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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Applied Business Analytics
Module Code BAA1015 (ITS: MT224)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
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.Students are also introduced to Ethics in Data Analytics and Databases, Big Data and Data Management. In Semester 2 students are introduced to the developing role and applications of Data Analytics and given an overview of the Data Analytics function in data driven organisations. A unique feature of the module is the option to choose from a selection of topics in the second semester. This will vary from topics on developing a Data Analytics strategy to more technical topics like learning a program language like Python. Options will also include specialist topics linked to marketing, accountng, finance, aviation and other specialsims.

Learning Outcomes

1. Provide an overview of the 'Data Analytics Function” in an organisation and how it links to other functions and gain an insight into the applications of data analytics in increasing data driven businesses. .
2. Develop the ability to idenitfy the role of analytics in their own business specialism and identify key analytical tools and skills required by professional in modern data driven organsations in their chosen field
3. Will gain an insight into the ethical and legal obligations and rights required when working with data, including the principles of data protection, GDPR and other data protection rules and ethics in data analytics.
4. Explain the nature of sample error and calculate this error for a number of sample parameters
5. Choose the and apply the appropriate statistical techniques for testing a variety of statistical hypotheses
6. Build a basic Predictive Analytics model using Linear Regression and test assumptions and limitations of these models
7. Explain the key concepts and tools in Managing Data and Databases, including 'Big Data', and use SQL to create basic database queries
8. Use advanced modelling tools including Simulation in MS EXCEL
9. Develop key analytics skills in their own chosen specialism (e.g Aviation, Marketing, Finance, Accounting,...)


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Online activity30Onlne Courses on Databases and Data Management , Big Data and Data Ethics
Lecture25No Description
Portfolio Preparation30Reflective E-Portfolio outlining the development of students Data Analytics skills with links to students future career needs.
Online activity75Self Directed Specialist Online Training using Kubicle , Google Analytics, LinkedIn Learning and Other Tools
Assignment Completion40Statistics Data Analysis Assignment
Online activity40Weekly Online Exercises
Workshop10Workshops on Jamovi Software and Business Modelling Tools using MS EXCEL
Total Workload: 250
Section Breakdown
CRN10095Part of TermSemester 1 & 2
Coursework100%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsN
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorGerard ConynghamModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PortfolioE-Portfolio where students demonstrate the Data Analytics skills gained over two years with links to their chosen specialism and future career plan.40%Sem 2 End
AssignmentCase Study applying variety of statistical techniques to a real world dataset.20%n/a
Group project Build a Simulation Model of a Process/System for a real world business applcation10%n/a
Digital ProjectProbability and Confidence Interval Assignment15%n/a
ParticipationParticipation / Weekly Exercises15%n/a
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

Overview of Business Analytics
Keys Steps in a Data Aanlytics Project, Business Intelligence, Role of Analytics in Business, Key SoftwareTools in Business Analytics

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

Statistical Estimation
- Sampling - Sample Error - Confidence Intervals

Statistical/Hypothesis Testing
- What is a Statistical Test? - Steps in involved in a Statistical Test - Independent Sample t-test, One WAY ANOVA, Chi-Square Test

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

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
Overview of "Big Data" and Big Data Management

Building Models using MS EXCEL
Business Models in MS Excel Business Modelling fundamentals, Simulation Models Forward Looking Business Models using MS EXCEL

Ethics in Business Analytics
Ethical and legal obligations when working with data. Principles of data protection, GDPR amd other data protection rules and ethics in data analytics.

Specialism Options - Advanced MS EXCEL
Finance Functions and Introduction to Valuation using MS EXCEL Calculating Present Values, Calculating NPV, Calculating IRR using MS EXCEL, Investing with Loans, Market Based Valuation and Multiples, Growth Rates and Terminal Values Creating Dashboards in MS EXCEL Introduction to MS EXCEL Macros

Specialism Options - Web Analytics
Why digital analytics? How Google Analytics works, Google Analytics setup, How to measure Google Ads campaigns

Specialism Options - Financial Modelling using MS EXCEL
Finance Functions and Introduction to Valuation using MS EXCEL Calculating Present Values, Calculating NPV, Calculating IRR using MS EXCEL, Investing with Loans, Market Based Valuation and Multiples, Growth Rates and Terminal Values

Specialism Option - Programming in Python
Basic Introduction to Python Course - Open source object orientated programming language with many Data Analytics applications.

Specialism Option - Advanced Visualsation Tools
Intermediate Skills in POWER BI and TABLEAU

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

  • 1: Online Training, LinkedIn, LinkedIn Learning,
  • 418586: 1, Online Training, Kubicle, Learn data analysis skills for the future of work,
  • www.kubicle.com: 418587, 1, E Book, Lex Holmes, Barbara Illowsky, Susan Dean, 2017, Introductory Business Statistics
  • OpenStax: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/introductory-business-statistics-2017, 418588, 1, E Book, Thomas K. Tiemann, 2010
  • BCcampus: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/introductory-business-statistics, 418589, 1, E Book, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic,, 2015
  • ,, John Wiley & Sons: 418590, 1, Online Training, Google, 0
  • https://analytics.google.com/analytics/academy/: 418591, 1, Online Training, Google, Google Skillshop
  • https://skillshop.withgoogle.com/:

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