Master of Science in Business Analytics

How long does it take to complete the Master of Science in Business Analytics program?

The program can be completed in two semesters but many students use a third semester to complete the capstone project.

Is the Master of Science in Business Analytics a designated STEM Program?

Yes, the Master of Science in Business Analytics program has been officially designated as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program.

When is the application deadline?

Please visit the program's admission page for deadlines.

Earning a master’s degree in business analytics is an increasingly popular way to put yourself ahead of the competition in the job market. As businesses realize the potential of data, they demand skilled scientists and analysts who can transform their vast amounts of structured and unstructured data into insights that impact growth.

Not only does Lindner’s program enhance professional skills that ensure you can help businesses make successful decisions, but it encourages those without prior experience to gain demonstrable skills through internships and professional development opportunities.

Backed by Lindner’s career-driven student resources, services and community partnerships, graduates of the MS in Business Analytics earn an average starting salary of $99,874 and have found employment with top companies, including:

• Google
• Disney
• Procter & Gamble
• Facebook
• Amazon
• Apple Inc.

Learn more about Linder graduates’ starting salaries and career placements.

Students in the MS in Business Analytics program can pursue the degree full time, gaining applied experience to boost job prospects in just two semesters. Through evening courses and with the option to attend part time, anyone can begin to further their career without drastically altering their personal or professional life.

The Lindner College of Business continues the University of Cincinnati’s dedication to tangible applications of knowledge.

The University of Cincinnati Center for Business Analytics offers unique opportunities for students to partner with industry-leading organizations through course projects and assistantships. Companies including Procter & Gamble, GE Aviation and Nestlé turn to the center to solve their real-world, data-driven business problems with the help of students from the MS in Business Analytics program.

Corporate partners and major employers such as Tata Consultancy Services, Great American Insurance, PWC, GE Digital, Teradata, DMI, and Fifth Third Bank routinely  recruit students in the MS in Business Analaytics program.

In addition to recruiting visits, top companies regularly lead seminars and attend networking events in pursuit of forging relationships with technical talent and future hires. Students can find internships and post-graduation job placement through UC’s connections with leaders in the industry.

With just a few informed course selections, MS in Business Analytics students can attach a data science or AI in business certificate to their degree.

Lindner’s data science graduate certificate program offers students the ability to build on their Master’s in Business Analytics with additional training in programming languages, big data integration and more. The AI in business certificate prepares students to leverage AI platforms to solve business problems, preparing students for job placements in a rapidly growing talent field.

These are typical MS Business Analytics schedules, and they assume all Basic Business Knowledge (BBK) prerequisites have been fulfilled. The program consists of 33 total credits; 25 from core BANA courses (24 credits for formal coursework, one credit for BANA 8083 capstone), and eight from electives, at least four of which must be BANA-prefixed courses at the 6000 level or above. All electives must be approved by the academic director.

Full-time study

One year program.

*BANA 8083 should be taken in the semester in which the student will graduate.

Part-time study

Part-time students typically, though not always, complete the program in two years.

Year one

*BANA 8083 should be taken in the semester in which the student will graduate.

BANA 6037: Data Visualization
This course provides an introduction as well as hands-on experience in data visualization. It introduces students to design principles for creating meaningful displays of quantitative and qualitative data to facilitate managerial decision-making.

BANA 7020: Optimization
An introduction to modeling, solving with state-of-the-art software, and interpreting the results for real-world linear, integer, and nonlinear optimization applications. Solution techniques and analyses covered include graphical approaches, the simplex method, duality, and sensitivity for linear optimization; branch-and-bound and cutting plane techniques for integer optimization; and Newton’s method and gradient search for nonlinear optimization.

BANA 7025: Data Wrangling
This course provides an intensive, hands-on introduction to data management and data manipulation. You will learn the fundamental skills required to acquire, munge, transform, manipulate, and visualize data in a computing environment that fosters reproducibility.

BANA 7030: Simulation Modeling and Methods
Building and using simulation models of complex static and dynamic, stochastic systems using both spreadsheets and high-level simulation software. Topics include generating random numbers, random variates, and random processes, modeling systems, simulating static models in spreadsheets, modeling complex dynamic stochastic systems with high-level commercial simulation software, basic input modeling and statistical analysis of terminating and steady-state simulation output, and managing simulation projects. Applications in complex queueing and inventory models representing real systems such as manufacturing, supply chains, healthcare, and service operations.

BANA 7031: Probability Modeling
PROBABILITY MODELS: Events, probability spaces and probability functions; Random variables; Distribution and density functions; Joint distributions; Moments of random variables; Special expectations; Moment generating functions; Conditional probability and conditional moments; Probability inequalities; Independence; Special probability distributions including: binomial, negative binomial, multinomial, Poisson, gamma, chisquare, normal, beta, t, F, mixture distributions, multivariate normal; Distribution of functions of random variables; Order statistics; Asymptotic results including: convergence in distribution, central limit theorem, convergence in probability, Slutsky's theorem. STOCHASTIC MODELS: Discrete time Markov processes, Markov pure jump processes, Birth and death processes, Branching processes, Poisson process, Pure birth processes, Yule process; applications in several areas, e.g. queuing models, machine repair models, inventory models, etc.

BANA 7042: Statistical Modeling
Nonlinear regression and generalized linear model. Logistic regression for dichotomous and polytomous responses with a variety of links. Count data regression including Poisson and negative binomial regression. Variable selection methods. Graphical and analytic diagnostic procedures. Overdispersion. Generalized additive models. Limited dependent variable regression models (Tobit), Panel Data models.

BANA 7046 Data Mining I
This is a course in the statistical data mining with emphasis on hands-on case study experience using various data mining/machine learning methods and major software to analyze complex real world data. Topics include: Data Preprocessing. k-Nearest Neighbors. Linear Regression and Generalized Linear Regression. Subset and LASSO Variable Selection. Model Evaluation. Cross Validation. Classification and Regression Trees.

BANA 7047: Data Mining II
This is a course in the statistical data mining with emphasis on hands-on case study experience using various data mining/machine learning methods and major software to analyze complex real world data. Topics include: Advanced Trees: Bagging, Random Forests, Boosting. Nonparametric Smoothing methods. Generalized Additive Models. Data Preprocessing/Scaling. Neural Networks. Deep Learning. Cluster Analysis. Association Rules.

BANA 7051: Applied Statistical Methods
This course covers applied statistical methods, including topics of frequency distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, point and interval estimation for mean and proportion; comparison of two populations; goodness of fit tests, one factor ANOVA. Major statistical software is used.

BANA 7052: Applied Linear Regression
This course covers applied linear regression, including topics of fitting and drawing inferences from simple and multiple linear regression models; residual diagnostics; model correction procedure for linear regression; variable selection. Major statistical software is used.

BANA 8083: Capstone
This course is associated with the required MS Business Analytics Capstone. The Capstone experience will be described in an essay that is reviewed and approved by two faculty members. The essay can describe: (1) a research project based onan idea proposed independently by the student or with faculty input; (2) an extension of a case analysis or project completed in a class such as BANA7095, Graduate Case Studies in Business Analytics. The essay must describe the student's contribution to the research or case.

IS 6030: Data Management
This course provides an introduction to the use and design of databases to store, manipulate and query data. The course introduces the structured query language (SQL) used to manage data. Students who complete this course should understand how to use SQL for basic data manipulation and queries. This course is intended for users of existing databases to extract needed information and should not be taken by MSIS students or those students who wish to learn detailed database design techniques.

BA 7077: Career Management
All full-time Lindner graduate students are required to register for the course BA7077 Graduate Career Management. This course includes both in-class meetings and deliverables such as resume revision, LinkedIn profiles, mock-interviews, etc. These will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. This course provides Lindner College of Business graduate students with an advanced set of necessary skills and tools for continuous professional development and/or conducting a strategic job search in his/her field of choice.

BANA 6043: Statistical Computing
This is a course on the use of computer tools for data management and analysis. The focus is on a few popular data management and statistical software packages such as SQL, SAS, SPSS, S Plus, R, and JMP although others may be considered. Data management and manipulation techniques including queries in SQL will be covered. Elementary analyses may include measures of location and spread, correlation, detection of outliers, table creation, graphical displays, comparison of groups, as well as specialized analyses.

BANA 7048: Multivariate Statistical Methods
This is a course in the analysis multivariate data with emphasis on appropriate choice of estimation and testing methods. Vectors and matrices, Multivariate probability distributions and their parameter, Multivariate normal distributions, Maximization and minimization of multivariate functions, The "shape" of multivariate normal data, Correlation, prediction and regression, Sample statistics and their sampling distributions for multivariate normal data; Estimation and tests for correlation, Tests of independence, Estimation and tests for multivariate means and covariance matrices, ower of multivariate tests, multivariate linear models, canonical correlation analysis, Principal components analysis, Factor analysis, Classification and discrimination analysis.

BANA 7050: Forecasting and Time Series Methods
This is a course in the analysis of time series data with emphasis on appropriate choice of forecasting, estimation, and testing methods. Univariate Box-Jenkins methodology for fitting and forecasting time series. ARIMA models, Stationarity non-Stationarity, auto-correlation functions, partial and inverse autocorrelation functions, Estimation and model fitting, Diagnosing time series models, Forecasting: Point and interval forecasts, Seasonal time series models,Transfer function models, Intervention models, Modeling volatility with ARCH, GARCH, and other methods, Modeling time series with trends, Multiequation time series models: Vector Auto Regression (VAR), Cointegration and error correction models, Nonlinear time series models, State space time series models, Bayesian time series and forecasting.

BANA 7075: Machine Learning Design
This course aims to provide a framework for developing real-world machine learning systems that are deployable, reliable, and scalable. Machine learning systems design is the process of defining the software architecture, infrastructure, algorithms, and data for a machine learning system to satisfy specified requirements.

BANA 7095: Graduate Case Studies in Business Analytics
Real organizational problems or challenges will be presented to students by client companies. Students in groups will work with a client to develop a solution or solutions to the problems using advanced analytic techniques. Students will present the solutions to the client in both oral and written reports.

BANA 8090: Special Topics in Business Analytics
This course is used to explore topics of current interest in the BANA domain, that do not fall within the scope of any of the regularly scheduled courses. By the nature of the course, specific topics covered will vary with each offering.

CS 6052: Intelligent Data Analysis
This course will introduce students to the theoretical and practical aspects of the field of data mining. Algorithms for data mining will be covered and their relationships with statistics, mathematics, and algorithm design foundations will be explored in detail.

ECON 8021: Micro Theory Topics

FIN 7045: Portfolio Management
This course will give students an understanding of the implications of standard asset pricing models, market efficiency, optimization, asset allocation, and portfolio risk management.

IS 7012: Web Development with .Net
This course is an introduction to the development of web-based applications, using Microsoft's Visual Studio and covering ASP.Net using Visual C#. Students will be expected to develop a simple web application that incorporates these technologies. Students will learn how to integrate the frontend (web site) with the back end (database) of an application. The course will cover the implementation of navigational structures, input and validation controls, and data controls in web applications.

IS 7034: Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence
This course is designed for the comprehensive learning of data warehousing technology for business intelligence. Data warehouses are used to store (archive) data from operational information systems. Data warehouses are useful in generating valuable control and decision-support business intelligence for many organizations in adjusting to their competitive environment. This course will introduce students to the design, development and operation of data warehouses. Students will apply and integrate the data warehousing and business intelligence knowledge learned in this course in leading software packages.

IS 7065: Generative AI for Business
This course examines the technology underlying modern generative artificial intelligence / machine learning models from a business perspective, including their uses in coding, professional and artistic applications, and the various controversies and challenges to work and/or society they may pose.

IS 7085: Governance of AI/ML
This course teaches students how to develop, scale-up, and sustainably manage high-performing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning systems in business organizations. It introduces concepts and techniques that enable the development of surrogate approaches to explain AI/ML models, build redundancy in AI/ML systems, and calculate and minimize risk of failures while using such approaches

IS 8034: Big Data Integration
This course presents an overview of the principles of data integration, the fundamental basis for developing useful and flexible business intelligence platforms. Modern data integration needs differ from traditional approaches in four main dimensions that parallel differences between big data and traditional data: volume, velocity, variety, and veracity.

IS 8070: Special Topics
This course is used to explore topics of current interest in the IS domain that do not fall within the scope of any of the regularly scheduled courses. By the very nature of the course, specific topics covered will vary with each offering.

MKT 7012: Marketing Research for Managers
Explores the role of marketing research in marketing management. Involves hands-on activities to perfect understanding of methods for collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data pertinent to solving marketing problems.

OM 7061: Managing Project Operations
This course covers detailed issues related to managing product development and projects in organizations. The course covers, in two separate modules:-Concepts of project planning and organization, budgeting and control, and project life cycles and concepts related to organizational workflow including the staffing process, and project planning elements; related concepts of organizational forms, conflict resolution, and issues related to leadership and task management in a project environment.-Advanced concepts of project scheduling, including WBS, CPM, PERT, simulation, project budgeting, earned value analysis, project tracking and resource constrained scheduling. This includes setting up projects on Microsoft Project and using the information for budgeting, resource management, tracking and ongoing communication and evaluation of projects.

OM 7083: Supply Chain Strategy and Analysis
Presents an overview of issues relating to the design and operation of an organization's supply chain. Information is presented as a mix of technical models and applied case studies. Topics may include inventory planning, logistics, sustainability, global operations, supply chain collaboration and contracting.

Master of Science in Business Analytics program requires the completion of a capstone experience. Students will describe their capstone experience in an essay of eight to fifteen pages. The essay will be based on one of the following:

• Research Project: The content of the essay must be substantive in terms of containing technical, quantitative modeling, analysis, or programming/coding aspects and not a survey or exposition of the work of others. The appendices of the essay may contain supporting figures and tables, computer files that contain the data used, model formulations and computer code.
• Extension of a Course Case Analysis/Project: This essay is an extension of a case analysis or project completed in a class such as BANA7095, Graduate Case Studies in Business Analytics. Even if the original case analysis/project was a group effort, the essay must still be an individual effort. The content must extend the original work and a copy of the original work must also be submitted. Acceptable extensions can include the application of different modeling methodologies to the same data set to compare results or the use of additional data to generate new insights or to confirm the original findings.
• Description of an Internship Project: This essay describes the student’s contribution to a project completed during a one or two semester internship taken as part of the student's MS-Business Analytics course work. The content must demonstrate the student’s knowledge of Business Analytics concepts and the student’s ability to implement those concepts. It is understood that for proprietary reasons, the essay may not contain the level of detail expected in a Research Project or Case Analysis essay.

Examples of past Business Analytics capstone projects are available for review.