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Data Analytics for International Business

  • Module code: BB4409
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 4
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module is about managing business information. This not only requires various mathematical techniques such as statistical measures, but also is highly dependent on information technology (IT) for the gathering, summarising and communicating of this information. Mathematics and information technology are mutually dependent business topics. One would not use mathematics in business without the support of IT, and application software such as spreadsheets and databases are only used effectively with an appreciation of their underlying mathematical dependence. The module will be delivered using a problem-centric approach emphasising the application of mathematical techniques with the aid of information technology, and the employability skills associated with these.

Aims

  • To enable students to appreciate, understand and use the mutual dependency of mathematics and information technology in solving business problems
  • To familiarise students with mathematics techniques, and to help them appreciate how an understanding of various interrelated mathematical topics is essential in business
  • To familiarise students with common business software packages, and to help them appreciate how an understanding of their collective use is essential in business and in supporting business problem-solving
  • To increase the confidence of students so that they are willing and able to communicate using information technology and mathematics

 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Understand and use mathematical techniques to solve business problems
  • Describe how business organisations use IT and mathematics in order to function more effectively and sustainably
  • Use IT-based models to analyse data and information using appropriately chosen technology, such as web pages, spreadsheets or databases
  • Describe how IT is used to communicate solutions to business problems

Curriculum content

  • Fundamental mathematical abstractions such as sets, relations and functions, and their importance when using software
  • Representing information in application software such as spreadsheets, databases and on the internet
  • Analysing data using descriptive statistics
  • Using application software models to analyse business problems and to communicate their solution

Teaching and learning strategy

Each week students will receive three hours of scheduled learning and teaching. The sessions will be interactive and include a mix of teacher-led learning, problem-solving and student-led learning. The underlying philosophy of this module is that mathematics and information technology are not mutually exclusive topics in the business world, but are, in fact, mutually dependent subjects that support efficient and effective business problem-solving and the day-to-day running of a business. Therefore, the sessions will cover both topics using a problem-centric approach where associated employability skills will be highlighted.

Due to the experiential nature of the learning on this degree, and the importance of professional development enabling students to develop practical skills, learn from and interact with others, attendance is essential.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching 22 three-hour interactive laboratory teaching sessions 66
Guided independent study Review and preparation for lectures and workshops (66 hours) Independent work and preparation for practical exams via practical exercises, formative quizzes and reading (138 hours) Professional Excel Exam preparation (30 hours) 234
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

Every session will provide ample opportunities for practice and formative feedback. The students will work on a business-related problem in groups, and will receive feedback both from their peers and from the academic delivering the session. Summative assessment will be through coursework and practical exams.

The assessment is:

  • Individual in-class assessments (practical exams) (75%) This is a series of short-answer, in-class assessments and tasks scheduled throughout the year to provide students with opportunities to get rapid feedback and opportunities to feed this forward to subsequent learning. An early assessment in the first teaching block will support students' immediate engagement with the module.
  • Individual infographic project (25%). Students will produce an infographic based on the international market specified for the International Marketing module group presentation.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
Understand and use mathematical techniques to solve business problems Data Analysis and Modelling practical exam, Infographic project
Describe how business organisations use IT and mathematics in order to function more effectively and sustainably Data Analysis and Modelling practical exam and Data Query and Web Tools practical exams and infographic project
Use IT-based models to analyse data and information using appropriately chosen technology, such as web pages, spreadsheets or databases Data Query and Web Tools practical exam, Data Analysis and Modelling practical exam and infographic project
Describe how IT is used to communicate solutions to business problems Data Query and Web Tools practical exam

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Data Analysis and Modelling Practical Exam 25
Infographic Project Coursework 25
Data Query and Web Tools Practical Exam 50
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Wall, S., Quantitative Methods for Business and Management, Pearson.

Bibliography recommended reading

Morris, C. Quantitative Approaches in Business Studies. Financial Times/Prentice Hall.

Croft, A., and Davison, R. Foundation Maths. Prentice Hall.

Holzschlag, M. E. Spring into HTML and CSS. Addison-Wesley.

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