Analytics and Technology Certificates
Applied Business Analytics
Success in the workplace today comes from having better business intelligence that allows you to make smarter decisions in real time. This has long been the territory of specialized analysts, whose models and projections helped drive R&D, marketing, strategy, supply chains and so on. Today, the ubiquity of analytical tools and limitless amounts of data mean business analytics have gone from a specialized subset of skills to an expectation for aspiring leaders.
The Applied Business Analytics graduate certificate at Stevens is designed to equip students with the skills needed to mine, manage and make decisions using data. A blend of programming, analytics and visualization skills gives managers the tools and perspective needed to lead a team of digital natives in more quickly identifying opportunities and setting strategies.
Upon completing this certificate, students will be able to:
Navigate the challenges associated with scraping, cleaning and processing data.
Communicate findings and insights through visualizations that empower impactful storytelling.
Create innovative solutions using algorithmic tools and methods.
Understand technical recommendations and effectively turn them into strategy.
Through an understanding of programming and data cleansing, be able to think critically about data-supported conclusions and challenge findings from a practical perspective.
This certificate is best suited to professionals with business experience who are working in technical environments, as well as leaders who want to upskill themselves with an in-demand set of abilities that will help them create value throughout their careers.
MIS 630 Dealing with Data
This course deals with strategic uses of data, data structures, file organizations and hardware as determinants of planning for, and implementing, an enterprise-wide data management scheme. Major course topics include data as valuable enterprise resource, inherent characteristics of data, modeling the data requirements of an enterprise, data repositories and system development life cycles.
MIS 636 Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence
This course focuses on the design and management of data warehouse and business intelligence systems. The course is organized around the following general themes: knowledge discovery in databases, planning and business requirements, architecture, data design, implementation, business intelligence, deployment, maintenance and growth, and emerging issues. Practical examples and case studies are presented throughout.
MIS 637 Data Analytics and Machine Learning
This course will focus on data mining and knowledge discovery algorithms and their applications in solving business and operation problems. We concentrate on demonstrating how discovering the hidden knowledge in corporate databases helps managers make near-real time decisions. Methodological and practical aspects of knowledge discovery algorithms will be covered, including data preprocessing, k-nearest neighborhood algorithms, machine learning and decision trees, artificial neural networks, clustering, and algorithm evaluation techniques. Practical examples and case studies will be present throughout.
BIA 652 Multivariate Data Analysis
This course introduces basic methods underlying multivariate analysis through computer applications using R. Students will master multivariate analysis techniques, including principal components analysis, factor analysis, structural equation modeling, multidimensional scaling, correspondence analysis, cluster analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, discriminant function analysis and logistic regression, as well as other methods used for dimension reduction, pattern recognition, classification and forecasting. Students will build expertise in applying these techniques to real data through class exercises and a project, and learn how to visualize data and present results.
FE 550 Data Visualization Applications
Effective visualization of complex data allows for useful insights, more effective communication and better decision-making. This course investigates methods for visualizing financial datasets from a variety of perspectives in order to best identify the right tool for a given task. Students will use a number of tools to refine their data and create visualizations, including R and associated visualization libraries, Ruby on Rails visualization tools, ManyEyes, HTML5 and CSS 3, D3.js and related javascript libraries, Google Chart Tools, Google Refine, and image-editing programs.
BIA 654 Experimental Design
This course covers fundamental topics in experimentation, including hypothesis development, operational definitions, reliability and validity, measurement, and variables, as well as design methods, such as sampling, randomization and counterbalancing. The course also introduces the analysis associated with various experiments. At the end of the course, students present a project, which consists of designing an experiment, collecting data and trying to answer a research question.
Business Intelligence & Analytics
The graduate certificate in Business Intelligence & Analytics is designed for practitioners who wish to increase their understanding of specific areas of data, web and social analytics, as well as their ability to manage data-intensive applications in industry. The certificate also prepares managers to understand how the data mined by analysts and scientists can be applied to improve organizational strategy and decision-making.
Choose four of the following courses, with permission of advisor:
MIS 636 Data Warehousing & Business Intelligence
MIS 637 Knowledge Discovery in Databases
BIA 652 Multivariate Data Analytics
BIA 658 Social Network Analytics
BIA 672 Marketing Analytics
BIA 674 Supply Chain Analytics
BIA 678 Big Data Seminar
If desired, the above courses can be applied toward a full graduate degree from the School of Business, such as the Master's in Business Intelligence & Analytics or the MBA.
Cybersecurity Risk Management
The rapid introduction of new technologies into the enterprise has helped companies enter new markets, connect with customers in more meaningful ways and seize new opportunities. But these advantages have also introduced new risks and vulnerabilities, with interconnected networks offering multiple points of entry for dedicated attackers searching for valuable data. The management of cybersecurity risk has become a core operational concern, requiring an effective partnership of both business and technical leaders within the organization, as well as effective collaboration with external parties — including interconnected business partners and customers.
Stevens brings an established tradition of leadership in cybersecurity to its interdisciplinary graduate certificate in Cybersecurity Risk Management. This program is designed to demonstrate methods to analyze cybersecurity risks in organizations using a multidisciplinary approach, including the examination of fundamentals; prevailing legal and regulatory frameworks; and risk analysis techniques to provide a basis for understanding the nature and technical complexities of interconnected, and therefore interdependent, systems, organizations, and markets. The curriculum's mix of business and computer science classes positions students to become leaders capable of shaping cyber strategy across the enterprise.
Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to:
Apply concepts of risk management to the organizational cybersecurity context.
Analyze enterprise cybersecurity requirements.
Understand the impact of cybersecurity laws and industry-specific regulations on organizational planning.
Evaluate complexities created by the network interconnection of firms and markets.
Continuously monitor the threat landscape and adjust the enterprise cybersecurity strategy accordingly.
MIS 645 Cybersecurity Principles for Managers
This course explores cybersecurity topics from a business context in alignment with prevailing standards and guidance. The major domains of security are explored from organizational management, risk and technical perspectives. Critical security goals of confidentiality, integrity and availability are discussed. Security challenges are presented from the enterprise perspective, with attention to the intersection of individual, organizational and technical cybersecurity concerns.
CS 506 Introduction to IT Security
This course provides an introduction to key concepts in security. It covers basic concepts such as authentication, confidentiality, integrity and nonrepudiation, as well as important techniques and applications. Topics include access control, security economics, ethics, privacy, software and operating system security, and security policies.
CS 594 Enterprise and Cloud Security
This course considers security and privacy from the perspective of enterprise and cloud applications. An underlying theme of the course is risk analysis for managing information security. The OCTAVE Allegro approach is considered as an example risk management process. All security concepts are covered from first principles. Assignments involve building secure enterprise applications, including secure Web services and PKI.
Students also choose any three of the following to complete the certificate.
CS 595 Information Security and the Law
This course provides an in-depth coverage of the state and federal laws that concern information security and various areas of application. Topics include the U.S. legal system; federal privacy regulations; information security in education, healthcare and corporate environments; breach notification laws; intellectual property law; security governance; legal aspects of risk analysis, incident response and contingency planning; as well as regulations in the global context.
CS 578 Privacy in a Networked World
Increasing use of computers and networks in business, government, recreation and almost all aspects of daily life has led to a proliferation of online sensitive data. Concern about the ownership, control, privacy and accuracy of these data has become a top priority. This course focuses on both the technical challenges of handling sensitive data, as well as the policy and legal issues facing data subjects, data owners and data users. Course readings draw on a variety of sources, including both technical materials and the popular press.
FIN 545 Risk Management for Financial Cybersecurity
This course examines topics related to efforts to maintain security over financial systems within the organization. Students examine recent financial systems breaches, and consider common threats and vulnerabilities related to financial systems. Several methods of risk assessment are explored, as well as the creation of risk treatment strategies, including the design of internal technical and process controls. Students analyze relevant financial services industry regulation and discuss organizational compliance requirements. Response planning is examined for information and cybersecurity breaches.
TM 510 Business Information Networks
This comprehensive course examines LANs; TCP/IP; routing protocols; congestion control techniques; internetwork operation and internet applications, including VoIP. Emphasis is placed on protocol and network architecture, protocol operation, advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and applications. Specific topics include LAN architecture and protocols, IP protocol architecture and addressing, TCP protocol operation, internet routing, flow and congestion control, multicasting, mobile IP, DHCP, and an introduction to SDN. This course also includes a virtual network simulator that provides valuable and practical examples to support and extend the concepts examined in the lectures.
Management of Broadband Communications and Converged Networks
Broadband communications are the foundation for the new wave of communications and network infrastructure, and are the basis for emerging services disrupting established industry practices. Technical and business professionals are increasingly called upon to understand, plan and manage complex technological environments. Courses in the certificate curriculum examine broadband technologies and services, service management in a broadband environment, the impact of the changing regulatory environment on the industry, and the industry structure and strategy.
Previous experience in electrical and communications engineering is required; Stevens offers courses that fulfill this prerequisite.
The following courses are required for the certificate:
TM 612 Regulation and Policy in the Communication Industry
TM 630 Broadband Networking Services and Technology
TM 631 Broadband Service Management
Students also choose one additional course with permission of their advisor.
If desired, the above courses can be applied toward a full graduate degree from the School of Business, such as the MBA.
Management of Wireless Networks
This certificate offers a rich panorama of principles, architectures and standards to help students respond to the accelerated worldwide demand for reliable and robust wireless communications. Courses focus on significant opportunities and obstacles facing today’s rapidly expanding mobile enterprises, including an introduction to the global regulatory environment and critical managerial decisions, and an immersion in key technology concepts and next-generation standards.
To enroll in this certificate program, students must have taken TM 501, TM 605, TM 615 and MGT 615 or MGT 600, or equivalent.
The following courses are required for the certificate:
TM 615 Wireless Networking and Mobile Computing
TM 616 Global Wireless Industry
TM 617 Next Generation Wireless Systems
TM/EE 584 Wireless Systems Security or TM 618 Performance Management Of Emerging Mobile Wireless Networks
If desired, the above courses can be applied toward a full graduate degree from the School of Business, such as the master's in Network & Communication Management & Services or the MBA.
Marketing Analytics
Big data’s ability to understand customer needs is changing the way products and services are being marketed. The Marketing Analytics concentration provides you with an understanding of the tools and techniques that can help you interpret customer review and capitalize on social media interactions to create, plan and support effective marketing campaigns in any business.
Choose three of the following courses to earn the certificate:
BIA 652 Multivariate Data Analytics
BIA 658 Social Network Analytics
BIA 660 Web Analytics
MIS 637 Knowledge Discovery in Databases
In addition, students must complete BIA 672 Marketing Analytics.
If desired, the above courses can be applied toward a full graduate degree from the School of Business, such as the master's in Business Intelligence & Analytics or the MBA.
Operations and Supply Chain Analytics
This concentration explores how predictive and prescriptive analytics can help organizations make sense of large-scale logistics problems. The curriculum will prepare you to analyze and interpret data and design actionable strategies to manage production and service operations through advanced business intelligence and analytical tools.
Choose three of the following courses to earn the certificate:
BIA 650 Process Analytics and Optimization
MGT 657 Operations Management
BIA 658 Social Network Analytics
MIS 637 Knowledge Discovery in Databases
In addition, students must complete BIA 674 Supply Chain Analytics.
If desired, the above courses can be applied toward a full graduate degree from the School of Business, such as the master's in Business Intelligence & Analytics or the MBA.
Operational Excellence
While operations and supply chain best practices are well-developed disciplines, few could have anticipated the cascade effect of geopolitical confrontation, trade conflicts and global pandemic. Businesses are reconsidering their own assumptions and investments in infrastructure, processes, people and education. Technology, in particular, is playing an outsized role, as the ability to use predictive analytics, machine learning and data visualization has become a requirement for professionals working in supply-chain management.
The Stevens graduate certificate in Operational Excellence is a flexible, four-course program that teaches you the advanced quantitative and analytical techniques required to assess, create and improve corporate operations. Courses emphasize the learning and application of tools and methods to specific problems in operations management. Examples and cases covered in the certificate emphasize physical product supply chains, but the concepts taught are equally applicable to digital operations.
Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to:
Understand the tools and methods necessary to implement smarter strategy in supply-chain management.
Apply analytical skills in solving real, data-rich problems in the areas of supplier analytics, capacity planning, demand-supply matching, sales and operations planning, location analysis and network management, inventory management, and sourcing.
Think critically about overall operations productivity and total quality management.
Understand issues surrounding the application of emerging technologies in the operations area of technology-based businesses.
Successfully bring new strategies, methodologies, techniques and tools into the organization.
This certificate is ideal for professionals who directly manage, support or service corporate operations. Familiarity with calculus and statistics (especially undergraduate coursework in both areas) is required.
To earn this multidisciplinary certificate in Operational Excellence, students must complete any four of the following five courses.
MIS 690 Supply Chain Management and Strategy
This course exposes students to leading-edge thinking on supply chain strategy, as well as practical tools and methods for implementation. Topics covered include: supply chain management principles and the customer, networks and organizations, product life cycle implications to supply chains, forecasting and inventory management, supply chain processes, information systems, performance and metrics, lean supply chains, risk management, and legal and ethical issues.
BIA 674 Supply Chain Analytics
The primary goal of this course is to familiarize students with tactical and strategic issues surrounding the design and operation of supply chains, to develop analytical skills for solving real problems, and to teach a range of methods and analytical tools to efficiently manage demand and supply networks. Topics covered in this course include supplier analytics, capacity planning, demand-supply matching, sales and operations planning, location analysis and network management, inventory management, and sourcing.
MGT 657 Operations Management
This course covers the general area of management of operations, both manufacturing and non-manufacturing. The focus of the course is on productivity and total quality management. Topics include quality control and quality management, systems of inventory control, work and materials scheduling, and process management.
MGT 671 Technology and Innovation Management
This course examines the critical role of technology as a strategic resource to enable management to achieve organizational objectives. Topics include entrepreneurship, developing and managing new ventures, managing innovation, the technology life-cycle and technology forecasting, management of research and development personnel and projects, evaluation of R&D projects, and integrating technology strategy with the organization’s overall business strategy.
MIS 712 Advanced Business Process Management
The course addresses the techniques and concepts required to map, implement, automate and evaluate business processes. The course leads students from technical process design, through the implementation and management of workflows, to the structure of process-aware information systems. It discusses the distinction between business processes and business rules and outlines how they can be supported by technology. It details the technical structure of process-aware applications and provides an overview of technology standards that affect BPM systems. Modules on the run-time monitoring of processes and post-execution evaluation techniques complete this course.