Business Analytics MSc

Royal Holloway, University of London

This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.

The aim of this module is to explore the notion of analytic thinking from a design perspective and explore how it is embodied in modern programming languages and platforms to solve a range of business problems. The module offers a design-led approach to analytic thinking equipping you with a practical understanding of the common languages and platforms necessary to make that thinking an operational reality. You will gather a programming language-level understanding of business analytics exploring one programming language in detail.

The module aims to employ business analytics skills to real life business problems and to create unique and original solutions to practice-based problems whilst learning to work with others in a collaborative environment using industry-based datasets.. You will challenge interpretations of data modelling and provide a context for the application of subject domain knowledge. Learning experiences are co-created in small, authentic learning environments, where you are encouraged to explore different interpretations and how they may introduce bias or be used to better understand and promote inclusivity and diversity.

In this module you will develop an understanding of the principles and practices of gathering information and how it can be synthesised and used in a strategic context. You will look at the key channels and sources that may be used to gather information, and examine how internal and external information is used in organisations. You will consider the 'Big Data' revolution, and the challenge that the exponential rise of external information presents to businesses as they attempt to make sense of it. You will learn how to identify patterns and trends for decision making, as well as modelling future activities.

This module aims to develop knowledge and skills in cloud computing and its application to modern day business problems. The emphasis is on generating unique web applications using architectures and cloud services that are commonly employed in industry. Students will gain knowledge of the architecture and operation of cloud platforms and the services they provide, how cloud solutions are employed by organisations in practice and the scaling, security and transitioning issues that arise in deployment. This understanding is reinforced practically via hands on experience of developing a prototype cloud service using a commercially available platform.

This module brings together the knowledge and skills you?ve learnt across the programme. You are expected to use your consulting skills to articulate a business problem in a manner that will then allow you to apply knowledge of business analytics to provide a solution - planning and managing the work, identifying the data sources and methods appropriate to conduct the work; identifying potential pitfalls and contingencies; developing and evaluating a data analytics-based solution and constructing an effective argument in doing so.

This module aims to equip you with a state-of-the-art understanding of the digital business landscape and the opportunities and challenges in starting and managing a digital business The module covers foundational management concepts as well as contemporary digital business innovations. Learning is through interactive lectures and a series of carefully curated case studies of digital innovation and digital transformation projects. The module places an emphasis on the strategic role of digital technologies in securing competitive advantage and sustainable growth, but you'll also be encouraged to dive deep into specific impact of digital technologies on business operations.

This module aims to develop advanced practical skills for managers in the use of machine learning algorithms and predictive analytics for the analysis of large datasets. You will learn about the potential biases that machine learning can introduce and reinforce in doing so. The module is primarily focused on the needs of managers in the workplace and not computer programmers. You will be taught using industry main-stream data science and machine learning platforms and languages and be using different publicly available industry datasets and data sources.

This module aims to provide you with theoretical and practical guidance on empirical research and consulting related to business analytics challenges in an organisational setting. The emphasis is placed on analytical thinking, qualitative and quantitative research skills and consulting practice to prepare you for your consulting project. The module covers a range of topics from research approaches suitable for business analytics, quantitative and qualitative methods in collecting/harvesting and analysing data, innovations in digital research methods, consulting skills and ethical considerations in conducting research related to business analytics.

This module focuses on the social and ethical implications of digital transformation and innovation, examining the technological innovations in private and public sectors, such as mobile technologies, social media, datafication and artificial intelligence. We will discuss the impact and consequences of digital transformation for individuals, organisations and societies in a global context, with particular reference to UN?s sustainable development goals. You?ll be introduced to the research and frameworks of Sustainable Development and Responsible Innovation and learn to apply the knowledge in relation to the design, implementation and adoption of digital transformation. With an emphasis on critical thinking, the module will be research-led, drawing on up-to-date academic literature and case studies, with the emphasis on supporting students as active learners, knowledge co-creators and distributors.