Students
BUSA8090 – Data and Visualisation for Business
2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lin Yue
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
BUSA8000 or BUSA8001 or (Admission to MActPrac or MAppStat or MBusAnalytics or GradCertResBus or GradDipResBus)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
BUSA7090
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on the business perspective of data and visualisation, which is complementary but different from the data science and IT perspectives. In contemporary business environments, data visualisation (DV) has evolved beyond static graphs and charts (visual outputs) and is now used for visual data exploration by business decision makers. These non-technical business professionals are using visualisation software tools as ‘thinking tools’ to explore their problem space, find solutions, explore new opportunities, ask new questions, and innovate business processes and services. In this unit, students will learn about a more effective use of data for business decision making through better data management, improved data quality and data visualisation, including visual data exploration. Students will develop skills necessary to model data, design and implement relational databases, collect, store, and analyse data using SQL, all while using commercial relational database management software. Students will also learn to design and implement data visualisations and visual data exploration environments for business decision makers, using state-of-the art DV tools. Along the way, students will practice ethical and responsible data management and will acquire skills in visual ethics and visual storytelling. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Devise programming language code for data analytics and visualisation using a variety of computer tools.
- ULO2: Formulate SQL language approaches to relational database problems.
- ULO3: Assemble statistical learning techniques to tackle data science problems.
- ULO4: Examine and employ a variety of data visualisation techniques.
- ULO5: Evaluate various popular data visualisation solutions.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Practice: Modelling Task | 30% | No | 19/09/2025 |
| Professional Practice: Data Analysis and Visualisation | 30% | No | 06/11/2025 |
| Formal and Observed Learning: Exam | 40% | No | Exam period |
Professional Practice: Modelling Task
Assessment Type 1: Modelling task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 19/09/2025
Weighting: 30%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your ability to design and implement a relational database and apply SQL skills to solve real-world business problems.
You will create a database for a fitness centre and develop a business analytics report using SQL queries to address both operational and strategic challenges.
Skills in focus:
- Digital skills
- Critical thinking
- Work readiness
Deliverable: Practical coding assignment.
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Devise programming language code for data analytics and visualisation using a variety of computer tools.
- Assemble statistical learning techniques to tackle data science problems.
- Examine and employ a variety of data visualisation techniques.
- Evaluate various popular data visualisation solutions.
Professional Practice: Data Analysis and Visualisation
Assessment Type 1: Programming Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 06/11/2025
Weighting: 30%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your ability to analyse data and develop predictive visualisations to support business decision making.
You will work with a dataset and create five predictive visualisations using either R or Tableau, aimed at addressing key strategic insights.
Skills in focus:
- Digital skills
- Critical thinking
- Work readiness
Deliverable: Data visualisation report.
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Devise programming language code for data analytics and visualisation using a variety of computer tools.
- Formulate SQL language approaches to relational database problems.
Formal and Observed Learning: Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 40%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to formally demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit.
You will participate in a 2-hour exam held during the University Examination period. Important information about the exam will be made available on the unit iLearn page. You should also review the MQ Exams website for general tips.
Deliverable: Formal exam
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Devise programming language code for data analytics and visualisation using a variety of computer tools.
- Assemble statistical learning techniques to tackle data science problems.
- Examine and employ a variety of data visualisation techniques.
- Evaluate various popular data visualisation solutions.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
As per iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
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- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
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- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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- IT Support
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IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 15/07/2025 | Modified assessment deadline to a specific date |
Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook