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MMBA8113 – Big Data and AI for Decision Making: Leading Evidence-Based Solutions

2026 – Term 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, City

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Nejhdeh Ghevondian
nejhdeh.ghevondian@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
MMBA8160 or (Admission to GradCertBusAdmin or GradDipBusAdmin)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit integrates business and information technology with big data and AI to improve decision-making. This unit equips students with the knowledge and skills to lead and manage big data and data science projects within organisations. Dive into the strategic and operational applications of data science development practices, focusing on the transformative potential of big data and data science in reshaping business processes. Explore the impact of big data on companies’ IT infrastructure, resource allocation for data science workstreams, and the technological underpinnings of the big data ecosystem. Tailored for MBA students and business managers, this unit facilitates managerial discussions surrounding big data employment and decision-making, enabling the utilisation of big data and analytics insights within large companies. The technical aspects of the unit are presented in a comprehensible and applicable manner, ensuring accessibility for MBA students without prior technical training in big data software applications.

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: Explain and define the big data ecosystem and its applications within the context of managerial decision-making processes.
  • ULO2: Apply data science theories, methodologies, and tools to solve real life business problems.
  • ULO3: Use tangible and intangible resources to gain insights from large and versatile sets of data and understand the additional requirements needed. 
  • ULO4: Customise big data and data science solutions to various business contexts.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments) 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.  

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to apply for Special Consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension
Skills Development: Industry Insights through Big Data Analysis 30% No Week 10 Group No
Formal and Observed Learning: Final Exam 30% No Exam Period Individual No
Professional Practice: Data-driven Decision Making 40% No Week 6 Individual No

Skills Development: Industry Insights through Big Data Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension: No

The group will be required to produce a report of no more than 6000 words and present the findings to the class. 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work with peers to develop and demonstrate your understanding of (1) historical context and current state of an industry in relation to big data and analytics and (2) core big data concepts, technologies and methodologies. 

You will work in a group to conduct research to gather relevant information on an industry of choice, analyse data and synthesise the findings into comprehensive insights. You will then (1) produce a written report to provide your comprehensive analysis of the chosen industry, including visualisations and information based on the Big Data maturity index model and (2) present your findings to the class. 

Skills in focus : 

  • Discipline knowledge 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Communication 
  • Collaboration 

Deliverable: Written report [max. 6,000 words] and Group presentation 

Group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and define the big data ecosystem and its applications within the context of managerial decision-making processes.
  • Apply data science theories, methodologies, and tools to solve real life business problems.
  • Use tangible and intangible resources to gain insights from large and versatile sets of data and understand the additional requirements needed. 
  • Customise big data and data science solutions to various business contexts.

Formal and Observed Learning: Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding and expertise of relevant topics you have gained in this unit. 

You will participate in an online 3-hour exam, to be completed within a 6-hour window. 

Deliverable: Open-book online exam 

Individual assessment 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and define the big data ecosystem and its applications within the context of managerial decision-making processes.
  • Apply data science theories, methodologies, and tools to solve real life business problems.
  • Use tangible and intangible resources to gain insights from large and versatile sets of data and understand the additional requirements needed. 
  • Customise big data and data science solutions to various business contexts.

Professional Practice: Data-driven Decision Making

Assessment Type 1: Modelling task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your data analysis proficiency and your capability in analysing and interpreting statistical results to derive actional insights. 

You will be given a choice to select one of case studies and asked to perform suitable predictive modeling techniques, including exploratory analysis, modelling and visualization, using analytical tools. You will be required to submit a written report highlighting the application of insights, concepts and relevant techniques used to perform analyses on the case study. 

Skills in focus : 

  • Discipline knowledge 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Problem solving 

Deliverable: Written submission [max. 6 pages] 

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain and define the big data ecosystem and its applications within the context of managerial decision-making processes.
  • Apply data science theories, methodologies, and tools to solve real life business problems.
  • Use tangible and intangible resources to gain insights from large and versatile sets of data and understand the additional requirements needed. 
  • Customise big data and data science solutions to various business contexts.

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

This course will include software packages suh as Power BI and Azure Machine Learning 

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:

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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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
22/12/2025 No Changes

Unit information based on version 2026.04 of the Handbook