About this Course

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A leader in a data driven world requires the knowledge of both data-related (statistical) methods and of appropriate models to use that data. This Business Analytics class focuses on the latter: it introduces students to analytical frameworks used for decision making though Excel modeling. These include Linear and Integer Optimization, Decision Analysis, and Risk modeling. For each methodology students are first exposed to the basic mechanics, and then apply the methodology to real-world business problems using Excel. 
Emphasis will be not on the "how-to" of Excel, but rather on formulating problems, translating those formulations into useful models, optimizing and/or displaying the models, and interpreting results. The course will prepare managers who are comfortable with translating trade-offs into models, understanding the output of the software, and who are appreciative of quantitative approaches to decision making.

Business analytics makes extensive use of data and modeling to drive decision making in organizations. This class focuses on introducing students to analytical frameworks used for decision making to make sense of the data, starting from the basics of Excel and working up to advanced modeling techniques.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Intermediate Level

Some working knowledge of Microsoft Excel

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

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Skills you will gain

Business Analytics
Spreadsheet
Microsoft Excel
Solver
Modeling

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Intermediate Level

Some working knowledge of Microsoft Excel

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Joseph W. Cutrone, PhD
Top Instructor

Associate Teaching Professor and Director of Online Programs

Mathematics

55,696 Learners

16 Courses

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Introduction to Excel: Basics and Best Practices

The purpose of this course is to expose you to a variety of problems that can be solved using management science methods and modelled in Excel. In this course, we start from the basics of spreadsheet design and work our way up to broader mathematical optimization modelling. Many airlines, banks, and technology companies could not operate today as they do without the skills and techniques taught in this course. In this first module, we begin by introducing a relatively simple example of a mathematical model which we will use as our platform to build off of for more complicated applications later in the course.

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 46 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

What-If Analysis in Excel

We are now ready to introduce more complexity to our spreadsheet models. Since everyone comes from different Excel backgrounds, we will review some basic functions and features as well as more advanced techniques. This module covers more of the modelling process and includes some of the less-well known, but particularly helpful, Excel functions and tools that are available. Remember though that this course's objective is not to be a "how-to" of Excel. Instead, the focus and intent is to use these features to provide insights into real business problems.

3 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 37 min), 4 readings, 4 quizzes

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Decision Analysis through Regression and NPV

In this module the modeling concept of estimating relationships between variables by curve fitting, or regression analysis, is used to solve realistic business problems. Different regression curves are introduced and a mathematical analysis of which curve is best to help defend the model is presented. This allows not only an understanding of the techniques of modelling but also the rational behind which model to use.

4 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 47 min), 6 readings, 5 quizzes

2 videos

The 19th Hole32mNPV Example: Gopher Drugs14m

6 readings

The 19th Hole10mTrendlines and Conditional Formatting10mGopher Drugs10mModeling Net Present Value5mMidcourse Project5mSample Model - Bluejay Natural Gas10m

5 practice exercises

Exercise Equipment Company30mNet Present Value30mDecision Analysis through Regression and NPV30mSelf Evaluation for Decision Analysis30mModel Set-Up - Bluejay Natural Gas30m

Week4

Week 4

5 hours to complete

Linear Programming

In this module we introduce spreadsheet optimization, one of the most powerful and flexible methods of quantitative analysis. The specific type of optimization presented here is linear programming (LP) which is used in all types of organizations to solve a wide variety of problems. As you will see through the examples presented in this course, LP is used in problems of labor scheduling, inventory management, advertising, finance, transportation, staffing, and many others. The goal of this module is to introduce you to the basic elements of LP, the types of problems it can solve, and how to model an LP problem in excel.

5 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 75 min), 7 readings, 5 quizzes

Week5

Week 5

3 hours to complete

Transportation and Assignment Problems

This module provides even more examples of problems that can be modeling using linear programming (LP), in particular Transportation and Assignment problems. The basic transportation problem is concerned with finding the best (usually the least cost) way to distribute the good from sources such as factories, to final destinations such as retail outlets. The assignment problem involves finding the best (usually the least cost) way to assign individuals or pieces of equipment to projects or jobs on a one-to-one basis. Using Solver, we will take advantage of the special structure of these LP problems to find the best solutions to complex business problems in an efficient way.

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 42 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes

Week6

Week 6

5 hours to complete

Integer Programming and Nonlinear Programming

This module presents yet another subset of important mathematical linear programming models that arise when some of the basic assumptions of an LP model are made more or less restrictive. For example, restricting the decision variables to be whole numbers leads to the process of Integer Programming. Restricting the decision variables to be either 0 or 1 leads to binary programming. Lastly, we will see how the skills in this course can be used to solve more complex problems that involve nonlinear models.

5 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 56 min), 10 readings, 5 quizzes

5 videos

Princess Brides11mBolsa de Café12mBinary Investment Decision16mPortfolio Variance9mMotorcross Snowmobiles6m

10 readings

Princess Brides10mBolsa de Café10mInteger Programming in Solver5mBinary Investment Decision10mBinary Integer Programming with Solver5mPortfolio Variance10mMotorcross Snowmobiles10mNonlinear Programming with Solver5mFinal Project5mSample Model - Bluejay Natural Gas Project Selection10m

5 practice exercises

Art Posters30mHorizon Wireless30mBaseball Stadium30mInteger Programming and Nonlinear Programming30mProject Selection at Bluejay Natural Gas30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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Business Analytics with Excel: Elementary to Advanced