The Institute for Advanced Analytics held its annual commencement exercise for the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2011. Diplomas were awarded to thirty-nine degree candidates. The Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa, presided over the ceremony, held at the Raleigh Convention Center, and was joined by members of the faculty and staff and over two-hundred guests. It was the Institute’s fourth commencement exercise since its Continue reading “4th Annual Commencement Ceremony”
Author: Michael Rappa
Silva Wins Director’s Prize
Arturo Silva is this year’s winner of the Director’s Prize for the top graduate in the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA). Arturo receives the prize in recognition of his superior performance throughout the 10-month program. Commenting on Arturo’s selection the Institute’s director stated “Arturo won the admiration and praise of his peers by upholding the highest level of professionalism as a team member. He exemplifies Continue reading “Silva Wins Director’s Prize”
Jernigan Earns Master’s Degree
Congratulations to the Institute’s Technology Coordinator, John Jernigan, on the successful completion of his degree in the Master of Science in Computer Engineering at NC State University. John, who joined the Institute at its inception, specializes in computer security and is responsible for the deployment of computing technology among faculty, staff, and students in the MSA program. John earned his B.S. degree in Computer Engineering from NC State, as well.
Class of 2012 Selected
After months of hard work and anticipation, the admissions process for the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2012 has produced 40 talented candidates—the seating capacity of the program—who will begin studies shortly. The admissions committee reviewed 185 applications. About half of the applicants (94) were interviewed for admission by a four-person panel of faculty and staff. A total of 45 candidates were offered admission; three subsequently declined and two deferred. The process yielded an acceptance rate of 24-percent. Continue reading “Class of 2012 Selected”
Sadiq Wins Best Paper Award
Congratulations to Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) 2011 degree candidate Sabah Sadiq, who garnered the best contributed paper award in the Operations Research section at SAS Global Forum this week. Sabah traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, to present the paper, which is titled The Final Frontier: A SAS® Approach to Data Envelopment Analysis. Upon graduation, Sabah will join Deloitte as a consultant. Also presenting a paper at SGF was MSA Class of 2008 alumnus, David Dobson. David’s paper is titled Understanding Drivers of Achieving Academic Success in University Students.
Benchmarking MSA Student Outcomes
The Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) is not designed to emulate the MBA education. However, data collected as part of the national ranking of MBA programs offer an opportunity to compare MSA student outcomes relative to the widely taught graduate degree in business. Using data from the annual ranking of business schools by U.S. News and World Report, an assessment was conducted to determine where in the ranking the MSA might land based on three criteria: the admissions acceptance rate, base starting salaries, and placement rate by graduation. The cost of both resident and non-resident tuition (which covers 2 years for the MBA), is also compared. Continue reading “Benchmarking MSA Student Outcomes”
Evening at the NC Museum of Art
Members of the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2011 took time away from study to enjoy an evening of art appreciation and music at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA). Students were taken on a docent-led tour of the permanent collection. The NCMA recently underwent an ambitious expansion with the construction of a beautiful new wing to house its permanent collection. As part of its the expansion, Continue reading “Evening at the NC Museum of Art”
MSA Job Placement Sets Record Pace
Despite an uncertain economy and the slow growth in domestic employment, the MSA Class of 2011 has logged a record 469 job interviews (an average of 12 per student), and has exceeded last year’s record (378) a full ten weeks ahead of schedule in the 12-week job placement season. It is the fourth consecutive year since the Institute’s inception in 2007 in which employer demand for MSA graduates has increased. The Institute will host over 30 employers this spring, with many seeking to fill multiple positions for analytics professionals.
Applications for Class of 2012
The review of applications for admission to the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree program is ongoing. Prospective applicants who have not yet submitted their application are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Admissions decisions will commence in March and continue until the Class of 2012 cohort is full.
INFORMS Business Analytics Conference
The Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa, will co-chair the Analytics track at the Conference on Business Analytics and Operations Research, sponsored by the prestigious professional society, the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS). The conference agenda is aimed at practitioners and has a deep line-up of speakers drawn from some of the nation’s leading companies applying Analytics.
MSA Applications Up 50%
The number of applications for admission to the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree program is running 52% ahead of last year’s pace. Based on the current rate the Institute projects a record number of applications will be reviewed for admission to the Class of 2012, and perhaps as high as 200—or a 5:1 ratio of applicants to seats available. Continue reading “MSA Applications Up 50%”
Demand for Analytics Talent Surges
The job placement season is off to a record-setting pace for candidates in the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree program. Just two weeks into the process the Institute is on track to schedule more employer visits and log more job interviews with our 39 students than ever before. Already students have an average of seven job interviews (compared to ten tallied at the end of the 16-week placement season last year). Commenting Continue reading “Demand for Analytics Talent Surges”
Institute Hosts China Delegation
Today the Institute hosts a visiting delegation of academic officials from Mainland China here to learn about the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree program. The delegation is headed by Mr. Yuan Wei, statistics professor and Executive Vice President of Renmin University. Professor Yuan was appointed as Deputy Director of China Master of Applied Statistics (MAS) Education Steering Committee. In addition, the delegation comprises the dean Continue reading “Institute Hosts China Delegation”
New Year’s Top-10
Happy New Year from the Institute for Advanced Analytics! For those of you who may be contemplating career options and looking for the best educational investment in your future, we respectfully offer our “Top-10” reasons to pursue the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) in 2011. Consider the following: Continue reading “New Year’s Top-10”
MSA Class of 2011 Reaches Midpoint
The Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2011 has performed extremely well to date, and at the midpoint of the 10-month curriculum the class is by every measure setting a record pace of accomplishment. It was clear from the start the 2011 cohort was a highly capable group academically, and the students have proven themselves in meeting and exceeding the high expectations of faculty and staff. Continue reading “MSA Class of 2011 Reaches Midpoint”