Marketing and Decision Sciences

The analytics and management science concentration, formerly known as operations and decision sciences (ODS), involves the formal study and application of analytics and other quantitative techniques to data driven decision making. It is best of breed, employing highly developed methods and advanced tools to deliver analytical power that leads to better outcomes. Students learn data analysis and business intelligence skills that provide them the ability to define a business challenge and discover the most effective options while assessing and minimizing risk. These techniques include the intelligent use of data and mathematical models to form strategic insights that enable better business decisions and improved business performance.

The courses in this concentration introduce the descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytical techniques that form the foundation for making decisions in today's complex, uncertain, and increasingly competitive business environment. This concentration is a STEM concentration that meets the requirements of Business Analytics (CIP Code: 30.7102) and Management Science (CIP Code: 52.1301)

Every modern organization relies on technology to innovate and improve performance — that is where information and data science become critical. The information and data science concentration (formerly management information systems) equips students with the technical expertise and strategic insights required to bridge the gap between technology and business, optimizing organizational processes to accelerate growth. 

Through hands-on IT system design, data science projects, and technology architecture simulations, students master critical skills in project management, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. This STEM-designated concentration officially qualifies under Information Science (CIP: 11.0401) and Data Science (CIP: 30.7001), preparing graduates for high-demand, tech-driven careers as systems analysts, data scientists, IT project managers, and cybersecurity consultants in a global digital economy. 

The marketing concentration provides students with the opportunity to develop the creative and data driven decision-making skills and knowledge needed to deliver products and services that are responsive to the evolving needs of customers. The concentration includes a liberal arts foundation, a common body of core business courses, and additional courses in specialized areas of marketing. Marketing majors can, by carefully choosing their courses, develop an expertise in areas such as consumer behavior, marketing research, international marketing advertising, retailing, digital marketing and integrated marketing communications.  

The minor in analytics and management science is offered by the department of marketing and decision sciences. The minor encompasses a variety of essential tool and techniques to extract actionable and forward-looking insight from data to enable superior decision making in any area. Through this minor, you'll receive exposure to in-demand techniques that are highly relevant for organizations today. A minor in analytics and management science provides insight into risk management, business intelligence, quality management, analytics, and data mining.

This minor is open to all majors except those majoring in business.

The minor in information and data science is offered by the department of marketing and decision sciences. This minor gives you the opportunity to add to your skill set in information technology and systems; technologies that are highly essential for success in the business world. A key requirement for today’s organization is how information and IT systems are organized, managed, used to make effective decisions, and improve the management of an organization.

A minor in data and information science provides such indispensable core skills through training in data management, networks, cyber security, project management, efficient designing of an IT system. The minor is appropriate for those students who anticipate that applied technology skills will have an impact on their learning, professional opportunities, and career growth.

The minor is open to all majors except for those who are majoring in business.

The marketing minor, offered by the marketing and decision sciences department, provides students with the opportunity to further develop the analytical, creative, and decision-making skills needed for successful careers in business. The program builds upon the foundation of a liberal arts education and a common body of business knowledge. By selecting from a series of elective marketing courses, marketing minors can develop a specialization that relates to their area of personal interest, including consumer behavior, research, retailing, advertising, business marketing, sales management, global marketing, strategic marketing, and marketing management. 

The certificate in business analytics will prepare students from all disciplines with a background in analytics that can be applied to any domain. The skills obtained will enable students to use data to help drive better decisions. Included will be advanced statistical concepts, operations research techniques, and data manipulation.

Students that are seeking credentials without enrolling in a degree program will be particularly interested in this body of knowledge as will students majoring in business with a concentration in a different discipline.  Demand for people who possess these skills is high. Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.  Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson.

Students must complete 5 of the courses in order to qualify for the certificate. Required courses include MIS 370, ODS 467, ODS 355 and ODS 370. Students may choose one course from MIS 330, ODS 300, ODS 320, and ODS 340.

This certificate program will provide students with an excellent foundation in the field of data science. Students will develop skills that enable them to gather, store, manipulate, visualize, and gain insights from data.  Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.  Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson. 

Students must complete 5 courses including the following which are required; MIS 370, MIS 330, MIS 450, ODS 340. Students must take an elective from one of the following; MIS 350, ODS 355, ODS 370, ODS 375, and ODS 467.

This certificate program will provide students with an essential background to understand information security issues and to prepare them for a career as a certified information systems security professional.  

Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.   Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson.

Students must take the following four required courses; MIS 310, MIS 340, MIS 360, and MIS 450. They may choose 1 additional course from the following; MIS 330, MIS 350, ODS 320, ODS 380.

This certificate program will provide students with an excellent background in Lean Six Sigma methods. Topics covered will include quality management, statistical process control, forecasting and other advanced analytical methods. Students that are seeking credentials without enrolling in a degree program will be particularly interested in this body of knowledge as will students majoring in business with a concentration in a different discipline.  Demand for people who possess these skills is high.  Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.  Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson.

Students must complete four courses. Required courses are ODS 300, ODS 467, and MIS 310. The student may choose one elective course MIS 350, ODS 333, ODS 375 or ODS 380.

This certificate program will enable students who want to learn more about project management to have an excellent foundation in preparation for a career in the field. It is also valuable for students who are currently working in the field of project management and would like to take courses to assist them in obtaining a project management certificate for career advancement. Students that are seeking credentials without enrolling in a degree program will be particularly interested in this body of knowledge, as will students majoring in business with a concentration in a different discipline.  Demand for people who possess these skills is high.

Students interested in this curriculum should meet with the department chairperson for advising.  Exceptions to prerequisites may be made in consultation with the department chairperson. Students must complete the following three courses: MIS 310, MIS 450, and ODS 375. Choose one of the following two electives: ODS 320 or ODS 380.