Why study Business Analytics at MC?

In the age of Big Data, more data has been created in the last two years than in the entire history of the human race. Business analysts interpret and analyze this data with the goal of improving the functioning of businesses and organizations. These professionals are employed everywhere from Fortune 500 companies to hospitals, non-profit agencies, and government organizations. Successful business analysts possess a unique combination of domain knowledge and a solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, and computer science.

The Major in Business Analytics presents a creative and solid balance between mathematical techniques and business applications and provides flexibility to accommodate a variety of student backgrounds and interests. Educated in Maryville College’s strong liberal arts curriculum, graduates of the program are able to meet the many challenges of today’s data-driven business environment. The program aims to create experts who understand the complex issues facing organizations; gather, organize and analyze data from a variety of sources; suggest realistic solutions based on solid mathematical reasoning; and communicate findings to a variety of audiences. See also the Minor in Analytics.

View/Download Overview >

Meet a Current Scot

Photo of Eden Carnes

Eden Carnes

Hometown: Friendsville, Tennessee

Taking a gap year after graduating from high school, Eden still couldn’t decide between her passion for math and theater. After touring MC, she felt right at home and was relieved to learn that she could double major in Business Analytics and Theatre Studies.


“I love learning in all disciplines, so I like that business analytics allows me to explore computer science, math, and business classes,” Eden says. She hopes to integrate both majors into a career in arts administration while remaining open to opportunities that may present themselves post-graduation.

As for on-campus opportunities, Eden currently works as an Admissions Ambassador and serves as the President for Alpha Psi Omega, the College’s theatre honors society.

 

Meet a Recent Grad

Photo of alumnus Alex Sonner, who graduated with a degree in Business Analytics.

Alex Sonner

Currently: Accounting Analyst Intern at JTEKT in Vonore, Tennessee

After exploring Biology and Engineering as a major, Alex settled on Business Analytics because he “enjoys taking data, manipulating it, and uncovering insights.” Along with his major, Alex added minors in Statistics and Data Analysis, which equipped him with strong analytical skills, enabling him to interpret data, spot trends and make
informed decisions. He interned at Red Stag Fulfillment and Dollywood, where he helped optimize operations and analyzed business data.


In addition to his current role at JTEKT, where he uses those skills to assess financial data and support strategic decisions, Alex is pursuing an MBA with an analytics concentration at Lipscomb University.

 

Chair, Division of Mathematics & Computer Science, Professor of Statistics
Dr. Jeff Bay
Chair, Division of Mathematics & Computer Science, Professor of Statistics
More Info
Chair, Division of Social Sciences, Professor of Economics
Dr. Sharon May
Chair, Division of Social Sciences, Professor of Economics
More Info
Faculty Chair, Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Maria Siopsis
Faculty Chair, Professor of Mathematics
More Info
Professor of Accounting
Rebecca Treadway
Professor of Accounting
More Info
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Jesse Smith
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
More Info

The May 2011 report by the McKinsey Global Institute was the first of many to recognize the rapidly growing demand for analytics professionals. “In most industries, established competitors and new entrants alike will leverage data-driven strategies to innovate, compete, and capture value from deep and up-to-real-time information,” the report said. “… By 2018, the United States alone could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 people with deep analytical skills as well as 1.5 million managers and analysts with the know-how to use the analysis of big data to make effective decisions.”

Companies that employ a large number of analytics professionals include giants like Google, Amazon, IBM and Oracle. Additionally, an increasing number of private companies, government entities and nonprofit organizations are forming in-house analytics teams. In addition to preparing one for a career as a business analyst, the major provides training towards careers as data scientists, advanced analytics professionals, and statisticians.

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

  1. Assess organizational performance with respect to the needs of the organization’s various stakeholders
  2. Understand the complexities, challenges and opportunities posed by the economic, political, technological and social/cultural context in which an organization operates.
  3. Interpret, analyze and present financial and economic data.
  4. Communicate complex ideas with precision and clarity in both written and oral form, to a variety of audiences.
  5. Understand the logic behind statistical inference – the science of drawing conclusions from limited data — and be able to assess the role of variability in estimations.
  6. Confidently use software to store, organize, manipulate and analyze very large quantities of data.
  7. Use mathematical techniques to produce realistic solutions to increase business efficiency and profitability.

 

The interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in Business Analytics requires a minimum of 60 credit hours involving courses in business, computer science, and mathematics. Required courses are divided into three overarching categories: Domain Knowledge, Analytical Skills, and Professional Development.

Required courses include:

Domain Knowledge:

BUS 201: Principles of Management (3 hrs)
BUS 215: Principles of Accounting (3 hrs)
BUS 242: Marketing (3 hrs)
BUS 305: Organizational Behavior (3 hrs)
BUS 344: Principles of Finance (3 hrs)
ECN 201: Principles of Economics (4 hrs)

Analytical Skills:

STA 120: Introductory Statistics (4 hrs)
MTH 125: Calculus I (MR) (4 hrs)
MTH 225: Calculus II (4 hrs)
MTH 232: Linear Algebra (3 hrs)
MTH 222: Regression Analysis (3 hrs)
MTH 305: Mathematical Modeling (3 hrs)
MTH 321: Probability & Statistics I (3 hrs)
MTH 347: Junior Research Seminar (1 hrs)
MTH 353: Senior Study (3 hrs)
MTH 399: Senior Research Seminar (1 hrs)
CSC 130: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming (4 hrs)
CSC 260: Database Management Systems (4 hrs)
CSC 314: Data Mining (3 hrs)

Professional Development (choose one):

SLS 299: Issues in Professional Development (2 hrs)
Or
CSC 299: Professional Practices in the Mathematical Sciences (1 hrs)

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

You may also be interested in:

Analytics

Business

Computer Science

Mathematics
Apply

Request Info

Interested in this Program of Study at Maryville College? Submit your basic information and an Admissions counselor will contact you shortly to answer any questions you might have.

Loading…