15 courses with the subject BAN, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
BAN 101Data Literacy
This course introduces the principles of data literacy that will give students the confidence they need to read and use data in both every day and working life. Topics covered include: data fundamentals, data fluency, introductory data analytics, storytelling with data, data visualization, data-informed decision-making. Students will gain hands-on experience using the suite of Microsoft Office tools and will prepare and present a final project. The primary goal is to increase the students' skill and comfort level in understanding and working with data. 3 Hours, 1 Semester
The course introduces students to the fields of Data Science, Analytics, and Intelligent Automation. Each of these fields rely on information to understand and improve decision making and business processes. To that end, this class, through three stand-alone modules, will explore each of these fields giving students a clear understanding of how each area can impact business. 3 Hours, 1 Semester
Intelligent Automation is changing the nature of work. Technology is enabling workforce automation and employee augmentation, aiming to automate repetitive tasks and reduce the number of lower value processes being performed manually. The goal for these technologies is to empower companies and their employees to invest their time in higher-yield, higher complexity tasks that can result in greater value for business, their customers and clients, and improve profits and efficiencies. Introduction to Intelligent Automation will explore the emergence and adoption of intelligent automation throughout various sectors. Fundamental concepts, vocabulary, automation tools and frameworks needed to identify, evaluate and measure opportunities will be introduced. Students will build simple automations using an automation tool. 3 Hours, 1 Semester
This course will cover the basics of how to write computer programs in Python. Topics will include data types, loops, strings, lists, methods, graphics and GUI interfaces. Time permitting, we will discuss tools for data analysis. In class instruction will focus on case studies tackling business applications. Prerequisite MATH 150 or MATH 253 3 Hours, 1 Semester
Industry's appetite for intelligent automation solutions grows as stakeholders recognize the power and value to these impressive tools. However, solution identification and deployment is not a simple matter. The appropriate analysis must be performed to identify the opportunity, document the process and data environment, craft the business solution and build a plan that minimizes risks. Historically, 50% of technology projects fail because this critical step is rushed, skipped or done badly. Students will learn the fundamentals of business analysis in the course from an industry best practice framework. By the end of class, students will have used key aspects of the framework and completed foundational business analysis templates. 3 Hours, 1 Semester Return to Table of Contents Nichols College 2026-2027 Catalog 124
In this course students will build upon their knowledge of automation development and business analysis. Students will learn more advanced automation skills, including effective development practices, preparing them to identify and build automations without instruction. How these automations are built matters, though, as building bunches of bad bots creates more problems for an organization than the automations may have solved. The concepts of Center of Excellence and governance practices will be introduced so students learn how business analysis and development practices contribute (positively or otherwise) to the overall transformation initiative of an organization. 3 Hours, 1 Semester
Analytics is the process of getting value out of data. It explains how seemingly mundane data points, when combined, can provide insights into habits, processes, and patterns. We live in a world overflowing with data, and only recently has technology reached the point where anyone can conduct this type of analysis without the aid of supercomputers or consulting firms. This course covers “D2D”, or Data to Decisions. Specifically, this means we will learn what to collect, how to collect it, and how to transform it into actionable information. It is also focused on solving real business problems, which is the most practical application for Nichols business students. 3 Hours, 1 Semester
This hands-on course covers the art and science of data visualization. It explores various visualization techniques and the way that shape, size, color, orientation, and motion influence the way information is comprehended. The class will use world-class visualization platforms such as Tableau and PowerBI. Students will understand the difference between exploratory versus explanatory visualization as well as gain an appreciation for the appropriate use of visualization techniques. We'll discuss how visualizations can be manipulated to mislead or misinform others and discuss the ethics around data visualization. Students will work through a series of interactive dashboards culminating with the final project in which the student will create a story with their data. 3 hours, 1 semester
The primary goal of this class is to learn principles and practices of database management and database design. We will discuss the database relational database design, normalization, SQL queries, reports and other interfaces to database data, and documentation. We will also treat ethical and privacy issues associated with database systems. In-class instruction and exercises will focus on the fundamentals for creating sophisticated, interactive, and secure database applications. 3 Hours, 1 Semester
This course is offered on an occasional basis and addresses topics and themes of special interest not covered in the standard course offerings in business analytics. 3 Hours, 1 Semester
This course will include a blend of Data Science, Intelligent Automation, and Business Analytics majors to create culminating projects related to technology. The course will emphasize the analysis and critical thinking that will drive their research. Multi-disciplinary teams will allow for projects with higher complexity while presenting students with the added challenge of working in diverse teams. By combining students with different skillsets, the teams will be able to appreciate that solutions can be diverse with various technologies allowing for a multi-pronged attached to the challenge at hand. Teams will be paired with corporate, industry, and/or community-based clients in order to work on real-world challenges that can be beneficial to those stakeholders. Final presentation of their findings will be made in front of the client giving students the added challenge of explaining technical solutions to a non-technical audience. 3 Hours, 1 Semester
See “Experiential Learning” in the Other Academic Programs section for course descriptions and governing policies. Return to Table of Contents Nichols College 2026-2027 Catalog 125
