Technology & Innovation - Business Analytics

Overview
Business Analytics provides a set of analytical methods for solving problems and aiding decision-making, particularly in the context of large quantities of data. It involves the development and application of models and concepts to explore management issues and solve managerial problems. It includes Data Science, Management Science and Operational Research. Many different organisations use the principles and practice of Analytics. Our MSc in Business Analytics is currently ranked 27th in the QS Masters in Business Analytics Global Ranking.

Available in one-year full-time and two-year part-time formats, this programme is suitable for graduates from technical disciplines such as Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics with a talent for and interest in finding mathematical or computer solutions to business problems. It is also suitable for business graduates who have studied Management Information Systems (MIS) subjects. The student profile also includes people with practical experience, who often use the programme to re-direct their career.

The mix of full and part-time students from different backgrounds, working together on projects, makes the interaction between students an important and worthwhile part of the learning experience. Students considering the part-time option should be aware that it requires class attendance and some group work during the working day, so employer support is essential to undertake the part-time option.

What will I learn?
This technically-oriented course hones quantitative and computer techniques to assist students in exploring management issues and supporting decision-making within a business context.

1. Exposure to and practice of the latest cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques used in the fast-growing field of analytics as applied in business

2. Development of the necessary computer software skills and an understanding of the theory and practice of applied information systems, as required in consultancy and business

3. The ability to develop new software solutions and implement mathematical and quantitative techniques in order to make effective business decisions and boost performance

How will I benefit?
Students will not only be provided with vital business analysis tools but also given the chance to apply them by engaging with leading companies over the duration of the course, raising their employability in the eyes of recruiters.

1. Access to current research into all aspects of analytics, data science, decision-making and management science, including Descriptive/Predictive/Prescriptive analytics, Project Management, Simulation, Multi-criteria Decision Making and Spatial Decision Support Systems.

2. A thorough grounding in a science employed within a wide range of organisations and industries, including banks, management consultancies, the public sector and the engineering industry.

3. Successful completion of the course has seen many graduates go on to work for such companies as Accenture, Goldman Sachs, IBM and Intel.

4. Prestige: the UCD Smurfit MSc in Business Analytics has been ranked #13 in the world by QS University Rankings.

Curriculum
Students complete 6 core modules and 6 option modules (or 4 option modules + Capstone project). Options listed below are indicative and are offered subject to faculty availability.

Students complete 9 core modules over the course of the 12 months. Students take 4 core modules in the autumn trimester and 4 core modules in the spring trimester In the summer, students will take the core module Capstone Project plus 2 option modules. Options listed below are indicative and are offered subject to faculty availability.

Programme Outcomes
Programme Goal 1:
Informed Thinkers: Our graduates will be knowledgeable in the field of business analytic supported by a strong research foundation, thought leadership, and richly varied learning experiences.

Programme Learning Outcomes:
Use descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics methods to achieve understanding, prediction, and optimisation in the context of business based on deep knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, computational and data-oriented analytics.

Carry out business analytics projects from beginning to end, including: stakeholder consultation, business analysis and collaborative refinement from ill-defined to well-defined problems; data gathering and processing; core analytics methods; and professional-quality communication of results.

Programme Goal 2:
Critical and Analytical Judgement: Our graduates will have developed their analytical competence, reflective capacity and critical thinking, enabling them to apply judgement, to act with integrity and to work with others to make sound, socially responsible decisions.

Programme Learning Outcomes:
Map from any analytical business problem to an appropriate analytics approach to solving it, and be capable of explaining its advantages and limitations.

Understand the decision-making process in business its trade-offs and limitations and how analytics methods fit into it.

Programme Goal 3:
Agility and a Development Mind set: Our graduates will understand and continually work on their capacitive including communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.

Programme Learning Outcomes:
Stay informed concerning cutting-edge analytical methods through reading appropriate literature and learning new tools and techniques on an ongoing basis.

Work with client management, and peers; take account of and take advantage of differing strengths and styles within analytics teams and among other stakeholders in analytics projects; translate between the technical language of analytics and language appropriate to clients and management.

Programme Goal 4:
Ambition for Action and Contribution: Our graduates will be able to talk about, apply and act upon what they know and have the ambition and courage to collaborate, solve problems and contribute to business and society.

Programme Learning Outcomes:
Understand and explain the range of situation within business and in the wider world of public sector and non-profit organisations where analytical methods can add value.

Autumn Trimester:
•Introduction to Business Analytics
•Optimisation in Business
•Statistics and Simulation Methods
•Programming for Analytics

Spring Trimester:
Core
Data Management and Mining
Technology Consulting
Decision and Behavioural Analytics
Business Decision Support Systems

Summer Trimester:
Capstone

Option Modules:
(Students can choose 2)

Metaheuristics
Statistical Learning
Sports & Performance Analytics
Mastering Big Data
Hot Topics in Analytics

Please be advised that option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years. What is offered each academic year is subject to change.

Note that on-campus teaching is delivered under prevailing public health guidelines. In the event of a required change to planned delivery, further information about alternative delivery methods (including online delivery) will be confirmed with prospective and incoming students.

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirement.

Entry Requirements
A minimum second class honours primary degree (or equivalent) which includes quantitative techniques, including Engineering, Computer Science and other Sciences. Applicants with a Business studies background need to have taken MIS-Management Information Systems subjects, Maths or other quantitative courses.

A student may be asked to undertake the GMAT or GRE at the Director's discretion.

English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language, an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.

Visa Requirements
Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Please check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website to see if you require a visa.

How To Apply
Step 1: Collating Documentation
The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application. Please ensure that you have clearly scanned, titled and collated your documents in numerical order.

These can include but are not limited to:
Transcripts
CV
English Language Test
References
Additional Documentation

Step 2: The Application Process
Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now apply online.

Application Deadlines:
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and courses will close once they are filled. We advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note certain scholarships may require you to apply before a certain date – please refer to our scholarship page here. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie.

You will be assessed by examination and continuous assessment, including individual and group assessments, presentations, reading assignments, and computer programming. Exams take place at the end of semesters 1 and 2.

In the summer term, the project (either dissertation or practicum) involves full-time work on a real analytics problem, generally with an Irish company. It is generally mathematically complex with a computer-programming element.

1 year Full-time B154
2 years Part-time B156

Fees Full-Time EU:
€14,460 (academic year 2020/2021)
Full-Time Non-EU:
€19,900 (academic year 2020/2021)
Part-Time EU:
€7,855 (academic year 2020/2021)
Part-Time Non-EU:
€9,950 (academic year 2020/2021)

Important Note: Tuition fees and other charges are subject to change each year.

Start Date: September 2020

Career opportunities
Graduates of the MSc in Business Analytics go into analytics consultancy, data science, software/web/IT, customer analytics, finance, operations research, logistics, and more generally into analytics roles in a wide variety of industries.

100% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey).

Potential careers for our graduates include:
Business Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Scientist
Financial Analyst
Software Engineer
Acquisitions Analyst
Quantitative Analyst
Statistician