Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• QST PL 895: Action Learning Directed Study in Public Policy
  ALDS: PUB POL
• QST PL 898: Directed Study: Markets, Public Policy, and Law
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair - Graduate-level directed study in Markets, Public Policy, and Law. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST PL 899: Directed Study: Markets, Public Policy, and Law
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair - Graduate-level directed study in Markets, Public Policy, and Law. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST PL 998: Directed Study: Markets, Public Policy, and Law
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair - PhD-level directed study in Markets, Public Policy, and Law. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST PL 999: Directed Study: Markets, Public Policy, and Law
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair - PhD-level directed study in Markets, Public Policy, and Law. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST QM 323: Analytics
  Pre-requisites: Questrom students only; QST AC221; BA221; BA222 or BA223; MO221; SM131; SM132; SM275 - Component of QST SM 323, The Cross Functional Core. Teaches quantitative methods and modeling techniques that will improve the student's ability to make informed decisions in an uncertain world. The two major modules of the course are models for optimal decision-making and decision- making under uncertainty. The first module focuses on methods and predictive models for decision-making; how optimization models are used to identify the best choice; and how choices change in response to changes in the model's parameters (sensitivity analysis). The second module covers the measurement and management of risk and Monte Carlo simulation. Throughout the semester, we will perform hands-on analysis that will improve Excel modeling skills; discuss the ethical use of data analytics; and learn to recognize pitfalls and biases in quantitative decision-making. cr. N
• QST QM 498: Directed Study: Quantitative Methods
  Directed study in Quantitative Methods. 2 or 4 cr. Application available on Undergraduate Program website.
• QST QM 716: Business Analytics: Data Analysis and Risk
  The overall goal of this course is to improve student ability to learn from data, specifically to 1) assess the validity of conclusions that have been drawn from statistical analyses; 2) recognize the extent to which variation characterizes products and processes, and understand the implications of variation on organizational decisions when interpreting data; and 3) portray, summarize and analyze data to support operational and strategic decisions associated with the core business models. Students will increase their understanding of the use of probabilities to reflect uncertainty; how to interpret data in light of uncertainty to assess risk; and how to build and interpret regression models, which can be used to inform core business and organizational decisions.
• QST QM 717: Data Analysis for Managerial Decision-Making
  Graduate Prerequisites: (QSTMO712 OR QSTMO713) - The overall goal of this course is to improve student ability to learn from data, specifically to 1) assess the validity of conclusions that have been drawn from statistical analyses; 2) recognize the extent to which variation characterizes products and processes, and understand the implications of variation on organizational decisions when interpreting data; and 3) portray, summarize and analyze data to support operational and strategic decisions associated with the core business models. Students will increase their understanding of the use of probabilities to reflect uncertainty; how to interpret data in light of uncertainty to assess risk; and how to build and interpret regression models, which can be used to inform core business and organizational decisions.
• QST QM 877: Intro to Python Bootcamp
  In this Bootcamp, students will learn the most essential aspects of Python programming. The topics are tailored toward data analysis; no prior programming experience is required. We will cover variables, data types and data structures, DataFrames, conditionals, loops, and functions. We will also cover reading and writing raw files and the core APIs in analysis and visualization. With the basics under our belt, we will complement it with some of the most popular libraries for data analysis in Python, such as Pandas and Numpy for data manipulation, Matplotlib and Seaborn for visualization, and Jupyter Notebook for reporting. These packages will facilitate workflow and enhance the basic Python functionalities. Using them, one can effortlessly clean up a dataset, create elaborate plots, analyze and summarize the data, and produce presentable reports. During this module, you solidify your new skills by applying the concepts you have learned to analyze several datasets. You will have a chance to live-code during the sessions and troubleshoot your code with your classmates and the instructor. You will walk out of this Bootcamp with newly-forged Python coding skills, knowledge of several of the most important data science libraries and tools, and the resources for learning more. 1.5 cr
• QST QM 878: Deep Learning with Python Bootcamp
  Graduate Prerequisites: QM877, IS833, IS834 or instructor permission - In this bootcamp, students will learn the most essential aspects of machine learning, and in particular, deep learning in Python. Prior programming experience in Python is required. We will cover some standard machine learning algorithms and solve business problems using tabular, time-series, and image data using deep learning algorithms. During this module, students solidify their new skills by applying the concepts they have learned to analyze several datasets. They will have a chance to live-code during the sessions and troubleshoot their code with their classmates and the instructor. 1.5 cr.
• QST QM 895: Action Learning Directed Study in Quantitative Methods
  ALDS: QUANT MTH
• QST QM 898: Directed Study: Quantitative Methods
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair - Graduate-level directed study in Quantitative Methods. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST QM 899: Directed Study: Quantitative Methods
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair - Graduate-level directed study in Quantitative Methods. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST QM 998: Directed Study: Quantitative Methods
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair - PhD-level directed study in Quantitative Methods. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST QM 999: Directed Study: Quantitative Methods
  Graduate Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and the department chair - PhD-level directed study in Quantitative Methods. 1, 2, or 3 cr. Application available on the Graduate Center website.
• QST SI 250: Ideas to Impact
  This course is required for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship minor. The goal of this course is to expose students to the conceptual frameworks that guide ideation and innovation. Thus it will include all five learning principles the guide design of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship minor. The course analyzes the conditions that foster innovation as well as the process by which ideas progress from conception to implementation and execution, and the creation of either economic or social impact. Students will be exposed to theories on the conditions that affect the generation and development of creativity and innovation within individuals, teams, cities, and regions. To foster experiential learning, the whole class will be structured around the process of innovation with a "live case" that focuses on creating social innovations for the City of Boston. When people think about great social challenges, they often look afar to distant countries. Yet, many social problems lie right around the corner from students' daily lives. Students will develop a toolkit comprised of brainstorming, design thinking, human centered design, prototyping, storyboarding and field research. Students will conduct original field research within the City of Boston and identify a challenge or problem to address which they will focus on for the duration of the course, culminating in final presentations. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, The Individual in Community, Creativity/Innovation.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Creativity/Innovation
  • The Individual in Community
  • Social Inquiry I
• QST SI 340: Family Business Management
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Sophomore standing - This course explores the dynamic and complex world of family businesses across the globe. The course is primarily intended for students who have experience of a family business as well as students who are considering joining a family-owned enterprise or starting one. It counts toward the Innovation and Entrepreneurship minor and the Questrom Business minor. Family business historically represents a significant part of the U.S. economy and an even larger proportion of the global economy. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Critical Thinking
  • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
  • Historical Consciousness
• QST SI 344: Entrepreneurship: Solving Problems in a Dynamic World
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: QST SM131, or QST SI250, or QST SI480, or COM FT591, or SHA HF307; Sop homore standing - This course addresses the principles, processes, and frameworks that are the underpinnings of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial spirit. This is a hands-on, experiential learning course that integrates previous coursework into a coherent picture and gives the student an understanding of the way that entrepreneurship can drive change, achievement, and value creation in commercial, societal, and philanthropic domains. Students will also be able to understand how the entrepreneurial mindset can spur achievement and strengthen performance in a wide variety of careers and pursuits. Students have the opportunity to form an idea and drive it through the entrepreneurial process, gaining both practical and theoretical experience in the art and science of entrepreneurship. 4 cr.
• QST SI 348: The Fundamentals of Selling: The Tactics and Strategies for a Career in Sales
  Undergraduate pre-requisite: sophomore standing - This course is for students who may be interested in a career in sales and want to explore more about the profession. Students will learn the fundamentals of selling, focusing on sales techniques and strategies, systems, processes, operations, and the role of sales in business strategy. Students will develop practical skills for prospecting, presenting, and closing deals while learning how to build and maintain customer relationships.