Certificate in Business Analytics
Data Driven Business Decisions
In this program, you will learn:
- Various data analytic methods to inform and improve your decision making.
- To be able to identify which of the analytic methods would be best to use based on the available data and the problem that needs to be solved.
- Modeling techniques that will allow you to confidently make better forecast decisions for your business.
When you complete this program, you will be able to identify the most appropriate analytic method to use in a given situation, thereby allowing you to be able to make more effective data driven business decisions.
This course makes extensive use of Microsoft Excel and Excel Add-ins.
Class Information
Pre-Requisites
Undergraduate degree in any major, familiarity with Excel and willingness to work with data.
Duration and Delivery
This program has two certificate levels. Basic and Advanced. Each level is 3 credit hours. Business Analytics – Basic is completed by May and Business Analytics-Advanced starts in June.
The program is completely online. All course material and videos will be posted online on Blackboard. Faculty will meet with students every week online on Zoom .
Certificates
Certificate in Business Analytics – Basic (Spring Semester)
Certificate in Business Analytics – Advanced (Summer Semester)
Please Note: Students can complete Spring Semester and get their Certificate in Business Analytics – Basic.
Students who pass both qualifying exams of Basic and Advanced can receive credit for the Business Analytics course taught in the MBA program. They will get to convert the 6 credit hours of this Certificate program into 3 credit hours in the MBA program at Francis Marion University.
Registration for Business Analytics Basics starts on November and ends early January. Registration for Business Analytics Advanced starts on April and ends in early May.
For more information and to register, contact School of Business at 843-661-1420 or email: tracy.mcclam@fmarion.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Certificate meant for?
The Certificate in Business Analytics is meant for anyone with an undergraduate degree and is interested in learning how to use data and data analytics to make decisions at their work. This course will use Microsoft Excel and some additional software which will be added into Microsoft Excel.
How will the course be delivered?
This course is completely online. All course material and videos will be posted online on Blackboard. Faculty will meet with students every week online on Zoom on Wednesdays 6:30 PM.
Can I do just one part of the course?
Students can take Part I of the course and decide not to continue onto Part II. They will receive a modified Certificate with only Descriptive and Predictive Analytics.
Do I need a textbook for this Certificate Program?
There will be multiple books recommended but a participant in this program should be able to complete the entire course without a text book.
What pre-requisites are needed for this Certificate?
Undergraduate degree in any major, familiarity with Excel and willingness to work with data.
When the does course start?
The Business Analytics Basic program is in Spring (January – April) and the Business Analytics Advanced is in Summer (June – August)
Can I use credits from this Certificate for the MBA program at FMU?
At the end of each Part of this Certificate there is a qualifying exam which students can choose to take. Students who pass both qualifying exams of Part I and Part II will be given credit for the Business Analytics course taught in the MBA program. They will get to convert the 6 credit hours of this Certificate program into 3 credit hours in the MBA program at Francis Marion University.
Fall Semester (Basic)
Data Distributions
Binomial, Hypergeometric, Poisson, Uniform, Exponential, Normal
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation and Variance
Hypothesis Testing
One sample (Z test, T Test), Two sample (Independent sample Z and T tests, Matched Samples)
Analysis of Variance
Single Factor, Two Factor without Replication, Two Factor with Replication
Chi Square
Test of Independence, Distribution Fitting
Regression Analysis
Simple Regression
Multiple Regression
Multiple Regression with Categorical Variables
Multiple Regression with Interaction
Multiple Regression with Nonlinear variables
Data Mining
Discriminant Analysis and Logistic Regression
K-Nearest Neighbor
Classification Trees
Neural Networks
Naïve Bayes
Time Series Forecasting
Adaptive Forecasting
- Simple Moving Average
- Weighted Moving Average
- Exponential Smoothing
- Double Moving Average
- Trend Corrected Exponential Smoothing (Holts Method)
- Trend and Seasonality Corrected Exponential Smoothing (Winters Method)
Static Methods
- Using Regression and Categorical Variables
- Using Regression and de-seasonalized demand
Spring Semester (Advanced)
Introduction to Modeling and Simulation
Linear Programming
Sensitivity Analysis
Budget Allocation
Cash Flow Optimization Model
Advertising Allocation Model
Production Planning and Control Model
Make versus Buy Model
Blending Model
Investment Portfolio Optimization Model
Transportation Models
Transshipment Models
Logistics and Supply Chain Models
Shortest Path Model
Integer Linear Programing
Work force Scheduling Models
Capital Budgeting Optimization
Project Selection Models
Simulation and Optimization with Risk
Probability Distributions and Random Number Generation
Monte Carlo Methods
Statistical Analysis of Simulation Output and
Decision Making incorporating Risk
Faculty
Dr. Elizabeth Sharer
Associate Professor of Management
Office: FH 266
Phone: 843-661-1808
esharer@fmarion.edu
Dr. Hari Rajagopalan
Dean of the School of Business
Eugene A. Fallon Jr. Professor of Management
Office: FH 259A
Phone: 843-661-1420
HRajagopalan@fmarion.edu
