Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

Business leaders equipped with the analytical skills needed to extract meaning from complex data sets, and translate this meaning into actionable insights, are highly sought after in the global workplace. To inform strategic decisions, and remain competitive, businesses must leverage the insights contained in the large volumes of data produced both within the business and in the broader business environment. One of the benefits of data analytics is the ability to collate and fuse multiple streams of secondary data, many passively collected, in order to better understand business processes, customer demands, relationships between multiple agents.

This foundation unit provides the fundamental skills needed to progress in data analytics. Students are able to identify business opportunities where quantitative analysis is beneficial, gain practical experience in the use of different sophisticated analytical tools and techniques (such as R, Python, STATA, SAS, Tableau), identify appropriate analytical methods (such as predictive modelling, simulation, optimisation, clustering and pattern recognition) for business situations, communicate analytical findings in a non-technical way, and translate these findings into business actions.

Topics include data integrity, data visualisation, predictive modelling, classification (logistic regression, ANN, random forest), clustering (k-means), forecasting, discrete event and generic simulation, and optimisation.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)Face to face
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) analyse situations and opportunities where complex quantitative analysis will contribute to business innovations and decisions; (2) identify appropriate analytical approaches to enhance business operations and opportunities in the broad areas of accounting and finance, economics, marketing, and management; (3) analyse large and complex data sets using sophisticated analytical tools and techniques; (4) communicate complex analytical ideas and findings in a meaningful and easily understood way for a broad business audience; and (5) integrate business analytics into multiple levels of decision making (strategic, tactical, operational).

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quizzes; (2) assignment 1; and (3) assignment 2. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Apphia Jin (S1); Dr Farhad Mohammad & Apphia Jin (S2)
Contact hours
Standard Semester: lectures/tutorials/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.