Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
MSc in Business Analytics
Dr James McDermott
Programme Director
Engineers, Computer Scientists, Mathematicians, Other Quantitative Degrees,
Graduates of Business Studies (MIS)…
What is Business Analytics?
Business Analytics is a set of analytical methods for using data to:
• Achieve understanding
• Improve outcomes
• Help make decisions.
It is a branch of applied mathematics.
It uses computer techniques prominently.
It is a scientific approach to management.
Many different organisations use the principles and practices of Analytics. Major users include:
• Banks and finance houses
• Management consultancy companies
• Government and the Public Service
• Engineering and manufacturing industries
• Transport systems, e.g. Railways, Airports, Airlines
• Non-profit sector
Business Analytics is found almost anywhere major decisions, with large resource implications, are made.
Who uses Business Analytics?
Who is this MSc designed for?
• Graduates of:– Business Studies (with relevant options)
– Engineering– Computer Science– Mathematics– Degrees with quantitative content
• Applicants should know some:– Mathematics and– Computer programming
• Full time and part time students: part-time classes timetabled from 5pm
Programme Objectives
• Core quantitative/computational/statistical methods
• Understanding types of problems and choosing appropriate approaches
• Communication and consultancy (not just data science)
• Independence/self-reliance and research
• It is a technical programme, not a general course in management
Educational Approach
• 1 year full time or 2 years part time • Core and optional modules• Each module has three hours class contact per
week, plus scheduled tutorial sessions
• Lectures, group and individual project work
Subjects• Semester 1: 4 core modules, 30 credits
– Quantitative Methods– Numerical Analytics and Software– Project Management and Decision Analytics– Applied Probability and Statistics
• Semester 2: 4 option modules from 5, 30 credits
– Analytical Business Modelling– Simulation Modelling and Analysis– Network Software Modelling– Decision Support and Business Intelligence– Data Mining Models and Techniques
• Semester 3: Project work, 30 credits- Dissertation and support module, OR - Practicum and support module and taught option
Subjects• Semester 1: core, theory, methods
• Semester 2: applied, specialisation
• Semester 3: independent research and specialisation – working with an Irish organisation on real-world problems
Recent Projects
• Predicting fraudulent behaviour in Tax Entities using Supervised Data Mining
• Phased Multicriteria Credit Assessment• Swarm Intelligence Optimisation of Time
Capacitated Arc Routing Problems• Will more regulation increase the effectiveness of
Securities Exchanges: An investigation using an Agent-Based Model
• A Simulated Annealing approach to the Unit Commitment problem: the Irish Electricity Market
• Social Network Analysis for Modelling Customer Investment
• Analysing Consumer Sentiment with Twitter
Recent Dissertations 2
• Agent Based Modelling for Revenue compliance• Garda AFIS: Fingerprint Case Archiving• Support Vector Machines and kernel functions• A Critical Evaluation of Recommendation of the
Preferred Method for MCDM in Ireland’sElectricity Transmission System
• Genetic Algorithm to optimise supply versus demand for Manor Farm Chickens
• Identifying and Inferring Social and Familial Relationships Between Genealogical Records
• Optimum location of biomass plant• The detection of motor insurance fraud using
social network analysis
Industry Partners
Projects with industry, government:– SAS– IBM– Deloitte– Accenture– Revenue– CSO– FTI Consulting (previously Distinct Consulting)– Paddy Power– Irish Institute of Sport– Many others
They collaborate on our student projects because they want to hire our graduates.
General prospects
“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.”- McKinsey “Big Data” report, 2011
“The problem is that demand for analytical skills exceeds the supply and the shortage of analytical talent will only get worse in the coming years.”
- Gartner Group, Jan 2012
“Only 23% of the respondents feel they have the right analytical talent”
- Bloomberg survey, 2011
Careers
Careers in:– business analytics– management consulting– software– financial analysis – supply chain / logistics management– operations research
Graduate destinations
• Consulting companies: Accenture, IBM, Deloitte Consulting, Sapient, BearingPoint, PA Consulting, FTI (previously Distinct), SAS
• Industry: Intel, Dell, Google, Cartrawler, Clavis Technology
• Software: eontec.com, Murex, IBM
• Operations research: Aer Lingus, Revenue Research Inc, E.on
• Financial services: AIB, J.P. Morgan, ABN AMRO, Goldman Sachs, First Derivatives
Minimum Entry Requirements
• Graduates of quantitative degrees– require substantial quantitative component
and a computer programming element– The minimum entry requirement is usually a
high second class honours
• Overseas Students may be asked to provide a GMAT or GRE quantitative component score (i.e., mathematics)
• Two Academic References (employer if part-time)
• English Language Test (i.e. TOEFL or IELTS) for graduates whose undergraduate degree was not taught through English
Scholarship / Bursary Opportunities• Scholarship
FTI Consulting (previously Distinct Intelligence) support the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School MSc in Business Analytics by offering an annual Scholarship.
Its value is €3000 for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Applications will be invited from people • who have accepted full time places on the programme and • who have achieved the equivalent of a
First Class honours (at least 3.68 GPA) or a Second Class Honours, First Division (from 3.08 to 3.67 GPA inclusive) in their undergraduate degree.
Applications will be accepted until the 1st July 2015.
• Bursary
SAS sponsors the annual Dr Patrick Perry Bursary to recognise the best student for their performance and achievements during their time on the Programme. Its value is €2000.
• Applications are made online at
http://www.smurfitschool.ie Click the button "Apply Now”
• Original transcripts required for all university-level degrees, including grades for all individual subjects
• Two academic references required. Part time students may supply an employer reference.(Reference Forms are supplied with the link to online applications on the website).
• Scores for the GMAT or an equivalent test e.g., GRE, may be required.
Application Process
• Applications are made online at
http://www.smurfitschool.ie Click the button "Apply Now”
Application Process
• No strict deadline but this may change.
• All places on programme are filled by early summer, so we suggest applying by mid March.
• Applications are reviewed as they arrive, so delay may be costly.
• Non-EU applicants need time to arrange a visa.
• Support documentation (References, Transcripts, GMAT/GRE Scores if needed, etc.) should be submitted by mid-July to the Admissions Office in the Smurfit School
When to Apply?
• Immediate offers for very strong complete applications.
• Immediate but conditional offers for strong but incomplete applications (e.g., undergraduate degree exams not yet done, language test required), with final decisions made upon receipt of all required items.
• Decisions for most applications by June or July.
When to Expect a Decision?
For more information:
MSc in Business Analytics Programme Manager: Ms Annmarie Connolly
Tel: (01) 716 8075
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.smurfitschool.ie/businessanalytics
• Programme Director Dr. James McDermott [email protected]
• Alternative academic contactsDr. Peter Keenan [email protected]. Seán McGarraghy [email protected]
