TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
BSAD 153 – Introduction to Business Data Analytics
Course Syllabus – Spring 2021

Prerequisite
None

Course Meeting Times (Spring 2021)

Block 1 - (January 11 – March 3)
Sec 2 – Monday & Wednesday, 1:30 – 2:20, Violette Hall 1432

Modality
This course will be taught as an on-line course with optional lab time available during noted class times.

Lectures will be recorded with links uploaded to Blackboard. Homework assignments will be distributed
through Blackboard and are to be turned in through Blackboard. Quizzes will also be given through
Blackboard during the official class time. The Final Exam is to be taken in person. Closer to the final exam,
we will let you know what room you will test in.

A lab will be available during class time in which students can attend VH 1432 during the timeslot to receive
one-on-one tutoring from the GTRA teaching the course, to work on assigned homework, and/or have
access to a computer. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this lab time. However, due to
physical distancing requirements, students must reserve a space prior to attending any lab.

Instructor
Heather Amos ~ Violette Hall 2340 ~ 660-785-4361 ~ heathera@truman.edu

GTRA: Savana Luebbert ~ Violette Hall 2322 ~ sluebbert@truman.edu

Office Hours: By Appointment Only

Textbook
Exam 77-420 Microsoft Excel 2013, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1st Edition, ISBN 978-0470133088.

Course Description
Introduction to business data analytics uses applications to solve business problems. Utilizes Microsoft
Excel as a decision support and business data analytics tool. Current and emerging data analytics tools will
be introduced as appropriate.

Course Learning Objectives

The course objective is to gain proficiency in utilizing Microsoft Excel commonly used by business
professionals as a data analytics tool.

Teaching Method
Demonstrations of skills will be recorded and made available through Blackboard. Hands on activities will
be used to introduce Microsoft Excel and its effective use. Homework assignments will reinforce and
expand student proficiency. Timely completion of homework assignments is critical to success in this class.

Final Exam
The Final Exam will be given in person on the date noted in the schedule below. Approval to take the Final
Exam other than in person must be approved by Heather Amos, the coordinating instructor.

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The Final Exam is currently scheduled to be in person. If overall circumstances were to change and the
University were to switch to a fully online format, students may be required to purchase Proctorio for the
Final Exam.

Proctorio
The Final Exam within this course may require online proctoring if not taken in person. Therefore, students
will be required to have a webcam (external or built-in) with a microphone when taking an exam or quiz.
Students understand that this remote recording device is purchased and controlled by the student and that
students should select private spaces for the testing. Students with concerns may discuss the location of an
appropriate space for the recordings with their instructor or advisor.

There is a fee that will be charged to you the student at the time of the proctored exam. That fee may be up
to $10 per exam. (Discounts may occasionally be in effect and are not under the control of Truman).

Proctored exam information will be provided prior to any proctored exam. Be aware you must use Google
Chrome to take the exam, install the Proctorio Chrome browser extension (from getproctorio.com), and
show an official photo identification (ID). You can use either a valid driver’s license, passport, or school ID.

For additional information about online proctoring, students may visit the Proctorio Support For Students
website.

Student Evaluation
Evaluation will be based on assignments, quizzes, and final exam. Homework and in-class assignments will
usually be worth 10 points but may vary depending on the nature of the assignment. All assignments are
due by the end of the class period following the one in which they are assigned. All assignments will be
submitted on Blackboard. Any technical difficulties you are having with Blackboard should be brought to the
attention of the instructor in a timely manner.

There will also be several chapter quizzes, typically worth 15 points each. These quizzes will be given on-line
using Blackboard testing your knowledge of concepts and definitions.

The Assignments and Quizzes will count for 20% of your grade in the class. The Final Comprehensive Exam
will count for 80%. You must pass the course with a C or better before you will be allowed to register for
upper level business and accounting classes.

Late assignments will not be accepted.

Topics Covered:
 Excel Basics: User experience, getting help, tips, and customizing Excel
 Worksheet Design: Building, Formatting, Editing, Proofing, Managing & Printing Worksheets
 Formulas & Functions: Building Basic Functions, Logical Functions & Error Trapping, Date and Time
Functions, Math and Statistical functions, Lookup & Text Formulas
 Collaboration & Review: Protecting a workbook, Linking workbooks, Reviewing and Sharing
workbooks
 Charts & Graphics: Creating Charts & Adding Graphic Data
 Data Management: Building, Maintaining, & Filtering Lists
 Data Analysis: Creating Pivot Tables

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Facemask Policy
Consistent with guidance for higher education institutions from the Centers for Disease Control and to help
us reduce the possible spread of COVID-19, during labs or while meeting for office hours, you will be
required to wear a face covering that completely covers your nose and mouth. You will be expected to keep
the covering on at all times during any meeting. In the event you arrive to either a lab or office hour
meeting without a face covering, you will be asked to leave until you are able to obtain one and return.
Thank you for your help in containing this virus and helping to protect your peers.

Absence Policy
Since this class is being administered online, attendance will not be tracked. Any assignments or quizzes
missed without prior notice and approval cannot be made up.

Time Requirement
During the course of the semester, you can expect to spend at least 6 hours a week (on average) working
on this course.

Communications
This course will use Blackboard to post class related documents.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones should be turned off or turned to silent and stowed prior to attending any lab. No visible
cellphone is permitted during any exam.

Disability Services
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to
contact both me and the Disability Services office (x4478) as soon as possible.  For more information, see
http://disabilityservices.truman.edu/

Emergency Procedures
In each classroom on campus, there is a poster of emergency procedures explaining best practices in the
event of an active shooter/hostile intruder, fire, severe weather, bomb threat, power outage, and medical
emergency.  This poster is also available as a PDF at this link:
http://police.truman.edu/files/2015/12/Emergency-Procedures.pdf .

Students should be aware of the classroom environment and note the exits for the room and building. For
more detailed information about emergency procedures, please consult the Emergency Guide for Academic
Buildings: http://police.truman.edu/emergency-procedures/academic-buildings/

This six-minute video provides some basic information on how to react in the event there is an active
shooter in your location: http://police.truman.edu/emergency-procedures/active-shooter/active-
shooter-preparedness-video/.

Truman students, faculty, and staff can sign up for the TruAlert emergency text messaging service via
TruView.  TruAlert sends a text message to all enrolled cell phones in the event of an emergency at the
University. To register, sign in to TruView and click on the “Truman” tab. Click on the registration link in the
lower right of the page under the “Update and View My Personal Information” channel on the “Update
Emergency Text Messaging Information” link. During a campus emergency, information will also be posted
on the TruAlert website http://trualert.truman.edu/.
 

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Academic Honesty
Academic integrity is a standard set for this course. Students are expected to complete all of their
coursework and assignments individually unless otherwise assigned. Students are encouraged to consult
each other on daily homework assignments with the following caveat. Every student should start with
his/her own Excel file he/she created and do 100% of the work in working with the data. Not doing so is
academic dishonesty. Providing your spreadsheet to a classmate for any reason (even so they can “see how
you did it”) is also academic dishonesty. Students are expected to work alone on the exams and quizzes
without the use of any outside resources. Students are expected to be honest in their interactions with the
professor. A student not upholding these expectations is subject to failing this course and may be reported
to the Dean of Student Affairs Office and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Title IX Statement:
As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. I
also have a mandatory reporting responsibility related to my role as a faculty member. I am required to
share information regarding sexual misconduct or information about a crime that may have occurred on
Truman’s campus with the University. Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting
University Counseling Services at 660-785-4014 (660-665-5621 for after-hours crisis counseling).

Tentative Schedule is below. I reserve the right to make changes at any time with notice to the class.

Day Date Topic Homework

Mon 1/11 Lesson 01: Excel Basics Lesson 01 HW Due 1/13
Wed 1/13 Lesson 02/03: Operators & Formulas Lesson 02/03 HW Due 1/20
Mon 1/18 NO CLASS - MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY  
Wed 1/20 Lesson 04: Vlookup & Formatting Lesson 04 HW Due 1/25
Mon 1/25 Quiz 1 -Lessons 01 - 04  
Wed 1/27 Lesson 05: If Statements Lesson 05 HW Due 2/1
Mon 2/1 Lesson 06: Advanced Functions Part 1 Lesson 06 HW Due 2/3
Wed 2/3 Lesson 07: Advanced Functions Part 2 Lesson 07 HW Due 2/8
Mon 2/8 Lesson 08: Charts and Graphs Lesson 08 HW Due 2/10
Wed 2/10 Review Day  
Mon 2/15 Quiz 2 - Lessons 05 - 08  
Wed 2/17 Lesson 09: Pivot Tables Lesson 09 HW Due 2/22
Mon 2/22 Lesson 10: Pivot Chart Lesson 10 HW Due 2/24
Wed 2/24 Review Day Part 1 Study for Final Exam
Mon 3/1 Review Day Part 2 Study for Final Exam
Wed 3/3 Excel Final Exam