MSc in Business
Analytics Programme
Dr Seán McGarraghy
Director
Engineers, Computer Scientists,
Mathematicians, Other Sciences (Physics)
& Quantitative Degrees,
Graduates of Business Studies (MIS)…
What is Business Analytics?
Many organisations have a lot of data
• but don't know what to do with it,
• or how to extract the most value from it.
Business Analytics is a set of methods to model,
analyse and interpret data. It uses quantitative
and computational approaches to solve problems
and aid decision-making. Applications in the
management of organisations include:
• exploring new ways to tackle problems faced
by managers
• aiding clarification of objectives and priorities
• defining alternative strategies
• investigating costs and benefits
Analytics: The Future for Business
These quantitative techniques for business
decision-making are increasingly important:
•in rapidly changing markets
•facing increasing competition
•challenged by tighter margins
•however, with large amounts of data available
•and increased computing power
We can achieve better analysis, accurate results,
optimal performance, and success
The ability to think creatively and communicate
well is vital, since Analytics experts should be in
close contact with their business clients.
Who uses Business Analytics?
Many different organisations use the principles
and practices of Analytics. Major users include:
• banks and finance houses
• transport systems, e.g. Railways, Airports, Airlines
• government
• the major engineering and manufacturing industries
• management consultancy companies
Business Analytics (also called Management
Science or Operations / Operational Research) is
found almost anywhere major decisions, with
large resource implications, are made.
Course Overview
Our MSc in Business Analytics is a specialist
management programme which
• builds on students’ technical and analytical
knowledge and experience, and
• provides the technical skills needed to
o model practical problems,
o develop solution approaches
o and implement these techniques
(e.g., customise or develop software)
in a business problem-solving environment.
This is not a course in general management!
Government Funding
• The Programme is included in the HEA’s
Graduate Skills Conversion Programme 2010,
which is funded by the National Development
Plan (NDP) of the Irish Government.
Consequently, for EU citizens, most of the fees
on the programme are covered.
Fees for 2009-2010:
EU citizens €2000, or part-time €2000 p.a.
Non-EU citizens €8800, or part-time €5200 p.a.
Scholarship / Bursary Opportunities
•
Scholarship
Distinct Business Consulting Ltd support the UCD Michael
Smurfit Graduate Business School MSc in Business Analytics
by offering the Distinct Scholarship.
Its value is €3000 for the 2009-2010 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 31st July 2010.
•
Bursary
SAS and Damovo/Zerotouch sponsor the annual Dr Patrick
Perry Bursaries to recognise the best student and the best
dissertation for their performance and achievements during
their time on the Programme.
Who is this course designed for?
• Graduates of:
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Business Studies (with relevant options)
Engineering
Computer Science
Mathematics
Other courses with a quantitative
component
• Graduates need:
– to have an aptitude for mathematics
– an inclination towards computer programming
– to want to use their technical strengths at the
start of their career in management
Course Objectives
• To build on intellectual, academic, project &
mathematical skills
• improve software development skills
• develop skills, i.e., problem analysis, creating
solutions, implementation of solutions by
means of customising or developing software
• deepen understanding of the theory & practice
of allied information systems
Educational Approach
• 1 year full time or 2 years part time
• 8 taught modules in total
o Semester 1: 4 core modules (2 for part time)
o Semester 2: choose 4 out of 5 options
(2 out of 3 for part time schedule)
• Each module has three hours class contact per
week, plus scheduled tutorial sessions
• Lectures, group and individual project work
• Dissertation project, presented in September,
involves full-time work on a real management
problem, generally with an Irish company.
It is worth one third of the degree.
Core Subjects
• Semester 1
– Quantitative Methods
– Numerical Analytics and Software
– Project Management and Decision Analytics
– Applied Probability and Statistics
• Semester 2: Choose 4 modules from 5 options
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Analytical Business Modelling
Simulation Modelling and Analysis
Network Software Modelling
Decision Support and Business Intelligence
Data Mining Models and Techniques
• Dissertation
Recent Dissertations
• Quantum Inspired Genetic Algorithms and
Grammatical Evolution
• A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Tool for
Assessment of Academic Workloads
• The integration of Decision Science techniques
into E-Commerce Optimisation
• Integrating Agent Based Modelling into a
Discrete Event Simulation
• Swarm Intelligence Optimisation of Time
Capacitated Arc Routing Problems
• Cellular network optimisation
• An Examination of the Utility of the Bacterial
Foraging Algorithm
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) at the Director’s discretion
• Two Academic References / One Employer
Reference for part-time applicants
• English Language Test (i.e. TOEFL or IELTS) for
graduates whose undergraduate degree was
not taught through English
Careers
Careers in:
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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, Distinct Consulting
• Industry: Intel, Dell, Cartrawler
• Software: eontec.com, Murex
• Operations research: Aer Lingus, Revenue
Research Inc, E.on
• Financial services: A.I.B., J.P. Morgan,
ABN AMRO, Goldman Sachs, First Derivatives
Name Change
• The MSc in Business Analytics was previously
known as the Master of Management Science
(MMangtSc or MMS) from 1974 to 2008
• Similar structure, also NDP funded
• Subjects upgraded to reflect recent trends
• A New Business Model for Education:
o More focus on relationships with employers
o Part-time emphasis: afternoon / evening
lectures
o Focus on Services (Financial, Retail, etc.)
as well as Manufacturing etc applications .
For more information:
MSc in Business Analytics
Programme Manager: Ms Annmarie Connolly
Tel:
(01) 716 8075
Email:
analytics@ucd.ie
Website: www.smurfitschool.ie/businessanalytics
•Programme Director
Dr. Seán McGarraghy Sean.McGarraghy@ucd.ie
•Alternative academic contacts
Dr. Peter Keenan Peter.Keenan@ucd.ie
Prof. Cathal M.Brugha Cathal.Brugha@ucd.ie
Application Process
• 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 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.
When to Apply?
• No strict deadline but this may change.
We suggest applying by early April.
• Applications are reviewed as they arrive, so
delay is costly.
• Non-EU applicants need time to arrange a visa.
• Support documentation (References, Transcripts,
GMAT/GRE Scores if needed, etc.) should be
submitted as soon as possible or by mid-July to
the Admissions Office in the Smurfit School
When to Expect a Decision?
• Immediate offers for very strong complete
applications.
• Immediate but conditional offers for strong but
incomplete applications (e.g., undergraduate
degree exams not yet done), with final decisions
made upon receipt of all required items.
• Decisions for most applications in June or July.
Any Questions