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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Business Analytics 2
Module Code BAA1014 (ITS: MT223)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

Business Analytics 2 follows from Business Analytics 1 and uses a blended learning approach to develop students’ skills in the broad area of “Data Analytics”. In this module students will develop the core Data Analytics statistical skills and more advanced data visualization and MS EXCEL spreadsheet skills. They will also be introduced to Data Management and Databases

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the nature of sample error and calculate this error for a number of sample parameters
2. Choose the appropriate statistical techniques for testing a variety of statistical hypotheses
3. Build a basic Predictive Analytics model using Linear Regression and test assumptions and limitations of these models
4. Use TABLEAU to create data visualisations and a customised dashboard
5. Use advanced modelling skills in MS EXCEL
6. Be able to explain the role and applications of analytics in data driven organisations from an international perspective by demonstrating the contribution of analytics and the dissemination of information to the economic development of different geographical regions through the use of case studies.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture20No Description
Online activity50Online learning - Data Analysis and Modelling Skills in MS EXCEL. Data Visualisation skills in TABLEAU, SQL Database Skills
Assignment Completion20No Description
Online activity20Weekly Exercises / Quizzes
Independent Study15No Description
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN10094Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorAndreas RobotisModule TeacherGerard Conyngham
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentCase Study applying variety of statistical techniques to a real world dataset.40%Week 12
Group project Using Tableau to create a Data Visualisation Dashboard20%Week 6
ParticipationParticipation / Weekly Exercises20%Every Week
Digital ProjectBuild a Simulation Model in MS EXCEL20%Week 12
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

The role of Analytics in Organisations
Analytics function in an organisation, Building an effective Analytics Team, Applications of Analytics

Probability
- Basic Probability - Discrete Probability Distributions; Binomial Distribution, Poisson Distribution - Normal Distribution

Statistical Estimation
- Sampling - Sample Error - Confidence Intervals

Hypothesis / Statistical Tests
Purpose of a Statistical Test, Choosing the appropriate Test, Statistical Significance / P-Value

Regression and Forecasting / Predictive Analytics
- Times Series Models - Linear Regression - Cause and Effect

Building Models using MS EXCEL
Building a basic Pricing Model using Goalseek and SOLVER -

Forward Looking Business Models - Building a Model using Decision Trees and Scenario Analysis Discrete Event Simulation Models

Data Management and Databases
Introduction to Databases - Open Source Relationship Database based on SQL. Tables, Relationships, Joins, Subqueries, Regular

Expressions - Big Data and Big Data Management Tools

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Jaggia, Sanjiv: 2021, Business analytics: communicating with numbers,, McGraw Hill,
  • Tang Chunlei: 2016, The data industry: the business and economics of information and big data, Wiley,
  • Frye, Curtis.: 2016, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Press,
  • EMC Education Services: 2015, Data science & big data analytics: discovering, analyzing, visualizing and presenting data, John Wiley and Sons,
  • Stephen L Nelson: 2016, EXCEL Data Analysis for Dummies,, Wiley,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

  • Online Training: Kubicle, Learn data analysis skills for the future of work, http://www.kubicle.com
  • E Book:: Lex Holmes, Barbara Illowsky, Susan Dean, 2017, /introductory-business-statistics, Open Stax, https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textb ooks/introductory-business-statistics-20 17
  • E Book:: Thomas K. Tiemann, 2010, Introductory Business Statistics,, BCcampus, https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textb ooks/introductory-business-statistics
  • E Book: Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, 2015, Storytelling with Data : A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals, ,, ,John Wiley & Sons,

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