BZAN 6310: Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions
1. What Is BZAN 6310 About?
BZAN 6310: Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions is a graduate-level course at the University of Houston that introduces students to statistical analysis and operations research models used to solve business problems and support decision-making.
The course focuses on using Microsoft Excel to analyze data, identify relationships between variables, forecast outcomes, and evaluate business decisions through quantitative methods.
Students explore how businesses can transform large amounts of data into useful insights. The course combines statistical concepts with practical Excel exercises, covering topics such as descriptive statistics, probability, sampling, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and regression.
The emphasis is on applying analytical techniques to real business situations rather than studying statistical theory in isolation.
Course details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Course Code | BZAN 6310 |
| Course Title | Quantitative Analysis for Business Decisions |
| University | University of Houston |
| Semester | Fall 2026 |
| Section | — |
| Course Level | Graduate |
| Course Format | Asynchronous online |
| Credit Hours | 3 |
| Prerequisite | Graduate standing |
| Main Focus | Business analytics, statistical analysis, and quantitative decision-making |
| Primary Software | Microsoft Excel with StatTools |
| Required Textbook | Business Analytics: Data Analysis and Decision Making, 6th edition |
Students cannot receive credit for both BZAN 6310 and BZAN 6320.
2. What Do Students Learn in BZAN 6310?
BZAN 6310 develops students’ ability to analyze business data and use quantitative methods to support decisions.
By the end of the course, students should develop the ability to:
- Describe and analyze data: Summarize datasets using descriptive statistics and identify patterns in business information.
- Understand probability: Apply probability concepts and normal distributions to analyze uncertainty and business outcomes.
- Analyze relationships between variables: Examine how variables are related and use regression techniques to study those relationships.
- Understand sampling: Work with sampling methods and sampling distributions to interpret data and make statistical judgments.
- Estimate population parameters: Use confidence intervals to estimate unknown values based on sample data.
- Conduct hypothesis tests: Evaluate statistical claims and use evidence to support business conclusions.
- Apply Excel-based analytical tools: Use Excel and StatTools to perform statistical analyses and solve quantitative business problems.
- Support business decisions: Apply statistical and operations research models to practical business situations.
The course emphasizes both understanding analytical concepts and developing the practical skills needed to use them in business decision-making.
3. BZAN 6310 Course Topics
The course covers several statistical and quantitative methods that help businesses interpret data, understand uncertainty, and make informed decisions.
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Descriptive Statistics | Organize, summarize, and interpret business data to identify important patterns and characteristics. |
| Relationships Among Variables | Examine how different variables relate to one another and prepare for regression analysis. |
| Probability and Normal Distribution | Understand probability and use normal distributions to analyze uncertainty. |
| Sampling and Sampling Distributions | Explore sampling concepts and how sample statistics behave across different samples. |
| Confidence Interval Estimation | Estimate unknown population values using sample data and confidence intervals. |
| Hypothesis Testing | Evaluate statistical claims and use sample evidence to draw conclusions. |
| Regression | Analyze relationships between variables using regression methods. |
| Business Analytics and Decision Models | Apply statistical and operations research models to business problems using Excel. |
These topics build on one another. Students begin with describing and exploring data, then study probability and sampling before progressing to statistical inference and regression.
The broader course description also identifies forecasting, simulation, and optimization as important areas of business analytics. However, the detailed weekly schedule does not assign specific weeks to these topics.
4. How Is BZAN 6310 Structured?
BZAN 6310 is delivered asynchronously online and combines readings, lectures, exercises, quizzes, examinations, and a business case study.
The course is designed around practical applications of statistical concepts using Microsoft Excel. Its main learning components include:
- Readings and lectures: Students study assigned material and review relevant concepts before working through analytical exercises.
- Excel-based exercises: Students practice using Excel and statistical tools to analyze data and apply quantitative methods.
- Computer-based quizzes: Closed-book quizzes administered through Canvas assess students’ understanding of course concepts.
- Three examinations: Exams assess material covered since the previous exam, while also requiring knowledge of earlier concepts that support later topics.
- Business case study: Students apply lecture concepts and Excel analysis to a practical business problem.
- Ungraded homework: Practice assignments and solutions are provided to help students strengthen their analytical and Excel skills.
Although the course is asynchronous, students must complete quizzes, examinations, and the case study according to the scheduled requirements. The syllabus does not provide specific weekly meeting times.
5. What Assignments Are in BZAN 6310?
BZAN 6310 includes quizzes, three exams, a business case study, and optional graded? No—the syllabus specifies that homework is ungraded and provided for independent practice.
Computer-Based Quizzes
Quizzes account for 20% of the final grade.
These are closed-book, computer-based assessments administered through Canvas. They primarily cover concepts discussed in the course.
Students should review the detailed quiz instructions available through Canvas.
Important requirement: There are no makeup quizzes. Students should therefore pay close attention to the quiz schedule and complete assessments within the permitted time.
Examinations
The course includes three examinations, each worth 20% of the final grade.
| Exam | Weight | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Exam 1 | 20% | Material covered before the first exam |
| Exam 2 | 20% | Material covered since Exam 1, building on previous concepts |
| Exam 3 | 20% | Material covered since Exam 2, building on previous concepts |
The exams are open-book and open-notes. However, students are expected to understand earlier concepts because later material often builds on previous topics.
Students must take the examinations on their own laptops and follow the scheduled examination times.
The syllabus states that exams cannot be retaken or taken at a different time except under extreme circumstances.
Business Case Study
The business case study accounts for 20% of the final grade.
Students apply concepts from lectures and use Excel to analyze a business problem. The assignment includes structured guidelines to help students approach the analysis.
Further instructions are provided during the course.
Important requirement: Late case study submissions are not accepted.
Homework and Independent Practice
The course does not include graded homework.
However, practice assignments and their solutions are provided to help students develop their analytical abilities and become more proficient with Excel.
Students are expected to complete these exercises independently and review the solutions to reinforce their understanding.
These assignments are particularly useful for practicing statistical tools and preparing for quizzes, exams, and the business case study.
6. BZAN 6310 Grading Breakdown
The final grade in BZAN 6310 is based on five assessment categories.
| Assessment | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Quizzes | 20% |
| Exam 1 | 20% |
| Exam 2 | 20% |
| Exam 3 | 20% |
| Business Case Study | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Each examination carries the same weight as the quizzes and case study.
This grading structure distributes assessment evenly across the semester. Students need to maintain consistent performance in quizzes, examinations, and the case study rather than relying on one major assignment to determine their final grade.
The syllabus indicates that further grading details are available through Canvas.
7. What Readings and Materials Are Used in BZAN 6310?
The course requires a textbook, a compatible computer, and statistical software for completing its analytical exercises.
Required textbook
Business Analytics: Data Analysis and Decision Making, 6th edition, by S. Christian Albright and Wayne L. Winston.
The textbook supports the statistical and analytical concepts covered throughout the course.
Required software and equipment
| Material | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Computer | Laptop capable of running Windows |
| Operating System | Windows 7, 8, or 10, as specified in the syllabus |
| Spreadsheet Software | Microsoft Excel 2016 or later |
| Statistical Add-in | StatTools, included with the Palisade Decision Tools Suite provided with the textbook purchase |
| Additional Equipment | A mouse is recommended |
The syllabus notes that Mac users must be able to run Windows because of compatibility issues with Excel add-ins.
Students should have their laptops available for hands-on analytical exercises.
Excel proficiency
Students are expected to be proficient in Excel before taking the course. Familiarity with the following tools is particularly important:
- Range names
- Pivot tables
- Data tables
- Lookup functions
- Goal Seek
- Conditional and logical IF functions
- Conditional SUM, COUNT, and AVERAGE functions
- SUMPRODUCT
- Statistical and financial functions
Additional tutorials are available through Canvas.
8. BZAN 6310 Weekly Topics
The Fall 2026 syllabus provides a 15-week topic schedule covering descriptive statistics, probability, statistical inference, and regression.
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction and Describing Data |
| 2 | Describing Data |
| 3 | Relationships Among Variables |
| 4 | Probability and Normal Distribution |
| 5 | Exam 1 |
| 6 | Sampling and Sampling Distributions |
| 7 | Sampling and Sampling Distributions |
| 8 | Confidence Interval Estimation |
| 9 | Confidence Interval Estimation |
| 10 | Exam 2 |
| 11 | Hypothesis Testing |
| 12 | Hypothesis Testing |
| 13 | Regression |
| 14 | Regression |
| 15 | Exam 3 |
The schedule follows a progressive structure.
Students begin by learning how to describe data and examine relationships between variables. They then move into probability and sampling concepts before studying confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.
Regression is covered toward the end of the course, allowing students to build on the statistical concepts introduced earlier.
The syllabus notes that the schedule may be modified if necessary. Any changes are communicated through the course site and email notifications.
9. What Skills Can Students Develop in BZAN 6310?
BZAN 6310 focuses on developing quantitative and analytical skills that support data-driven business decisions.
Students can develop the following skills:
- Data analysis: Organize, summarize, and interpret datasets using descriptive statistics.
- Statistical reasoning: Apply probability, sampling, and statistical inference to evaluate business information.
- Excel proficiency: Use spreadsheet functions and statistical add-ins to perform quantitative analyses.
- Regression analysis: Examine relationships between variables and use regression methods to analyze business data.
- Statistical decision-making: Use confidence intervals and hypothesis testing to evaluate evidence and support conclusions.
- Quantitative problem-solving: Apply statistical and operations research models to business problems.
- Analytical thinking: Interpret numerical results and use them to understand business situations.
- Business research and application: Apply analytical methods to practical business cases using structured approaches.
The course’s emphasis on Excel-based exercises and business applications helps students connect statistical methods with practical decision-making.
10. What Should Students Expect in BZAN 6310?
Students taking BZAN 6310 should expect a technically focused graduate course that requires regular independent study, statistical reasoning, and practical Excel skills.
Several aspects of the course are especially important.
- Strong Excel requirements: Students are expected to enter the course with proficiency in Excel functions and analytical tools. The course is not designed to teach spreadsheet fundamentals from scratch.
- Consistent independent learning: The asynchronous format requires students to manage their reading, exercises, and assessments without scheduled live class meetings specified in the syllabus.
- Regular quizzes: Computer-based closed-book quizzes assess understanding of course concepts. There are no makeup quizzes.
- Three major examinations: Each exam contributes 20% of the final grade. Students should understand how earlier concepts connect to later material.
- Practical analytical work: The business case study requires students to apply statistical concepts and Excel tools to a business problem.
- Independent practice: Although homework is not graded, completing the exercises and reviewing their solutions is an expected part of preparation.
- Software compatibility: Students need access to Windows-compatible Excel and StatTools. Mac users must be able to run Windows.
- Strict assessment conditions: Exams must be taken at scheduled times, with retakes or alternative times allowed only under extreme circumstances. Late case study submissions are not accepted.
Students who maintain consistent study habits, practice using Excel, and review statistical concepts as they progress through the course will be better prepared for its assessments.
