B. A. A. Business Analytics - NEW
B. A. A. Business Analytics - NEW
Professional title: Bachelor of Applied Arts
Turn your passion for data into a career in business analytics - where data meets innovation! Welcome to the undergraduate program in business analytics - where data-driven decision-making meets business strategy!
In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, companies generate a vast amount of data. The challenge is to transform this data into valuable insights that can lead to successful business decisions. This is where the undergraduate program in business analytics comes into play.
Our program is designed to provide students with the skills needed to analyse, interpret, and apply data for making informed decisions in a business context. You will learn fundamental concepts and techniques of data analysis, including statistics, data mining, machine learning, and predictive modelling. You will also gain practical experience with the latest tools and technologies for data analysis.
But we don't stop there. Our program also emphasizes the business side of analytics. You will learn how to use data for strategic decision-making, optimize business processes, and identify new opportunities. You will gain an understanding of business models, marketing, finance, and other key areas essential for success in the modern business world.
Experienced professionals from the business environment will be with you, bringing real-world experiences and knowledge into the classroom. You will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge through real projects and case studies, providing you with the practical experience necessary for success in your future career.
The program is designed for you to develop skills and acquire knowledge for success in the exciting and rapidly growing field of data-driven business. With an emphasis on critical thinking, communication, ethics, and technical skills, students will be well-prepared to make data-driven decisions that ensure long-term competitive advantage and success for the company.
After graduation, you will be well-prepared for a career in various industries, including finance, marketing, consulting, etc. You will possess the skills and knowledge needed to make data-driven decisions, which is a crucial support for the success of your future employers.
Join us in the undergraduate program in business analytics and start building your career in the exciting field of data-driven business!
Business Analytics higher education programme is rated at 180 ECTS credits.
Curriculum
1st YEAR
| BUSINESS ENGLISH | (7 ECTS) |
| With a focus on communication skills for both domestic and international environments, students will be capable of successfully engaging with various interest groups, leading business meetings, and negotiating in business English. Using formal language, students will prepare business documents, presentations for a global audience, and analyse authentic business texts. Throughout the course, you will develop key skills necessary for success in the international business environment. | |
| INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS ANALYTICS | (8 ECTS) |
| Introduction to Business Analytics is a dynamic and content-rich course that provides students with a comprehensive insight into key aspects of analytics in the business environment. Students will develop fundamental knowledge of posing key questions to achieve a strategic advantage for the company, defining key performance indicators, and understanding and managing the data that the company handles. Emphasizing practical skills, you will learn analytical tools such as Excel and Power BI and acquire skills in data visualization for informed decision-making. | |
| MANAGEMENT | (7 ECTS) |
| Management is an intensive and interdisciplinary course, focusing on the fundamental managerial functions in a modern organization. It also addresses key issues related to information technology, the balanced scorecard system, global management, and organizational design for goal achievement. Students will develop competencies for analysis, synthesis, and flexible application of knowledge in practice, managing organizational changes, and leading, organizing, and training employees. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to critically understand the importance of management, effectively apply models and tools, and evaluate business performance in practice. | |
| BUSINESS ECONOMICS | (8 ECTS) |
| Business Economics is a key course that provides students with a deep insight into the financial aspects of business operations. Focusing on costs, revenues, sales price calculation, operating profit, and the analysis of assets and liabilities, students will gain fundamental knowledge and skills for effective economic management of a company. You will be able to conduct a business performance analysis, use performance indicators, and perform cause-and-effect analyses within the company. Additionally, you will learn to compare data over different time intervals and among different companies and act based on the results of analyses. | |
| BUSINESS MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS | (7 ECTS) |
| Business Mathematics and Statistics is a dynamic course that opens the doors to the world of precise and practical tools for solving complex business challenges. Students will gain fundamental knowledge in real mathematical analysis, basic economics, probability theory, and basic matrix algebra, which will become indispensable tools for solving complex business problems. By the end of the course, you will not only master the basics of business mathematics but also understand how mathematical and statistical methods support decision-making processes in the business environment. By connecting theory with real business scenarios, you will develop practical skills that will enable you to effectively address complex challenges in the business world. | |
| COST AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING | (8 ECTS) |
| Cost and Financial Accounting reveal the fascinating field of designing and interpreting accounting information in the business environment. With this course, you will master the fundamental principles and practices of accounting and learn to create, communicate, and visualize internal information with an emphasis on business decision-making. Through training in Business Intelligence (BI) tools for internal decision-makers, you will develop the skills needed to create clear, concise, and effective analyses. The skills you will develop also include understanding the internal control system for data accuracy and developing communication skills to clearly explain analyses based on accounting information. | |
| KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI) IN MARKETING AND SALES | (7 ECTS) |
| Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in Marketing and Sales reveal the dynamic environment of measurements crucial for the success of modern organizations. In this course, you will develop the ability to understand, design, and use marketing metrics and measurement systems. With practical examples from various industries, you will learn to create smart goals, KPIs, and measurements tailored to the specific needs of companies. Additionally, you will explore the digital marketing world, become familiar with key digital marketing tools, and learn to use and interpret Google Analytics. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to independently select and apply appropriate metrics for marketing and sales decisions in modern organizations. | |
| DATA MANAGEMENT 1 | (8 ECTS) |
| Data Management 1 will reveal the importance of data analysis for contemporary businesses. With this course, you will master the basics of relational databases, learn SQL programming, and understand key concepts of data model normalization. You will develop the ability to design data warehouses, understand their structures and population, and gain knowledge of data security in these warehouses. The course also includes a comparison of local and cloud data warehouses, providing you with a holistic insight into modern data management. Upon completion of the course, you will have mastered the basic skills of planning data warehouses and understanding how to choose and implement the right solution for analysing different types of data. | |
2nd YEAR
| FINANCE | (7 ECTS) |
| Finance is a crucial tool in business analytics, providing insight into the health and performance of a company. This course reveals fundamental concepts of business finance related to business analytics, such as risk measurement, investment returns, time value of money, and financial statement analysis. With this knowledge, you will be able to conduct company performance analyses using financial indicators, contributing to a better understanding of the business environment, and facilitating informed decision-making based on information. Basics of working capital management, project management, and innovative thinking are key elements you will need to become an expert in business analytics, prepared for the challenges of the modern business world. | |
| DATA MANAGEMENT 2 | (8 ECTS) |
| Data Management 2 opens the doors to advanced dimensions of data analysis, focusing on data warehouses for non-relational sources. Students will explore concepts of data lakes, data marts, and tackle the complexity of different data structures such as SDF, TXT, JSON, and PARQUET. With this knowledge, you will be able to efficiently implement data warehouse loading processes using the ELT method. The course also provides insight into multidimensional and tabular databases, as well as the use of the DAX programming language for queries in tabular collections. Students will acquire skills in modelling data warehouses, understanding dimensional tables, and planning and implementing complex DWH solutions. The ability to track data flow and understand models where the purpose of data usage is not yet known is crucial for successful data analysis. | |
| BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT | (7 ECTS) |
| Business Process Management reveals the world of effective management and improvement of business processes, placed in the context of modern business analytics concepts. Students will gain fundamental knowledge of modelling and simulating business processes with the BPM standard, mastering technologies for monitoring and measuring process flow, and learning approaches, methods, and tools for decision support analytics. Through case studies, students will gain insights into real situations and effective solutions in the business environment. Students will be equipped to analyse and flexibly apply modern approaches to business process redesign and the implementation of business analytics. Additionally, critical understanding of the role of automation and computerization of business processes will be developed. This course will enable the development of key competencies for efficient business process management, quality leadership, and improvement of organizational flows. | |
| BUSINESS STATISTICS | (8 ECTS) |
| Business Statistics opens the doors to the world of decision analysis, where you will learn essential concepts and tools of statistics and probability. With a focus on business applications, you will develop skills to solve practical problems from the real world. This course provides a solid foundation in statistics and probability, beneficial in both academic and professional environments. You will learn to use statistical methods to support decision-making in the business world, develop critical thinking, and gain skills for independent problem-solving and analysis of business data. Through collaborative group work, you will develop the ability to ask questions for business research and effectively communicate answers. This course is a crucial step toward understanding and applying statistical methodologies in the business environment, where the acquired knowledge will be indispensable for your successful career. | |
| PROJECT MANAGEMENT | (7 ECTS) |
| In the Project Management course, you will learn everything you need for effective project management. Intensively focusing on project management, you will gain a systematic approach to operationalized project management. You will monitor the entire process, from defining project goals, structuring, and planning activities to monitoring project progress and closure. Throughout the course, you will develop practical knowledge and skills necessary for effective project management and the use of advanced (software) tools. | |
| DESCRIPTIVE ANALYTICS | (8 ECTS) |
| This course is a window into the world where data becomes a meaningful tool for decision-making. You will understand how to correctly interpret data and make decisions and recommendations based on analysis. Developing key skills for understanding, interpreting, and presenting data in a meaningful and useful way, you will master advanced techniques using tools such as Power BI, Excel, R, and Python. Practical knowledge will also be gained in data modelling, including the preparation of an ER model and star schema. You will learn to interpret data to support decision-making, prepare customized reports, identify patterns and trends, and understand the basic structures of data. Your knowledge will enable the creation of effective reports for company leadership, making you a key player in the data-driven decision-making process. | |
| DATA VISUALIZATION AND REPORTING | (7 ECTS) |
| In the Data Visualization and Reporting course, you will gain key skills for telling compelling stories based on data. With an emphasis on an analytical approach, you will develop the ability to speak the language of data, create impactful visualizations, and design rich informative charts. Throughout the course, you will learn to gather data for visualization, use various data visualization techniques and tools such as Power BI. You will develop graphic design skills, as the visual impression is crucial for effective communication. Additionally, you will gain knowledge for preparing analytical reports tailored to the purpose and needs of individual users. | |
| PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS | (8 ECTS) |
| In the Predictive Analytics course, you will acquire key knowledge and skills for predicting future results in the business environment. The course will guide you through the basics of predictive techniques such as decision trees, regression analysis, artificial neural networks, and optimization models. Through practical examples and the use of predictive analytics tools, you will learn how to create predictive models and apply them to business decisions. You will learn what data you need to prepare predictive algorithms, what to expect from the results of predictive models, and how to choose the appropriate predictive technique for different business scenarios. Upon completion of this course, you will have the ability to recognize and understand the main predictive models used for predicting behaviour. You will be able to determine suitable predictive techniques for different problems and decisions, use tools to prepare predictive models, and independently create simple yet effective predictive models. | |
3rd YEAR
(6 ECTS)
| ADVANCED BUSINESS ANALYTICS PROCESSES AND TOOLS | (7 ECTS) |
| This course will guide you through modern business analytics processes, artificial intelligence tools, and self-service business analytics. You will explore the main components of business intelligence (BI) in organizations and confront the challenges and solutions in implementing BI in a business environment. Together, we will investigate the BI process flow, self-service BI tools, and advanced analytical functions based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Students will gain knowledge, skills, and competencies for the successful application of advanced BI tools in a business environment, with a focus on various industries such as banking, insurance, manufacturing, retail, and more. During the course, you will develop analytical thinking, the ability to independently solve complex business problems, and communication and collaboration with experts from different fields. With this knowledge, you will be able to use artificial intelligence tools to address business analytics challenges, understand the steps of the modern BI process, and choose the right tools for self-service BI based on specific business situations. Expect interactive content, practical usage examples, and targeted support to help you understand and master the complex field of advanced business analytics. | |
| OPERATIONAL PLANNING | (7 ECTS) |
| Operational planning is crucial for successful business operations, allowing companies to adapt to changing conditions. This course enables you to develop core skills and knowledge, including an understanding of processes, appropriate planning approaches, and the use of tools for concrete planning. You will gain a sense of directing the business planning process and develop communication skills for effective leadership. Additionally, you will learn how to independently use planning tools, prepare reports on deviations between actual and planned values, and systematically implement measures to improve results. Above all, you will acquire practical knowledge and skills that will enable you to navigate through the challenges of operational planning in the modern business environment. | |
| PRACTICAL EDUCATION PRACTICE | (8 ECTS) |
| Practical education is the most dynamic part of the study program, where students step out of classrooms and experience the real business world. It is your opportunity to delve into the operations of companies and organizations and apply the knowledge gained during your studies. To prepare for professional practice, you will set goals for practical education with a mentor and learn how to plan, monitor, and document your progress. In the company or organization where the practice will take place, you will apply your acquired knowledge in practice. You will be able to identify problems, determine data needs, develop studies, strategies, and report on results. Practical education is not just about gaining work experience but is an opportunity to shape your professional attitudes, develop critical thinking, and become part of a team striving for excellence. During practical education, you build a bridge between theory and the real business world, becoming more prepared for challenges in your career and developing key competencies for success in the data and analytics environment. | |
| USE AND UNDERSTANDING OF STATISTICAL PORTALS | (7 ECTS) |
| In this course, you will become familiar with the most important domestic and foreign statistical databases and gain key skills for effective data use in business decisions. This course will enable you to understand and evaluate the usefulness of various statistical databases and discover the possibilities they offer for business decision-making. Through case studies focused on companies from different sectors, you will be able to apply your knowledge in the real world. Special emphasis will be placed on efficiently searching for specific information for a particular sector and the ability to work independently with different types of databases. You will gain skills in data collection and processing, crucial for successful reporting and decision-making in the business environment. You will develop the ability to navigate through complex information in Slovenian and international statistics and gain an understanding of the extensive databases and specific statistical queries. | |
| ELECTIVE COURSE 1 | (6 ECTS) |
| The student selects one of the elective courses. | |
| ELECTIVE COURSE 2 | (6 ECTS) |
| The student selects one of the elective courses. | |
| ELECTIVE COURSE 3 | (6 ECTS) |
| THESIS or ELECTIVE COURSE | (6 ECTS) |
| The diploma work is a student's written assignment composed based on rules for writing expert or scientific and research reports. In the assignment, the student shows the ability of system approach and problem-based treatment of the topic of the diploma work. The student shows the ability of an interdisciplinary approach to dealing with a business problem by applying the knowledge and skills in the field of business analytics and the ability of comprehensive addressing of the study problem. | |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE IN SALES AND PROCUREMENT | (6 ECTS) |
| In this course, you will learn how to take control of processes and optimize business decisions by correctly using key performance indicators (KPIs). The course covers a diverse range of topics, including creating and planning KPIs in procurement and sales, reward criteria, and the use of advanced tools such as POWER PIVOT, POWER QUERY, and VBA in Excel for data analysis. Emphasis is placed on acquiring practical skills for creating reports to monitor KPIs, planning the profitability of product groups, calculations in the commercial process, and inventory management. Hands-on work with pivot tables, using the power of POWER PIVOT and POWER QUERY with DAX and M languages, and creating VBA procedures will enhance your understanding and application of acquired knowledge. With a focus on logical thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, and advanced tool usage, you will develop the ability to solve complex problems in decision support information. | |
| BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT | (6 ECTS) |
| This course will help you understand how information sharing within and outside the company affects traceability and supply chain optimization. You will be able to use your knowledge to identify key information, display key performance indicators on dashboards, and contribute to effective supply chain management and control. Gain the ability to identify key elements in the supply chain, understand the importance of key performance indicators, and create smart visualizations and dashboards in Excel and Power BI. This will enable you to monitor quantitative and timing accuracy and make thoughtful decisions to optimize supply chains. Expect a practically oriented approach that allows immediate application of acquired knowledge in real business scenarios. | |
| BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE IN MARKETING AND CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT | (6 ECTS) |
| Practical skills, in-depth understanding of marketing processes, and effective customer relationship management are key components of your success in the dynamic business world. In this course, you will gain essential knowledge, skills, and strategies for success in the modern business environment. You will first learn the basic objectives of marketing in companies, including digital marketing and its connection to customer relationship management. Familiarize yourself with tools for tracking marketing activities, pricing strategies, and market segmentation. Special emphasis will be on understanding key performance indicators in marketing and customer relationship management. Learn how to choose data correctly, prepare dashboards to track key performance indicators, and explore predictive techniques for easier marketing decision-making. Explore challenges faced by companies in marketing decisions and learn to define the right performance indicators in the field of marketing and customer management. Develop dashboards with practical examples that provide transparency and efficiency in managing marketing strategies. | |
| BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE IN FINANCE | (6 ECTS) |
| This course will reveal the key knowledge and skills you need for effective analysis and visualization of financial data. Explore key data sources, basic analyses, and advanced techniques for better understanding financial data in the business environment. Throughout this course, you will gain knowledge about identifying data sources, understanding entities and dimensions in finance, establishing a data model, and preparing basic and advanced business analyses. You will also gain an understanding of the concepts of preparing advanced financial analyses, including knowledge of data flow from ERP systems to data warehouses (ETL). You will be able to prepare advanced financial reports and design a data analytics model for key areas in finance and accounting. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to independently create complex data models, prepare advanced financial analyses, and design visually appealing reports that enhance understanding and decision-making in the business world. | |
| COMMUNICATION SKILLS | (6 ECTS) |
| In this course, you will develop key competencies for effective communication in a business environment. This course takes you through various aspects of communication management, from basic skills to persuasion strategies and crafting compelling messages. Through practical exercises, you will learn fundamental communication skills and techniques and become familiar with different ways of communicating with various stakeholders in the business world, including employees, customers, political, and local communities. Focus on persuasive writing, speaking, active listening, and conducting meetings, while developing analytical thinking and the ability to create compelling arguments. Special attention will also be given to the use of visualization and storytelling as effective communication tools. Prepare for an interactive and dynamic approach to developing your communication skills and gaining knowledge that you can apply in various business situations. | |
| BUSINESS ENGLISH 2 | (6 ECTS) |
| In this course, you will enhance your language skills and simultaneously acquire key skills for successful operation in a business environment. Students will gain the ability to understand and create various business messages, analyse business situations, conduct business conversations, and effectively collaborate with experts from different fields. Transferring these skills to other professional disciplines will strengthen your intellectual abilities and equip you with tools to actively engage in contemporary business challenges. | |
| INTEGRATION OF PUBLIC DATA FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES | (6 ECTS) |
| In this course, you will acquire key skills for efficiently processing, analysing, and visualizing public data in a business environment. Learn basic and advanced data visualization techniques while also learning fast and effective data processing methods in Excel. Develop skills in using advanced Excel functions and become familiar with various techniques for collecting and analysing qualitative data. Special emphasis will be placed on obtaining quality data, analysing quantitative and qualitative data, and interpreting the results of the analysis. You will also learn how to efficiently process public data for business reporting and decision-making needs. With the acquired knowledge, you will be able to work independently with data for interpretation, enabling you to achieve business goals. | |
| ADVANCED DATA WAREHOUSING | (6 ECTS) |
| This course will take you through various topics, including data warehouse architecture, ETL and ELT processes, performance optimization, security, the use of business intelligence (BI), and handling big data. Through lectures and practical exercises, you will gain an understanding of logical and physical models of data warehouses, mastery of ETL/ELT processes for data extraction, cleaning, and transformation, and an understanding of slowly changing dimensions. You will also learn optimization techniques, including setting indexes, partitions, and data compression for optimal responsiveness of the data warehouse. Data security will be a crucial area, where you will learn to allocate rights, encrypt data, and control access to sensitive information. Explore the use of BI tools like Power BI and tackle the challenges of storing big data, including real-time data capture and the use of technologies such as Spark, Hadoop, and NoSQL databases. The course will also cover cloud technologies for storing data on platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud, providing you with knowledge and understanding of best practices in this field. The conclusion of the course will enable you to master the concepts, techniques, and best practices of advanced data warehousing and become proficient in designing and managing complex DWH solutions. | |
| MACHINE LEARNING AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | (6 ECTS) |
| In this course, you will deepen your understanding of concepts, theories, and techniques underlying this field. With a focus on practical knowledge, you will acquire skills that will enable you to create advanced machine learning models. In the first part of the course, you will enter the world of artificial intelligence and learn key theories and techniques of machine learning. Understand the use of decision trees, regression analysis, k-nearest neighbour algorithms, leader methods in clustering, principal component analysis, and artificial neural networks. The practical aspect of the course will allow you to deal with data preparation for predictive models, test the efficiency of models, and use machine learning tools. Through concrete tasks, you will gain skills in creating and evaluating machine learning models. Upon completion of the course, you will understand the concept of artificial intelligence, recognize key theories and techniques of machine learning, and have practical experience in preparing and testing models. You will be equipped with key knowledge for using machine learning tools and model preparation, enabling you to enter the world of advanced artificial intelligence. | |
