Analytics Magazine Analytics Magazine, September/October 2014 | Page 15

especially since the problem statement and solution methodology is also evolving along the way for most projects. All of the students in this projects course ultimately learn that these capabilities are truly essential in order for them to be able to answer even moderately challenging business questions whose answers are data-driven. As such, after teaching this class for a second time last spring, I began thinking that a programming prerequisite might be worth creating. The course that I had envisioned would be ruthlessly practical (fundamental programming logic, basics of relational databases and SQL, and examples of how to manipulate data in a few different environments including Python, SAS, SPSS and R). The goal would be to give them a little more skill – and a lot more confidence – in their ability to manage the data on subsequent projects. It turns out that I’m not the only business faculty member thinking about 12-6 leeds ad alternate_Layout 1 12/20/13 8:13 AM Page 1 Stand Out. Leeds alum Matt Emmi, founder of OneButton, Boulder-based tech company Position yourself in a lucrative new career with a master’s degree in Business Analytics or Supply Chain Management. Intensive nine month programs World-renowned faculty Experiential projects with industry clients Personalized professional development Be Boulder. Get started now: www.leeds.colorado.edu/MS a na l y t i c s SE P TEM B ER / OCTO B ER 2 014 | 15