The ISOM 550 – Data & Decision Analytics course at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School is one of the ~10 core courses from the Information Systems & Operations Management (ISOM) department. As an introductory Data & Decision Analytics course, this course is more a “survey of various techniques” in probability, statistics and decision making than an in-depth study on one or two statistical topics, according to the syllabus. It does not go deep into the concepts. Other advanced electives are offered by the Emory ISOM faculty, including Technology & Complex Adaptive Systems, Process Analysis & Six Sigma Operations.
ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics course at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School is designed to enhance students’ decision-making skills. This is especially important when making business decisions with uncertainty. This Emory course uses quantitative tools to structure decision problems, test assumptions, and assess the sensitivity of outcomes to various factors. The goal is to prepare students to handle real-world business challenges using data-driven insights. We cover the following in this article:
- Prerequisites for the ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics Course
- Teaching Format for the ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics Course at Emory
- Data & Decision Analytics Course Tutoring Plan
- Case Studies Used in Data & Decision Analytics at Emory
- Required Textbook for ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics at Emory
- Key Questions Addressed in Data & Decision Analytics at Emory
- Teaching Faculty for the ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics Course
- Grading in the ISOM Data & Decision Analytics Course at Emory
- Order of Topics: ISOM Data & Decision Analytics Course at Emory
- Emory’s Multiple MBA Programs Tutored
- Tutoring for Other Corse Courses at Emory’s Goizueta Business School
Prerequisites for ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics Course
ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics at Emory is a foundational core course, so no specific prerequisites are mentioned. However, students should have a basic understanding of algebra and the ability to use Microsoft Excel, as these are essential for analyzing data and building decision models. If students are not familiar with spreadsheets, they are encouraged to familiarize themselves early in the course with Microsoft Excel. The ISOM 550 course will use Microsoft Excel extensively throughout the course. Additional statistical software and operations tools such as JMP, R, and Python are also introduced as options in ISOM 550.
Teaching Format for the Data & Decision Analytics Course at Emory
The course is delivered through regular class sessions, with lectures, case discussions, and hands-on data analysis. The course is divided into two main sections: Data Analytics and Decision Analytics. Students will participate in five team-based projects throughout the semester, which will help them apply the concepts discussed in class. Lecture notes, data files, and video tutorials are provided on CANVAS, Emory’s learning management system. Additionally, students can schedule office hours with the instructor by appointment.
Data & Decision Analytics ISOM 550 Course Tutoring Plan
Our graduate-level MBA tutors help you understand the foundational concepts of data analysis first before moving into application case studies and various statistical software like JMP, R, Python, etc., that students can use in the ISOM 550 – Data & Decision Analytics course. We provide additional support to Emory MBA students who already have access to Professors, who offer office hours on an appointment basis, either in person or via Zoom. Emory University’s Goizueta Business School also provides access to numerous practice problems on CANVAS, which we can help you understand in detail.
Case Studies Used in ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics at Emory
Case studies and projects are integral to the course, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical business problems. The ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics course has five projects assigned throughout the semester. These projects focus on different aspects of data and decision analytics, such as descriptive and predictive analytics, probability modelling, simulation, and prescriptive analytics. These projects help students gain hands-on experience with real-world decision-making tools.
Required Textbook for ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics at Emory
There is no single textbook needed for this course, but two recommended resources are:
- Practical Data Analysis with JMP by Carver – A guide for using JMP statistical software.
- Statistics for Business: Decision Making and Analysis by Stine and Foster.
Additionally, the course makes heavy use of Microsoft Excel for data analysis, and students have access to tutorial videos through the course website (HTTP://EXCELFORGBS.COM).
Key Questions Addressed in ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics at Emory
Throughout the course, students will explore several key questions, such as:
- How do data and models support business decisions?
- What are the challenges of collecting and analyzing data for decision-making?
- Which quantitative tools are most effective in different decision-making contexts?
- How can we assess the quality and limitations of models built using statistical tools?
Teaching Faculty for ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics
The course has been taught by several Emory ISOM faculty, including Professor Wen Gu, Professor Steve Stuk, Professor Kendra Taylor, and Professor Jeffrey Rummel. Recent semesters of ISOM 550 – Data & Decision Analytics Course have been taught by Professor Jeffrey L. Rummel, an Associate Professor in the Practice of Information Systems & Operations Management. Professor Rummel has extensive experience in data analytics and provides students with a blend of academic and practical insights. His teaching emphasizes both the technical aspects of data analysis and the decision-making processes that follow.
Other professors in the Information Systems & Operations Management (ISOM) department who may have contributed to the data and analytics curriculum include Professor Ram Chellappa who specializes in data analytics, digital business, and operations management, Professor Niclas Erhardt an expert in operations and management science, Professor Steve Walton an expert in operations management and business analytics, and Professor Benn Konsynski who focuses on information systems.
Grading: ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics Course at Emory
The course grade is usually based on three components:
- Class Participation (20%) – Active participation in class discussions is crucial, as students are encouraged to share insights and ask thoughtful questions.
- Team Case Assignments (40%) – Teams work together on case studies, preparing slide decks that demonstrate their decision-making process and analysis.
- Final Exam (40%) – The final exam is comprehensive and will be conducted online via CANVAS.
Please note that different professors can use different weights for the final grade.
Order of Topics in the ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics Course at Emory
The course follows a structured schedule, divided into two sections 1) Data Analytics and 2) Decision Making:
- Data Analytics:
- Populations, samples, and descriptive analytics
- Inference, regression, and predictive analytics
The data analytics portion of the ISOM 550 – Data & Decision Analytics course at Emory also has three projects focusing on data analysis and model building. Here students apply the statistics and data analysis concepts tutored on real data to get experience with data analysis.
- Decision Analytics:
- Simulation and prescriptive analytics
- Probability and random variables
The decision analytics portion of the ISOM 550 – Data & Decision Analytics course at Emory has two additional decision analysis projects focusing on data analysis and model building. Here, students apply the statistics and data analysis concepts tutored on real data to get experience with data analysis.
This structure ensures that students develop a strong foundation in both data analysis and decision-making, preparing them to tackle complex business problems with confidence.
Tutoring Emory’s Multiple MBA Programs
ISOM 550 – Data & Decision Analytics course is taught at the multiple MBA courses offered at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, including the one-year MBA, two-year MBA, executive MBA program and the evening MBA program. The Full-Time MBA program is a two-year immersive experience that provides students with deep business knowledge, leadership development, and real-world experiences such as internships and global study opportunities. For working professionals, the Evening MBA and Weekend Executive MBA programs offer flexible schedules that allow students to balance work and school while advancing their careers. The Modular Executive MBA is designed for senior-level professionals and offers a blended format of online and on-campus learning, making it convenient for those with demanding work schedules.
While these programs are designed to fit the diverse needs of students at different stages in their careers, the ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics course is offered to all these courses and other graduate programs because it is applicable to every MBA student. Graduate Tutor provides tutoring for all the MBA courses at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in addition to the ISOM 550 Data & Decision Analytics course.
Tutoring for Other Corse Courses at Emory’s Goizueta Business School
Graduate Tutor also tutors other core courses offered at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, including the following courses.
- Data & Decision Analytics
- Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Global Business Practices
- Managerial Economics
- Managerial Finance
- Marketing Management
- Organizational Behaviour & Leadership
- Process & Systems Management
- Strategic Management
Graduate Tutor does not cover the Goizueta IMPACT and Goizueta Plus offerings. Graduate Tutor provides live online operations research tutoring for ISOM 550 as well as other ISOM courses at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Please email or call us if we can provide you operations management tutoring or for that matter any other quantitative course you will encounter in a b-school program.