Chances are you’ve heard the phrase “big data.” Originally, the term implied large, complex data sets in which information about daily business interactions was captured, stored, searched, shared, and analyzed using various software applications.
More recently, “big data” is used to describe any type of information asset used to forecast consumer behavior, predict sales or marketing outcomes, and track customer relationships.
If you want a career in which you help organizations make strategic, forward-thinking decisions, earning a bachelor’s degree in business analytics at Marian University is an excellent choice.
Why choose a B.S. in business analytics at Marian?
In its landmark 2011 study “Big Data: The Next Frontier for Innovation, Competition, and Productivity,” the McKinsey Global Institute reports “Using big data will become a key basis of competition for existing companies and will create new competitors who are able to attract employees with the critical skills for a big data world.”
As a business analytics major at Marian, you will get a firm foundation in mathematics, including statistical analysis. You will learn models for collecting accurate, reliable data and how to interpret that data for making important business decisions. You’ll study techniques and best practices for:
- Descriptive analysis (gathering, organizing, and describing information)
- Predictive analysis (forecasting future trends and behaviors)
- Prescriptive analysis (recommending suggested courses of action)
In addition, you will build skills required to thrive in today’s data-driven world. You’ll explore the implications of data for measuring performance, monitoring changing business conditions, improving competitive advantages, and increasing efficiency.
- Because the Byrum School’s core business courses are intentionally designed to provide you with significant business experiences (or SBEs), expect high-impact, real-world learning opportunities through collaborations with your peers, faculty, and Indianapolis business leaders.
- Thanks to broad general education courses grounded in the liberal arts, you’ll also develop strong communication, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and leadership skills that employers want.
What will you study?
To earn the 128-credit Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics degree at Marian, you’ll complete general education courses in subjects like reasoning, individual and social understanding, and cultural awareness.
You’ll also complete required core business courses in addition to required and elective courses for the business analytics major, such as:
- BUS 423: Data Mining for Business Analytics
- BUS 344: Marketing Research
- BUS 350: Operations Management
- CST 171: Procedural Programming
- CST 270: Object-Oriented Programming
- MAT 215: Fundamentals and Special Applications of Calculus
- MAT 322: Statistical Inference and Data Analysis I
- MAT 323: Statistical Inference and Data Analysis II
- MIS 310: Database Management Systems
- MIS 320: Business Decision Making
- MIS 330: Project Management
For complete details, review our Undergraduate Course Catalog or download the sample four-year plan of study and checklist.
Sample four-year plan and checklist
What are your career paths?
In 2015, there were 2.3 million American job openings for data and business analysts. Last year, that number was expected to grow by 600,000 for a total of about 2.9 million jobs, according to a report by PwC titled “What’s Next for the 2017 Data Science and Analytics Job Market.”
Because of a shift toward data-driven organizations and decision-making—coupled with a virtually unlimited amount of data thanks to the proliferation of mobile devices, social media, and cloud computing—demand for business analytics graduates is high. Employers are competing with each other to fill openings with top candidates.
According to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in business analytics offer growth and good pay. Here are examples of jobs you can pursue:
You can work in a range of business sectors, like financial services, supply chain management, healthcare and retail operations, telecommunications and transportation companies, or cybersecurity firms, to name just a few.
Employment opportunities can also be found in e-commerce, government, for-profit and non-for-profit organizations, and manufacturing enterprises.
If you decide you want to earn an MBA or doctoral degree in business, you’ll graduate from Marian prepared to be a competitive candidate for admission to top graduate schools.
