BAN5650

Description

The goal of this course is to cultivate students' capability to apply data analytics, decision support modeling, and artificial intelligence to real-world industry decision problems shaped by complex market dynamics, regulatory environments, and competing resource demands. Students will develop a robust framework for quantitative decision making and effective resource allocation under uncertainty, while learning how to leverage AI tools to enhance every stage of the analytics process. The course emphasizes three core areas: (1) Identification and collection of relevant data for analysis; (2) Selection and application of appropriate analytical models and techniques, augmented by AI for coding, debugging, data exploration, and insight generation; (3) Structuring decision problems with strategic alignment, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and risk-while using AI to generate and evaluate innovative use cases grounded in stakeholder needs. By the end of the semester, students will be able to: assess the business context and apply business analytics skills, supported by AI tools, to managerial decision problems; structure and implement complex decision analyses, using AI to assist with coding, debugging, result analysis, and comparison of alternatives; select appropriate data and analytical methods, build and refine models with AI assistance, and develop improved use cases based on stakeholder requirements; apply project management principles and tools to the completion of complex analyses and present and defend their analyses and recommended investment programs.