BUS 210 Master Syllabus

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BUS 210: Business Analytics I

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Prerequisites

Essential and expected knowledge: Proficiency in elementary algebra and geometry. Familiarity with recent versions of MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Deficiencies in any of these areas should be self-remediated.  

University Catalog Description

This course introduces the concept of business analytics and why businesses use analytics to create and sustain competitive advantage. Topics include data types, summarization and graphical display of data, application of basic probability rules, and probability distributions. The course also introduces students to fundamentals of spreadsheets and their use in business applications.  

Course Topics

  1. Introduction to Business Analytics and Data
    1. Descriptive, Predictive, and Prescriptive Analytics
    2. Data types
    3. Data presentation 
    4. Data summarization 
    5. Getting the Right Data 
  2. Probability, Uncertainty, and Decision Making 
    1. Probability 
    2. Discrete random variables 
    3. Continuous random variables 
  3. Visualization of Data and Descriptive Analytics using Excel 
    1. Business spreadsheets 
    2. Graphing and visualizing data 
    3. Functions  
      1. Relative and absolute references 
      2. Using formulas involving arithmetic operators +, -, *, and / 
      3. Using parentheses and percentage calculations 
      4. Numbering formats, e.g., currency, accounting, comma, percent, etc. 
      5. Copy formulas and filling neighboring ranges with data and data series 
      6. Testing conditions (involving =, <, >, <=, >=, AND, OR, etc.)  
      7. “IF” statements 
      8. Using financial functions
    4. Working with data in tables
      1. Sorting, filtering etc. 
      2. Grouping/separating data in a table, generating subtotals, creating summaries 
      3. Designing, building, using, and adding to/modifying PivotTables 
    5. Business modeling 
      1. What-If Analysis using Goal Seek and Data Tables 
      2. Pivot Table and Pivot Chart for the data analysis 
      3. Excel Table for filtering data 

Approach to Learning

This course examines the use of business analytics for understanding and analyzing business problems and for supporting business decision-making. It is geared for the business professional engaged in decision making or decision support.  The emphasis is on business applications, and not mathematics.  Students will possess an adequate level of proficiency in and comfort with spreadsheet software. The format will be lectures and hands-on exposure to data analytics tools, including complex Excel options.  Discussions and questions are highly encouraged. 

Required Texts and Learning Materials

  • Business Analytics, Methods, Models, and Decisions, 3rd Ed., by James R. Evans, Pearson Higher Education, 2020, ISBN-13: 978-0-13-523167-8 

  • Book Rental, Pearson +

  • ISBN with Mylab: 9780135834893  (old edition) 

  • ISBN with Mylab: 9780135311066  (latest digital edition) 

Methods of Student Evaluation

Students are evaluated based on homework, quizzes, case studies, exams, and class activities.

Grading

Homework assignments, Case studies, Quizzes, Class Work, Participation  40%

Exam 1

 20%

Exam 2

 20%
Final Exam 20%

Course Grade

  1. Students must be officially registered in this section to receive a grade. It is the sole responsibility of the student to verify their own registration status. Specifically, you will not receive a grade if your name does not appear on the official class list. Registration problems should be directed to either the College of Business Academic Advisors or the Registrar’s Office. 

  2. Disputes about a grade on assignments/exams/quizzes must be submitted in writing within a week after the grade has been posted. 

  3. The final letter grade is assigned objectively and strictly according to the WEIGHTED average of the numerical scores of all exams, quizzes, and assignments. 

  4. Final course letter grade assignments:

Course Average (%) Course Grade Course Average (%) Course Grade
97.00 to 100 A+ 80.00 to 82.99 B-
93.00 to 96.99 A 77.00 to 79.99 C+
90.00 to 92.99 A- 70.00 to 76.99 C
87.00 to 89.99 B+ 60.00 to 69.99 D
83.00 to 86.99 B 0 to 59.99 F

To promote fairness to all students, final scores are non-negotiable and will not be rounded up.

Assignments Descriptions

Exams
Exam dates are listed in the course schedule. No make-up exams will be given. Each exam will test a combination of mechanical skills and conceptual understanding. The best way to prepare is by regularly attending class and completing all assigned homework and readings. 

Homework, Quizzes & Class Work
All homework assignments are due by Sunday at 11:59 PM EST via Canvas for the relevant class week. Students are expected to read assigned textbook sections before each class session. Graded components will include written homework, quizzes, and classwork. Any additional due dates will be announced in class and promptly posted on Canvas. Late assignments will not be accepted. 

Case Studies
At the conclusion of each module, a case study will be assigned, directly related to the topics covered within that module. The case studies are as follows: 

  • Chapter 1: Performance Lawn Equipment 
  • Chapter 2: People’s Choice Bank 
  • Chapter 3: Performance Lawn Equipment 
  • Chapter 4: Performance Lawn Equipment 
  • Chapter 5: Performance Lawn Equipment 

You are required to thoroughly read each case description, adhere to the specific instructions provided on Canvas, and answer all accompanying questions. Additionally, a comprehensive summary of your analysis, findings, and recommendations must be submitted. 

To receive a grade, you must upload two documents: 

  • An Excel spreadsheet detailing your work and calculations. 

  • A Word document containing a professional summary report of your findings. This report should be written in a clear, concise, and professional manner. 

Attendance / On Time Arrival

Regular class attendance is crucial for success in this course. Please ensure you arrive on time for all lectures. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain any information or materials covered during that session. 

Cell phones must be turned off during class. Please note that any disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. 

Discussion Boards / Participation Grade

For each module discussion, you are required to submit your initial post addressing the module challenges or questions by Wednesday at 11:59 PM EST. Additionally, you must reply to at least one classmate post by Sunday at 11:59 PM EST. 

Your participation will be graded on the quality of your initial post (ensuring it is relevant to the content, references reading materials, and uses proper grammar) and the thoughtfulness of your replies to classmates. 

If you have questions for the instructor, please use the designated "Ask your instructor" discussion forum. Your active engagement in class discussions will also contribute to your overall participation grade. 

Tentative Course Schedule: Spring 2026

You should expect to commit approximately 7-10 hours per week to coursework for this class. All assignments are due by the end of the week in which they are assigned, unless an alternative deadline is explicitly stated. For the purposes of this course, a week is defined as commencing at 12:01 AM EST on Monday and concluding at 11:59 PM EST on the following Sunday. 

Should you have any questions, concerns, or encounter issues with an assignment, please reach out to me promptly to facilitate a timely discussion and resolution. 

This schedule may change. Revisions will be posted on Canvas.

Weeks Learning Modules Assignments

Week 1

Jan. 20 - 25

 Chapter 1: Introduction to Business Analytics   

Week 2

Jan. 26 – Feb. 1

 Chapter 2: Database Analytics   

Week 3

Feb. 2 – 8

 Chapter 2 cont.    

Week 4

Feb. 9 - 15

 Chapter 2 cont.    

Week 5

Feb. 16 - 22

 Chapter 3: Visualization    

Week 6

Feb. 23– Mar. 1

 Chapter 3 cont.    

Week 7

Mar. 2 - Mar. 8

 Chapter 4: Descriptive Statistics  Midterm 1

Week 8

Mar. 9 - 15 

 Spring Recess  

Week 9

Mar. 16 - 22

 Chapter 4 cont.    

Week 10

Mar. 23 - 29

 Chapter 4 cont.    

Week 11

Mar. 30 – Apr. 5

 Chapter 4 cont.    

Week 12

Apr. 6 – 12

 Chapter 5: Probability and Probability Distributions Midterm 2

Week 13

Apr. 13 – 19

 Chapter 5 cont.    

Week 14

Apr. 20 – 26

Chapter 5 cont.  

Thanksgiving Recess: Nov. 27-Dec. 1 

  

Week 15

Apr. 27 – May 3

 Chapter 5 cont.    
May 4  Last Day of Class  

Exam Week

05/06-05/13

 See Final Exam Schedule Final Exam

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