Business analytics and visualisation focuses on uncovering business insights hidden in massive datasets using statistical models and algorithms. Visualisation is the vital component of analysing data and communicating insights to stakeholders. The unit equips students with foundational knowledge in business analytics and visualisation to be able to analyse business data, convert insights into business decisions and communicate results to stakeholders. Using open source software (R and Python), students are exposed to a range of business analytics approaches and algorithms, including tidy data presentation, various data wrangling approaches, data storytelling and visualisation basics. Using project workflow and working with real world data, students learn how to work with different datatypes, build and evaluate models, develop data visualisation and communicate insights to stakeholders.

Unit details

Location:
Study level:
Postgraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
BCO7000

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Critically analyse the role of business analytics in supporting decision making in a modern organisation, with a focus of working with different data formats and data wrangling techniques;  
  2. Investigate and assess different analytics solutions in open source environments (R/Python) to develop effective visualisations;  
  3. Evaluate analytics models to uncover hidden patterns in business data and understand relationships between variables;  
  4. Deconstruct and exemplify data communication strategies through reproducible reporting and collaborative practices with version control Git/Github; and,  
  5. Exemplify creative and innovative problem-solving of complex professional challenges through the application of data analytics in the business domain.  

Assessment

Melbourne campuses

Students studying under the VU Block Model.

Assessment type Description Grade
Test Practical exercises (5%, 10%, 10%) 25%
Assignment Data Analytics Project: a Kaggle style data analysis (data wrangling, modelling and visualisation) 35%
Report Research report (30%) and Presentation (10%) (Working with a real-world data to develop and evaluate a data model) - Group 40%

Other locations

Assessment type Description Grade
Assignment Role of business analytics to support decision making processes 10%
Assignment Data Analytics Project using Kaggle for analysis and presentation (data wrangling) 40%
Report Research report (Working with a real-world data to develop and evaluate a data model) 50%

Where to next?

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.

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