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.
Who uses Business Analytics?
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 is this MSc designed for?
• Graduates of:
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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
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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’s
Electricity 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:
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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:
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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, 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
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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.
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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.
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 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”
When to Apply?
• 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 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, language test required),
with final decisions made upon receipt of all
required items.
• Decisions for most applications by June or July.
For more information:
MSc in Business Analytics
Programme Manager: Ms Annmarie Connolly
Tel:
(01) 716 8075
Email:
annmarie.connolly@ucd.ie
Website: www.smurfitschool.ie/businessanalytics
•Programme Director
Dr. James McDermott James.McDermott2@ucd.ie
•Alternative academic contacts
Dr. Peter Keenan Peter.Keenan@ucd.ie
Dr. Seán McGarraghy Sean.McGarraghy@ucd.ie