decision Sciences and Security Analytics tracks are not guaranteed. Online academic advisors can offer further guidance.

For more information, connect with the individual graduate program directly.

Requirements

Required Courses and Credits

Core Courses
MSBC 5070Survey of Business Analytics3
MSBX 5410Fundamentals of Data Analytics3
MSBX 5415Advanced Data Analytics3
MSBX 5405Structured Data Modeling and Analysis3
MSBC 5180Machine Learning in Python3
MSBX 5420Unstructured and Distributed Data Modeling and Analysis3
MSBC 51903
MSBC 5490BUAN Experiential Projects3
Electives
Students will enroll in three of the following track-specific electives. (See track sections below.)9
Total Credit Hours33

Experiential Projects

The experiential project pairs students with clients in industry to work on important practical problems in business analytics. Students work under the supervision of faculty and meet together weekly to discuss progress, jointly work on problems and to share experiences. This hands-on analytics project management experience prepares graduates to make an immediate meaningful contribution in the workplace.

For additional information, please visit Leeds School Graduate Programs or email us at leedsgrad@colorado.edu.

Tracks

The MS in Business Analytics offers tracks to develop analytic skills in specific disciplines: healthcare analytics, decision science, marketing analytics, research analytics and security analytics. Learn more below and on the Plan(s) of Study tab.

Decision Science Track

Decision Science Track Electives
MSBC 5680Optimization Modeling3
MBAX 6410Process Analytics3
MBAX 6843Supply Chain and Operations Analytics3

Healthcare Analytics Track

Healthcare Analytics Track Electives
NURS 6286Foundations of Healthcare Informatics (Fall)3
NURS 6289Information Systems Life Cycle (Spring)3
MSBX 5425Natural Language Processing for the Health Sciences3

Marketing Analytics Track

Marketing Analytics Track Electives
MBAX 6330Market Intelligence3
MSBX 5310Customer Analytics3
APRD 6342Digital Advertising3

Research Analytics Track

Research Analytics Track Electives
MSBX 5310Customer Analytics3
One theory and topics-focused course from the following doctoral seminars:
Doctoral Seminar: Psychological Approaches to Research in Marketing
Doctoral Seminar: Consumer and Managerial Decision Making in Marketing
Marketing Strategy
Seminar on Organizational Behavior
Doctoral Proseminar: Management
Technical Topics in Information Systems Research
Behavioral Topics in Information Systems Research
One methods or statistics course from the following doctoral seminars:
Multivariable Methods in Marketing Research
Quantitative Marketing Seminar 1
Design and Analysis of Experiments in Business
Research Design and Methods in Management
Doctoral Seminar: Empirical Models in Marketing

Security Analytics Track

Security Analytics Track Electives
CYBR 5010Fundamentals of Data Communication3
MSBX 5500Security Analytics with Python and Machine Learning3
MSBX 5480Information Security Management3
Alternate graduate coursework in CYBR may be approved for credit in place of MSBX classes

Plans of Study

The sample one-year plan of study found below is restricted to students who are not working professionals. Students who are working professionals may choose from two-, three- and four-year plans of study. For more information, contact the department.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Summer ReviewCredit Hours
(Summer B)  
MSBC 5070 Survey of Business Analytics 3
MSBX 5410 Fundamentals of Data Analytics 3
 Credit Hours6
Fall Semester
MSBX 5405 Structured Data Modeling and Analysis 3
MSBX 5415 Advanced Data Analytics 3
MSBC 5180 Machine Learning in Python 3
One track-specific elective 1 3
 Credit Hours12
Spring Semester
MSBC 5190 3
MSBC 5490 BUAN Experiential Projects 3
MSBX 5420 Unstructured and Distributed Data Modeling and Analysis 3
Two track-specific electives 1 6
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours33

Decision Science Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
MSBC 5680 Optimization Modeling 3
 Credit Hours3
Spring Semester
MBAX 6410 Process Analytics 3
MBAX 6843 Supply Chain and Operations Analytics 3
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours9


 

Healthcare Analytics Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
NURS 6286 Foundation of Healthcare Informatics 3
 Credit Hours3
Spring Semester
MSBX 5425 Natural Language Processing for the Health Sciences 3
NURS 6290 Information Systems Life Cycle 3
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours9

Security Analytics Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredit Hours
Alternate graduate coursework in CYBR may be approved for credit in place of MSBX classes  
 Credit Hours0
Fall Semester
CYBR 5010 Fundamentals of Data Communication 3
 Credit Hours3
Spring Semester
MSBX 5480 Information Security Management 3
MSBX 5500 Security Analytics with Python and Machine Learning 3
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours9