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Thomas Smith

This course gives participants a basic understanding of statistics as they apply in business situations. A fair share of students considering MBA programs come from backgrounds that do not include a large amount of training in mathematics and statistics. Often, students find themselves at a disadvantage when they apply for or enroll in MBA programs. This course will give you the tools to understand how these business statistics are calculated for navigating the built-in formulas that are included in Excel, but also how to apply these formulas in an range of business settings and situations.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
Get to know your professor, Thomas Smith, and introduce yourself.
Descriptive Statistics
This module covers means, medians, modes, standard deviations, and foundational statistics concepts.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops foundational statistics concepts and Excel skills for business applications
Suitable for students lacking extensive math and statistics background, providing a bridge to MBA programs
Covers essential business statistics concepts, making it suitable for students with varying backgrounds
Includes algebra refresher to enhance participants' mathematical foundation
Provides practical examples and business applications to illustrate statistical concepts
May be less comprehensive for students with strong math and statistics backgrounds

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Reviews summary

Essential math refresher for mba & gmat

According to students, this course is a highly effective math refresher for MBA and GMAT preparation, particularly beneficial for those without a strong quantitative background. Learners praise Professor Thomas Smith's clear explanations and the course's practical business applications, especially the useful Excel tools and techniques. While providing a solid foundational understanding of statistics, algebra, and common business concepts, some feel the calculus and regression modules are brief, suggesting it serves as an excellent starting point rather than an in-depth dive. It consistently builds confidence for prospective MBA students.
Builds essential math foundation, boosts confidence for non-quant backgrounds.
"This course was exactly what I needed to brush up on my math skills for the GMAT... this really built my confidence."
"Perfect for someone like me who needed to revisit basic math for MBA applications... Definitely built my confidence."
"It truly is 'Math for MBA and GMAT Prep' – it's designed to give you the foundation you need."
Emphasizes real-world business scenarios and Excel tools.
"The Excel sections were particularly useful for understanding business applications."
"I appreciated the practical examples and the focus on Excel."
"The examples were relevant to business, which was a huge plus for me. The Excel tools were very practical."
"I found the course taught me how to apply these business statistics in a range of business settings."
Professor Smith excels at explaining complex topics simply.
"Professor Smith is excellent at explaining complex topics simply."
"Professor Smith has a great way of teaching."
"As someone without a strong math background, Professor Smith made everything understandable."
Pace can be too fast for complete beginners or too slow for those with prior math.
"If you already have some math background, it might feel too basic in the beginning. If you're a complete beginner, some parts might be too fast."
"It's a decent overview, but not a substitute for a full quant course."
"I found this course somewhat disappointing... the overall mathematical rigor was lacking."
Covers broad topics but lacks deep dives, especially in advanced modules.
"I found the calculus section a bit too brief, but for an overview, it serves its purpose."
"Some of the later topics like regression could have more examples."
"While it tries to cover many topics, none of them are covered in sufficient depth."
"Calculus and regression were very high level, almost too high level for my needs."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Math for MBA and GMAT Prep with these activities:
Start a study group with classmates
Collaborate with peers to enhance your understanding and prepare for assessments.
Show steps
  • Identify a group of classmates with similar learning goals.
  • Schedule regular study sessions.
  • Discuss course materials, solve problems, and prepare for exams together.
Read Applied Statistics in Business and Economics
Gain a foundational understanding of statistics in a business context by reviewing this comprehensive textbook.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read and review the assigned chapters.
  • Attend book discussion groups or engage in online forums to enhance your understanding.
Form a Study Group
Provides Opportunities for Collaboration and Discussion
Show steps
  • Find other students who are taking the course.
  • Meet regularly to discuss the material.
  • Work together on assignments.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Solve Practice Problems
Improves Understanding of Concepts and Formulas
Browse courses on Descriptive Statistics
Show steps
  • Find practice problems.
  • Attempt to solve the problems
  • Check your answers.
Attend industry conferences and meetups
Connect with professionals in the field and learn about the latest trends and applications of statistics in business.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant industry events and meetups.
  • Register for and attend the events.
  • Engage with speakers, attendees, and potential mentors.
Watch YouTube Videos
Expands Knowledge Base about Business Applications
Show steps
  • Search for videos on business statistics
  • Watch the videos.
  • Take notes on the key points
Complete online tutorials on advanced statistical techniques
Expand your knowledge of statistical techniques that are commonly used in business applications.
Browse courses on Regression Analysis
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online platforms or courses that offer tutorials on advanced statistical techniques.
  • Choose tutorials that align with your learning objectives.
  • Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises.
Solve business case studies
Help solidify your understanding of statistics as they apply to real-world business situations.
Show steps
  • Identify business case studies tailored to your interests.
  • Read the case studies carefully and note the key business concepts and statistical techniques used.
  • Analyze the data and apply the relevant statistical techniques to answer the business questions.
  • Present your findings and recommendations.
Develop a Data Analysis Plan
Applies Statistical Techniques to a Real-World Problem
Browse courses on Regression Analysis
Show steps
  • Identify a business problem.
  • Collect and analyze data.
  • Develop a statistical model.
  • Write a report on your findings.
Develop a statistical model for a business problem
Apply your statistical knowledge to a real-world business scenario by developing a statistical model.
Browse courses on Statistical Modeling
Show steps
  • Define the business problem and identify the relevant data.
  • Choose appropriate statistical techniques and build the model.
  • Validate and test the model.
  • Deploy the model and monitor its performance.
Present your statistical findings to a mock audience
Develop your communication and presentation skills while reinforcing your understanding of statistical concepts.
Browse courses on Presentation Skills
Show steps
  • Prepare your presentation slides and supporting materials.
  • Rehearse your presentation to ensure clarity and impact.
  • Identify a mock audience or practice presenting to a friend or family member.
  • Receive feedback and make improvements to your presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Math for MBA and GMAT Prep will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Statistician
Statisticians use statistics to collect, analyze, and interpret data. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Statisticians. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts use statistics to make sense of data, identify trends, and make predictions. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data visualization, which are essential skills for Data Analysts. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Market Researcher
Market Researchers use statistics to collect and analyze data about consumers and markets. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Market Researchers. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Quantitative Analyst
Quantitative Analysts use statistics to develop and implement mathematical models that can be used to make investment decisions. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Quantitative Analysts. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use statistics to analyze business data and make recommendations about how to improve business operations. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Business Analysts. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use statistics to analyze financial data and make recommendations about investments. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Financial Analysts. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use statistics to improve the efficiency of business operations. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Operations Research Analysts. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants use statistics to analyze business data and make recommendations about how to improve business operations. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Management Consultants. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officers use statistics to analyze financial data and make decisions about how to allocate resources. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Chief Financial Officers. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Risk Analyst
Risk Analysts use statistics to assess and manage risk. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Risk Analysts. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Supply Chain Manager
Supply Chain Managers use statistics to analyze supply chain data and make decisions about how to improve the efficiency of the supply chain. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Supply Chain Managers. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officers use statistics to analyze business data and make decisions about how to manage the company. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Chief Executive Officers. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers use statistics to analyze marketing data and make decisions about how to target and reach consumers. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Marketing Managers. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Product Manager
Product Managers use statistics to analyze product data and make decisions about how to develop and market products. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Product Managers. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers use statistics to analyze sales data and make decisions about how to target and reach customers. The Math for MBA and GMAT Prep course from Emory University can help you build a foundation in statistics and data analysis, which are essential skills for Sales Managers. This course will also help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are necessary for success in this role.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Math for MBA and GMAT Prep.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to statistical inference, covering topics such as probability theory, Bayesian statistics, and frequentist statistics.
Provides a rigorous introduction to probability and statistics, covering topics such as probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to business and economic statistics, covering topics such as descriptive statistics, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to time series analysis, covering topics such as forecasting, filtering, and model selection.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to risk management and financial institutions, covering topics such as market risk, credit risk, and operational risk.
Provides a practical guide to regression analysis, covering topics such as model selection, parameter estimation, and hypothesis testing.

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