Course Description Document
Course Title Business Analytics and Management Science
Course Code 8516
Award Title Master of Science (MSc)
Awarding Body University of Southampton
Teaching Institution University of Southampton
Regulated by Office for Students
Accreditation Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
(AACSB)
Regulations The Regulations of the University can be found on the University's
Governance Webpages:
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/governance/regulations-
policies
Location of study Southampton
Length of the course 12 Months
Tuition Fees Fees for students can be located by the student fees page.
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/money-matters/
student-fees/index.page
Course Overview
Analytics has become increasingly important in the business world as organizations have access to vast
amount of data. With businesses become increasingly digital, data is being collected at an increasing
rate. Customer databases, web logs, attitudinal surveys and transactional databases, mobile phone
activities, transportation and other data sources all contribute to companies and organizations collecting
and holding more data than ever before. By exploiting this data, organizations are better able to make
evidence-based decisions to sustain continuous improvements and gain insights to inform critical
business decisions. Business analytics skills are needed to transform the data into actionable insights
using mathematical and computer models. The needs of skills in business analytics both nationally and
globally have led organisations to an increasing need in attracting and retaining people with business
analytics skills. The MSc Business Analytics and Management Sciences (BAMS) offers modules that
develop the much needed business analytics skills.
The compulsory modules provide you with core business analytics skills (data visualisation and
descriptive analytics, predictive analytics and prescriptive analytics). You can then customise your study
by choosing optional modules. The optional modules have been designed so that you can learn advanced
business analytics skills or learn how the core business analytics skills can be applied to solve specific
business problems in supply chain, digital marketing, finance, risk, project or strategic management.
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The programme is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB),
which is an internationally recognised award of excellence in business education.
Aims of the Course
This programme is designed to provide training and education in the application of the concepts,
techniques, methods and approaches of business analytics and management sciences in practical
organisational contexts.
The aims of the programme are to:
•meet the needs of business and industry for numerate graduates with a broad spectrum of skills, ranging
from technical mathematical and computer modelling skills to softer skills such as communication and
system thinking;
•provide a broad and practical training in the application of the concepts and techniques of business
analytics and management science in organisational and managerial contexts;
•appreciate and understand the methods of business analytics and management science, sufficient to
serve as a basis for undertaking further research in the discipline or for applying the skills you have
learned on a real-world project or a project that is based on a real-world case.
Course Structure
The tables below provide a list of the modules that make up your course.
Each module is worth a specified number of credits: you can take a combination of core and compulsory
modules enabling you to cover key subject knowledge. Some courses have option modules which enable
you to develop your own interests.
Your programme requires a certain number of credits. The number of option modules you can take
depends on the number of core and compulsory modules and this is also influenced by the requirements
of the regulatory requirements for professionally accredited courses. Some courses also have pre and co-
requisites, and these are included in individual module information.
Your learning will be led by the latest research, and modules can change periodically to reflect
developments in the discipline. You can always find the most up-to-date information about your modules
and who is teaching them via the information on our webpages and, post enrolment, via the Faculty hub.
If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an option module, it may not be offered. If an
option module will not be run, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative
module.
The core and compulsory modules available on your course are as follows:
Part I
Typical course content
There are a range of compulsory and optional modules on this MSc in Business Analytics and
Management Sciences. Compulsory modules provide a balanced grounding in the skills of these
disciplines. Optional modules provide opportunities to broaden understanding or to specialise in specific
areas.
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Programme details
A flexible and inclusive approach to learning and teaching will enable any student who meets the entry
requirements to access the curriculum and demonstrate achievement of all the intended learning
outcomes. This approach should minimise the need for individual alternations to be made for disabled
students; however, where reasonable, individual adjustments are likely to be needed this should be
specified.
The first nine months of the programme are in ‘taught’ mode. This period is divided into two semesters,
each followed by examinations. In the following description, the term “module” is taken to mean a
discrete component of the programme with its own learning outcomes and assessment requirements. All
modules are at Master’s level.
The taught part of the programme consists of modules worth 60 ECTS points (120 CATS points) in total.
The Business School provides all the compulsory modules, worth 22.5 ECTS points (45 CATS) in total. As
for the optional modules, those with a MANG code are provided by the Business School, and those with a
MATH code are by the Operational Research Group in Mathematical Sciences. The options are shared
with other Master’s programmes within the Business School and Mathematical Sciences. Due to
timetabling restrictions, not all combinations of these options may be available in any given year.
On successful completion of the taught part of the programme, a dissertation worth 30 ECTS points (60
CATS points) is undertaken during the final three months of the programme. All dissertations tackle
relevant problems dealing with the topics covered during the preceding semesters, whether they be
based on internal dissertation or external summer projects. Both external summer project and internal
dissertation project are based on the concept of bringing together the taught elements to tackle a
problem of genuine concern either to the participating business or industrial organisation (i.e. external
summer project) or to the organisation in the case study (i.e. internal dissertation project). The typical
topics for internal dissertation projects can be found in the module profile. For those who plan to do a
PhD may choose a more research-oriented topic. The external projects are set up with an outside
organisation. The companies, are carefully vetted and agreed by the Business School’s Industrial Liaison
Officers and the Programme Leader before being presented to you.
Programme enrichment
Seminars: Speakers from a wide range of organisations provide insight into how business analytics and
operational research is used in their organisation, and highlight areas that are of topical interest. BAMS
students are welcome to attend CORMSIS seminar series which mainly on cutting-edge research topics,
many of which are related to BAMS.
Project Skills sessions: Sessions will be provided on skills required for the summer projects. In addition,
there is a teamworking session provided in addition to the standard School Induction programme.
Students will have access to a range of learning and welfare services offered by the Business School and
the University (see Support for student learning).
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Part I Compulsory Semester 1
Code Module Title ECT Type
S
MANG6046 Optimisation and Decision Modelling 7.5 Compulsory
MANG6122 Simulation 7.5 Compulsory
Part I Core Semester 1
Code Module Title ECT Type
S
MANG6513 Foundation of Business Analytics and Management Science 7.5 Core
Part I Optional Core
Select 1 module from the following, once selected the module will become core.
Code Module Title ECT Type
S
MANG6545 Dissertation (Analytics) 30 Optional/Core
MANG6546 Summer Project 30 Optional/Core
Part I Optional Semester 1
Select 1 module (7.5ECTS/15CATS):
Code Module Title ECT Type
S
MANG6577 Marketing in the Digital Age for Business 7.5 Optional
MANG6542 Computational Methods for Logistics 7.5 Optional
MANG6515 Managing Complexity, Uncertainty and Subjectivity 7.5 Optional
MANG6182 Principles of Risk Management 7.5 Optional
MATH6182 Python for Business and Marketing 7.5 Optional
Part I Optional Semester 2
Select 30ECTS/60CATS:
Code Module Title ECT Type
S
MANG6554 Advanced Analytics 7.5 Optional
MANG6555 Behavioural Operations 7.5 Optional
MANG6526 Data Analytics and Organisational Decision Making 7.5 Optional
MATH6017 Financial Portfolio Theory 3.75 Optional
MANG6537 Project Management 7.5 Optional
MANG6143 Project Risk Management 7.5 Optional
MANG6008 Quantitative Research in Finance 7.5 Optional
MATH6146 Revenue Management 3.75 Optional
Learning and Teaching
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning, and assessment activity, with
each ECTS credit taken equivalent to 20 hours of student effort. While your actual contact hours may
depend on the option modules you select, the information available on our webpages give an indication of
how much time you will need to allocate to different activities.
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When not attending lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue
learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books,
working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework
assignments and presentations, and for other types of assessments and examinations.
Full information about contact hours is provided in individual module information.
How we'll assess you
Your course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before
you complete the formal assessments that count towards your module mark. Each module normally
contains at least one piece of practice or formative assessment for which you receive feedback.
Formative assessments are developmental, and any results do not count towards your module mark, but
they are an important part of your learning.
Summative assessments usually take place at the end of each module, although some may have interim
assessments throughout. Assessment methods might include written examinations and a range of
coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and projects for
example. The marks from summative assessments count towards your module mark.
The information available on our website gives an indication of the assessment methods used on your
course.
Staff involved in delivering the different elements of the
course
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched
to the content of the modules on your course. The team includes senior academics, professional
practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.
Postgraduate research students who have undertaken appropriate training may also contribute to the
teaching of seminars if their research specialism is directly related to the topic of the module and may
also be involved in practical classes, project work and field trips. All contributions will be carried out
under the supervision of the module leader.
Fees
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.
Extra costs you may experience
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may
also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Depending on the nature of your course, you may be able to choose modules which may have additional
costs, such as field studies, travel overseas or industrial placements which will change the overall cost of
your course. Details of these costs can be found in module information.
Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the Fees, Charges and Expenses
Regulations.
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The following course-related costs are not included in your fees:
Type Details
Calculators Where a calculator is required, all Casio Calculators are allowed but they
must be Non-Programmable, Scientific models. More information is
available in the Examination Regulations
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/assessment/assess-
overview/exam-regulations.page
Stationery You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g.
pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items that you may
need will be specified in the relevant module profile.
Textbooks Where a module specifies essential texts, the Library will identify the
optimal option(s) to support the module via the course Reading List. This
may include e-books (ideally with unlimited concurrent usage) or a
digitised chapter extract, supported by a limited number of print books
(where available). You may request that the Library purchases additional
print copies via 'suggest a book', borrow an additional copy via our inter-
library-loans service or you may prefer to buy your own copies for high
demand titles.
Printing In most cases, written coursework such as essays and projects are
submitted online. However it may be necessary to submit a hard copy of
some projects, business projects and dissertations. The costs of printing a
hard copy for submission of such work will be your responsibility. You will
also have to cover the cost of photocopying.
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/students/printing.
Optional Visits (e.g. Some modules may include optional visits t. You will normally be expected
museums, galleries) to cover the cost of travel and admission, unless otherwise specified in the
module profile.
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented
backgrounds.
You may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs.
If you are a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
Financial Support
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice regarding student finances. You may be able to
access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course. You can find
more information about financial support via our webpages:
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/money-matters/student-support-fund/index.page
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Academic support
The Student Support Hub is your first point of contact when it comes to seeking support. The team will
answer your questions or concerns about your wellbeing, fees and funding, accommodation and
visas. The team will help make sure you receive the support you need, guiding you to further support
services where required. You can find more information about student support via our webpages:
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/index.page
One of the most important people you will meet while you are a student at Southampton is your Personal
Academic Tutor, who will be allocated to you for your arrival at the University and who is normally a
member of academic staff in your own or a closely related subject area. Your Personal Academic Tutor will
offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your time at Southampton and will support you in your
studies or with other issues you may have. You can find out more via our webpages:
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/academic-support-guidance/personal-tutor.page
Disclaimer
As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality
enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, this course may be revised during a student's
period of registration; however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student
should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how
changes may be made to a student's course.
