University of Sydney Handbooks - 2021 Archive

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Business Analytics

Business Analytics introduces students to the quantitative methods they will need to thrive in the modern business world. Business Analytics is concerned with using business data to develop new insights and understanding. This involves being able to extract and summarise information from the rich data sets readily available in today's business environment; to analyse this data in a way that leads to useful models of both the operations and the environment of a business; and to respond appropriately as managers to quantitative information and quantitative models, and as such be able to make better business decisions.

As well as being useful in their own right, these skills in business analytics also enhance the effectiveness in the workplace of graduates majoring in other business disciplines. A range of electives is offered to allow students to select topics in business statistics, in machine learning, in operations management and in decision sciences.

Options for studying Business Analytics

Business Analytics is available as Table A major and minor options in the Bachelor of Commerce, the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Advanced Computing and Bachelor of Commerce.

The Business Analytics major and minor are also available to students not enrolled in a Commerce degree through the shared pool (Table S) - see the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook for details.

Please note. Students cannot complete both a major and a minor in Business Analytics for their degree.

Pathways through the major and minor

The requirements for a major/minor in Business Analytics are spread out over three years of the degree (four years if students are completing a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree).

(i) Business Analytics major

To achieve a major in Business Analytics, students must complete 48 credit points comprising:

  • 12 credit points in 1000-level core units of study;
  • 18 credit points in 2000-level core units of study;
  • 6 credit points in 3000-level core units of study; and
  • 12 credit points in 3000-level selective units of study.

A sample pathway for the Business Analytics major (over three years of a degree) is listed below:

Note: All units listed are worth 6 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in this table.

Year Session Units of study
First Semester 1 Core: BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis *
Semester 2 Core: QBUS1040 Foundations of Business Analytics
Second Semester 1 Core: QBUS2810 Statistical Modelling for Business
Semester 2 Core: QBUS2310 Management Science
Third Semester 1 Core: QBUS2820 Predictive Analytics Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major
Semester 2 Core: QBUS3600 Business Analytics in Practice ** Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major

* This unit is also degree core for the Bachelor of Commerce and related combined degrees.

** Capstone unit for the major – completed in the final semester of study for that major. This unit of study must be completed at the University of Sydney Business School.

For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Business Analytics section of the unit of study table, Table A in this handbook.


Students can also refer to the University's Current Students website for progression examples for specific major/minor combinations for their degree.

(ii) Business Analytics minor

To achieve a minor in Business Analytics, students must complete 36 credit points comprising:

  • 12 credit points in 1000-level core units of study;
  • 18 credit points in 2000-level core units of study; and
  • 6 credit points in 3000-level selective units of study.

A sample pathway for the Business Analytics minor (over three years of a degree) is listed below.

Note: All units listed are worth 6 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in this table.

Year Session Units of study
First Semester 1 Core: BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis *
Semester 2 Core: QBUS1040 Foundations of Business Analytics
Second Semester 1 Core: QBUS2810 Statistical Modelling for Business
Semester 2 Core: QBUS2310 Management Science
Third Semester 1 Core: QBUS2820 Predictive Analytics
Semester 2 Selective: 3000-level unit listed for minor

* This unit is also degree core for the Bachelor of Commerce and related combined degrees.

For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Business Analytics section of the unit of study table, Table A in this handbook.


Students can also refer to the University's Current Students website for progression examples for specific major/minor combinations for their degree.

Bachelor of Advanced Studies with Honours in Business Analytics

Note. Honours in Business Analytics commences in semester one; there is no mid-year intake.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced studies who complete a major in Business Analytics with a weighted average mark of 70% (within the first three years of their degree) may be eligible to complete honours in Business Analytics as their fourth year of study in this combined degree program. Students will need to have completed any requirements of their degree not satisfied with the completion of honours (including both majors, all core units, all Open Learning Environment units, and any elective units as necessary to ensure they meet degree requirements) by the end of their third year of study to proceed to honours in their fourth year of study. The available units of study for Honours in Business Analytics are listed in Table A Honours units of study.

For details of the requirements for admission, completion and the criteria for the awarding of honours, please refer to the Degree and Faculty resolutions.


A sample pathway for the Honours in Business Analytics (the final year of the combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies OR Bachelor of Advanced Studies) is listed below.

Note: All units listed are worth 6 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Year Session Units of study
Fourth / First Semester 1 Core: BUSS4001 Business Honours Research Methods (12 credit points) Core: BUSS4312 Business Analytics Honours A Core: BUSS4313 Business Analytics Honours B
Semester 2 Core: BUSS4104 Business Honours Thesis (24 credit points)

For details of the units of study required for honours please refer to the Business Analytics Honours section of Table A in this handbook.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Business Analytics major students will be able to:

No. Mid-Level Learning Outcomes
1 Apply key theories and concepts in business analytics to make sound business decisions.
2  Utilise and identify limitations of various analytical and statistical tools and techniques in analysing business data.
3  Critically evaluate information, data and research from a range of academic sources and media, use appropriate terminology, and apply adequate statistical reporting methods in oral and written communication.
4  Explain current trends in business analytics and their implications for various stakeholders.
5  Apply business knowledge from various disciplines to enable effective analyses of business data and to inform and improve decision-making for project management.
6  Program by using contemporary software and applying appropriate business analytics knowledge and techniques.
7  Statistically measure and analyse relationships between business variables via a range of quantitative models and methods.
8  Predict the future behaviour of relevant business variables using various business analytics techniques.
9  Collaborate effectively as a professional team member by valuing and supporting contributions from diverse perspectives in regards to business analytics problems.

Further information

For further information regarding study in business analytics at the University of Sydney, please refer to the Discipline of Business Analytics.