Understand, manage and deliver value with data
The practices of business analysis, intelligence and analytics enable you to understand, manage and deliver value with data.
While business analytics uses statistical and quantitative tools for explanatory and predictive modeling, business intelligence collects data to find information through questions, reporting, and analytical processes.
This program combines leadership training with three complimentary disciplines. This enables you to successfully evaluate performance, identify inadequacies, and implement solutions in an organization.
The program does not require any particular technical background.
Choose this program track if:
- You work, or aspire to work, in the data analytics field
- You are in the IT field but need to know the business users data needs
- You want to learn data analysis tools and explore data visualization tools and techniques
- You need to understand basic programming skills to help handle the data load and automate workflows
What you will learn
The focus is on business analysis, business intelligence, and analytics.

Analytics tools and strategies
Strategic implications of applying the techniques of business analytics to support the decision-making in an organization.

Technology and programming
Apply analytical tools and technology applications to develop analysis and solutions to address organization needs.

Modeling
Construct business analysis and translate the findings to support decision-making.

Management
Business and management principles to problem-solve organizational challenges.

Business analysis
Review of enterprise-wide functions and processes.

Leadership
Deepen your own practice, while developing and fostering a multi-dimensional view of leaders and leadership.
Content of the program track
Upon successful completion of this specialization, you will receive the following certificates.
Certificate in Business Intelligence and Analytics
The Certificate in Business Intelligence and Analytics focuses on the four pillars of the BI Body of Knowledge: people, process, technology and data. The four core courses will provide you with the fundamental knowledge and exposure to the technologies and processes essential to any BI project. You will learn to execute each stage of a project, from requirements gathering, to actual development of your solution, to exposing the data within your organization.
Certificate in Business Analysis
This Certificate will prepare you to actively support the delivery of successful projects. You will learn how to clearly identify business needs and project requirements and how to work collaboratively with business and IT stakeholders. The program includes courses that leverage the concepts of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Business Analysis Body of Knowledge and include main topics such as collaboration, testing and quality assurance, requirements analysis and design.
Certificate in IT Fundamentals
This Certificate in IT Fundamentals provides fundamental knowledge of computer programming, databases, networks, and development methodologies. Regardless of the IT career path you choose, this foundation of skills will allow you to progress to more advanced courses in .NET Application Development, Business Analysis, and Business Intelligence and Analytics.
Certificate for Front Line Leaders
The Certificate provides the knowledge, skills and tools first-line supervisors need to be effective leaders. With this certificate, you will deepen your own practice of leadership, while developing and fostering a multi-dimensional view of leadership.
Students must complete a 20-hour independent final assessment (reflective journal) based on the four topic areas.
The program is built around four pillars:
- Leading Self
- Leading Others
- Leading Business Operations
- Leading across Business Units
List of courses
Some courses provide credit towards more than one certificate, allowing you to complete the certificates in less time.
This specialization begins with a program orientation.
Certificate in Business Intelligence and Analytics
Course Hours: 240 hours
Certificate Hours: 240 hours
Number | Course | Hours | Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICT 700 | Business Intelligence Introduction Describe the components of a business intelligence system. Discuss the roles, processes, techniques, and technology related to business intelligence applications. |
30 | |||
ICT 705 | Gathering Requirements for BI Projects Tools and techniques to collect requirements for BI Projects. Mapping objectives, goals and strategies to a business requirement. |
30 | |||
ICT 706 | Data Preparation and Dimensional Modeling Explore the process of creating an analytical data solution, from conceptual design, transforming and loading data, to the exposure of information through a semantic layer. |
30 | |||
ICT 707 | Data Analysis and Presentation Industry best practices to develop visual dashboard layouts and reporting, using SQL Server Mobile Report Publisher, SQL Server Reporting Services and Power BI. |
30 | |||
ICT 771 | Business Analytics Introduction Explore business analytics techniques to formulate and solve business problems and support managerial decision making |
30 | |||
ICT 774 | Visual Analytics Describe the theory underlying the design of visual analytics tools. Create effective interactive visualizations. |
30 | |||
ICT 778 | Python Foundations Learn the fundamentals of the Python programming language, environment and Anaconda Distribution. Focus on best practices for writing, testing and debugging Python code. |
30 | |||
ICT 779 | Python for Data Analysis Through an introduction to Python libraries, focus on how the Python programming language is used for data manipulation, processing and analysis, and visualization. |
30 | |||
Total Hours | 240 | 90 | 60 | 90 |
Certificate in Business Analysis
Course Hours: 180 hours
Certificate Hours: 240 hours
Number | Course | Hours | Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICT 761 | Elicitation and Collaboration Assess elicitation techniques. Concepts, techniques and tools, to encourage teamwork, and achieve a common goal. |
30 | |||
ICT 762 | Requirements Analysis and Design Introduction to the BABOK [Hyperlink] requirements analysis techniques and tools, selection of models. Verification of project requirements using models and matrices. | 30 | |||
ICT 763 | Business Process Management Learn how to design, model, monitor and optimize processes within the lifecycle of a Business Process Management initiative. |
30 | |||
ICT 764 | Solution Evaluation and Testing Identify the strengths of different test planning approaches and strategies. Analyze and align with delivery methodology and types of testing. |
30 | |||
ICT 287 | Data Modeling for IT Projects Foundations of the DAMA DM-BOK guidelines for Data Modelling. The conceptual, logical and physical data models. |
30 | |||
ICT 773 | Program Strategy for BI Projects Methodologies for delivering Business Intelligence. Assess a BI Project for feasibility. |
30 | |||
Total Hours | 180 | 30 | 90 | 60 |
IT Fundamentals Certificate
Course Hours: 90 hours
Certificate Hours: 120 hours
Number | Course | Hours | Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICT 128 | Relational Databases Fundamentals Introductory Concepts of Relational Databases. Introduction to SQL to query and manipulate data in a relational database. |
30 | |||
ICT 710 | Computer Programming Level 1 Analyze a programming problem, design a solution, write and document the application code and debug the application. |
30 | |||
ICT 711 | Computer Programming Level 2 Further your skills in C#, Visual Studio IDE, and the .NET framework. Object-oriented programming concepts and the various tools needed to design, build and test a software product. |
30 | |||
Total Hours | 90 | 60 | 30 | 0 |
Certificate for Front Line Leaders
Course Hours: 125 hours
Certificate Hours: 120 hours
Number | Course | Hours | Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUS 627 | Building Your Leadership Presence Develop the ability to impact and effectively influence, inspire, and motivate others with your own brand of charisma. |
7 | |||
BUS 127 | Emotional Intelligence Integrate intellectual and emotional intelligence to obtain positive results in personal and professional interactions. |
7 | |||
BUS 646 | Productivity Skills and Tools for Managers Explore how to think strategically about prioritizing tasks, managing your time, and practise self-care to enhance personal productivity. |
7 | |||
BUS 128 | Dealing with the Difficult Conversation Learn an assertive, yet respectful method for discussing concerns with others to be successful in difficult conversations. |
7 | |||
BUS 267 | Leading Yourself and Others Through Change Find the best road to successful outcomes while minimizing the negative effects of change. |
14 | |||
BUS 648 | Negotiation Skills for Working Professionals Examine and practise negotiation techniques through hands-on activities to gain confidence in applying them outside the classroom. |
7 | |||
BUS 649 | Powerful Professionals: Consulting Skills for Leaders within Organizations Discover how to utilize a five-step process designed to enhance effectiveness in applying not only technical skills but also critical interpersonal skills within organizations. |
14 | |||
BUS 635 | Effective Decision Making in a Complex Environment Learn to assess and confront problems to make timely decisions by applying techniques, achieving the best results for your business. |
7 | |||
BUS 639 | Managing Difficult Stakeholders Learn how to identify characteristics and apply methods on how to manage difficult conversations while still maintaining the relationship through this process. |
7 | |||
BUS 640 | Business Case Development: Frameworks and Templates Learn the criteria to develop a compelling business case for a targeted audience, achieve approval and secure buy-in. |
14 | |||
BUS 700 | Final Assessment for Certificate for Front Line Leaders Reflection paper at the end of the Front Line Leaders program. |
20 | |||
Total Hours | 125 | 35 | 35 | 55 |
Why choose this program track?
This program focuses on giving you the tools to successfully lead, advise and implement data driven solutions in an organization.

Ultimate benefits

Work in Canada
Students who meet the requirements for full-time status may be eligible for a post-graduate work permit that will allow them to work in our beautiful city, or elsewhere in Canada.

Global Credential
Earn a global business credential to put on your resume.

Gain a new perspective
Study and make friends with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Important Dates

Registration Closing Dates
One month before the program start date.
Your time is now, enrol at UCalgary Continuing Education and be in Canada within the year
Learn what your experience will be like, what your next steps are, and how we will support you in your learning journey...
Combine with the Project Management program track
Students can take two one-year programs consecutively, resulting in reduced tuition fees and course loads. Learn more...
“The thing I came to realize was one of the side benefits... you make contacts in the industry and that's so important.”
Michael McCallum, Graduate
Certificate in Business Intelligence and Analytics
