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Minor in Business Analytics

Crowell School of Business

Overview

Data science is changing the world. Businesses rely on data to spark new ideas, to provide innovative solutions and to make strategic industry decisions. Learning why data matters and how to use it effectively can make you an influential leader in the marketplace. Biola’s business analytics minor shows students the real-world applications of data and how data drives both business and innovation. Students will be equipped to collect, evaluate and use data to help businesses become smarter, more strategic and better stewards of their resources. Learn from professors across disciplines that will challenge you to think critically and demonstrate how biblical principles apply to business practices. You’ll be ready to enter into a fast-growing career field and pursue careers such as a business systems analyst, data analyst and business intelligence manager.


Courses

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Note: This list is intended to give you a quick glimpse into the program's academic offerings, and should not be used as a guide for course selection or academic advising.

Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses

You must choose one of the mathematics courses listed below as a part of your minor.

Collection and presentation of business data, central tendency and dispersion measures for business analysis, sampling and inference for confidence intervals and hypothesis testing, business forecasting with simple regression. Core Curriculum: Approved for Core - Mathematics.

Nature of statistical methods, description of sample data, fundamental concepts of probability, probability distributions, sampling, estimation, correlation and regression, application of same. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Math credit. Grade Mode: A.
Prepares the student for biostatistical application essential to practice in evidence-based professions. Content includes: descriptive statistics; probability theory and rules; discrete and continuous probability distributions; sampling distributions; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing; experimental design; ANOVA; linear and multiple regression; contingency table analysis; non-parametrics; survival analysis; discussion of the use of statistics in journal articles. Notes: Approved for Core Curriculum Math credit. Credit given for only one of 210 and 318. Grade Mode: A.

General Program Courses

Financial accounting concepts and techniques essential for all business majors and those seeking to learn the language of business; analyzing and recording transactions; preparation of financial statements; valuation and allocation procedures. Grade Mode: A.

Students will study Information systems, their design, implementation and contribution to management planning, decision-making and control. The impact of information systems on the personal and spiritual lives of students as well as their impact on broader society will also be covered. Students will learn relevant business software applications through hands-on lab assignments. Grade Mode: A.

Students will be introduced to the concepts of business analytics. Topics will include business modeling, optimization techniques, advanced spreadsheet techniques, and data visualization. Grade Mode: A.
This course will continue to prepare students for a career in business analytics. Using case studies, students will synthesize and apply a variety of business analysis methodologies. Students will learn needed database concepts, data mining methods, and other digital technologies needed to work with large, unstructured data sets. Grade Mode: A.
Introduction to computer hardware and software. Problem solving methods. Elementary concepts of algorithm development. C++ programming. Lecture/Lab Hours: Three hours lecture, one hour lab. Grade Mode: A.

Selected Program Courses

In addition to core requirements and general program courses, business analytics minor students must choose from one of the following three courses to complete their general program requirements.

An examination and evaluation of financial decision making in the Corporate environment valuing future cash flows, characterizing risk and return and evaluating options available to firms to finance their operations or fund growth opportunities. Students will learn how to analyze financial data to provide information to management on how to improve the financial performance of their firm. Grade Mode: A.

As the capstone for Business Analytics concentration students, this course will explore advanced and current topics in the use of data for business decision-making. Students will complete an academic service learning project, field study, or other experiential project related to their future career interests; complete an E-Portfolio including career preparation materials; and demonstrate their ability to apply the principles and practice of ethical and responsible management of data. Notes: Passing this course with a "C" or better will satisfy the Crowell School of Business E-Portfolio Competency Requirement. No substitutions or transfers will be allowed in place of this course. Grade Mode: A.

Practical experience of applying statistical methods to real-world statistical consulting problems. Initial meeting with client, converting problem to solvable form, conducting analysis, and presenting results to client. Attention given to 'soft' (consultant-client interaction, effective group work, presentation skills) and 'hard' (analysis use of statistical software) aspects of consulting process. Notes: Special approval required. Grade Mode: A.

Credit Total

A Minor in Business Analytics is offered with the completion of 18 credits.

18
Total Program Credits
Every program at Biola University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.
WSCUC / ACBSP
Accreditation
Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.

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