Course information
Learning outcomes
Business Analytics refers to the use of quantitative models to help make better business decisions. This course focuses on mathematical optimization models that are commonly used in business applications. After the course the student can (i) recognize the types of real-world business decision problems where the use of these models brings added value, (ii) build and solve these models using Excel software, and (iii) interpret the results of these models to derive defensible decision recommendations.
Content
Linear and mixed-integer optimization / programming and preliminaries of non-linear and multiple objective optimization with application examples in supply chain management, production planning, finance, and marketing.
Teacher
Eeva Vilkkumaa
Study material
Lecture slides, scientific articles, assignments, computer implementations of mathematical models, and the textbook (An Introduction to Management Science by Anderson et al., 2014, ISBN Code: 978-1-111-82361-0).
Workload
Lectures, exercise sessions, and exam.
Prerequisites
The students are expected to have completed courses ISM-A1002 "Johdatus data-analytiikkaan" ("Introduction to data analytics") and 30A02000 "Tilastotieteen perusteet" ("Introduction to statistics"), or obtained equivalent skills from other university level courses. These skills include basics of linear algebra, multivariate functions, matrices, vectors, probability, random variables as well as good Excel skills.
Evaluation
Assignments and exam.
Teaching time and location
The teaching time and the location of the course can be found in the Sisu information system.
- The link leads to Completion methods tab of the course page
- From the top of the page (Version drop-down menu), check that the academic year 2026-2027 is selected
- From the blue bar, choose the right teaching and open the Groups and study events tab to see the teaching time and location of the course. To see exam times, click Exam.
Exam instructions at the Open University
The teacher has four (4) weeks to grade the exam submissions starting from the exam date.
Further information
Equivalences to other courses:
27C01000 Business Decisions 1
Online learning environment for the course
The MyCourses online learning environment is a tool for both students and teachers for communication and managing everyday course work. You need an Aalto User ID to log in to the course's MyCourses workspace and participate in teaching.
Digital workspace of the course:
MyCourses
More details on completing the course will be available at MyCourses closer to the start of the course.
Registration and course fee
Registration for Open University courses is done via the link below:
Course registration
Registration for this course starts on 21.9.2026 at 9.00
Registration for this course ends on 24.10.2026 at 23.59
It is not possible to register before the registration period has started or after it has ended.
The number of participants is limited to 3.
This course is organized by the Aalto University School of Business.
The course fee is paid upon registration for each course at a time and it is binding. Familiarize yourself with registration and payment rules as well as other guidelines for students:
Registration, payments and rules
