BU.510.650.

XX – Data Analytics – Instructor Name – Page 1 of 7

Data Analytics
2 Credits

BU.510.650.XX
[NOTE: Each section must have a separate syllabus.]

[Day & Time / ex: Monday, 6pm-9pm]

[Start & End Dates / ex: 8/20/18–10/15/18]

[Semester / ex: Fall 2018]

[Location / ex: Washington, DC]
Instructor
[Full Name]

Contact Information
[Email Address]
[Phone Number, ###- ###-#### (Optional)]

Office Hours
[Specify the day and time of the 2 hours that will be dedicated to office hours each week. For evening classes,
faculty may wish to hold their office hours by phone or email. While faculty are permitted to state “and by
appointment,” office hours should not be held exclusively by appointment.]

Texts & Learning Materials

There is no required textbook: All required class materials will be available on our Blackboard website.
However, some books are very useful if you want to learn more about data analytics and its applications. The
best way to learn is by doing (especially for R programming)

Optional Textbook 1 (highly recommend, easy to follow, with many examples and data sets):
Data Mining and Business Analytics with R, by Johannes Ledolter;
Publisher: Wiley (2013), ISBN-13: 978-1118447147;
Available in Johns Hopkins online library: https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/catalog/bib_4637122

Optional Textbook 2 (solid primer, with theory and explanation):

An Introduction to Statistical Learning with Application in R, by Gareth James, Daniela Witten, Trevor
Hastie, Robert Tibshirani;
Publisher: Springer (2013); ISBN-13: 978-1461471370;
Available in Johns Hopkins online library: https://catalyst.library.jhu.edu/catalog/bib_6591386

Optional Textbook 3 (a great advanced text):

Elements of Statistical Learning: Data Mining, Inference, and Prediction, by Trevor Hastie, Robert
Tibshirani and Jerome Friedman, but it requires some mathematical sophistication and goes beyond the
material we will be covering. The book is free at https://web.stanford.edu/~hastie/Papers/ESLII.pdf

Software:
 We require the R Statistical Software, which is powerful and free. R can be downloaded at the link
below: http://www.cran.r-project.org/
 Rstudio is a free platform for both writing and running R, available at www.rstudio.org. Some students
find it friendlier than basic R (especially in windows OS).
 The learning curve is very steep. Students can become proficient in a few weeks. Some manuals are
very helpful to learn R, e.g., http://cran.r-project.org/manuals.html
 I provide limited software instruction, in-class demonstration, and code to accompany lectures and
assignments. We do not assume that you have used R in a previous class. However, this is not a
class on R. Like any language, R is only learned by doing. You should install R as soon as possible
and familiarize yourself with basic operations.
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 Additional resources: (a) Tutorials at data.princeton.edu/R are fantastic (and there are many others out
there). (b) YouTube intros to R, e.g. the series from Google Developers.

Course Description
This course prepares students to gather, describe, and analyze data, and use advanced statistical tools to
make decisions on operations, risk management, finance, marketing, etc. Analysis is done targeting economic
and financial decisions in complex systems that involve multiple partners. Topics include probability, statistics,
hypothesis testing, regression, clustering, decision trees, and forecasting.

Prerequisite(s)
BU.510.601 OR BU.914.610 

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Gather sufficient relevant data, conduct data analytics using scientific methods, and make appropriate
and powerful connections between quantitative analysis and real-world problems.
2. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the concepts and methods; know the exact scopes and
possible limitations of each method; and show capability of using data analytics skills to provide
constructive guidance in decision making.
3. Use advanced techniques to conduct thorough and insightful analysis, and interpret the results
correctly with detailed and useful information.
4. Show substantial understanding of the real problems; conduct deep data analytics using correct
methods; and draw reasonable conclusions with sufficient explanation and elaboration.
5. Write an insightful and well-organized report for a real-world case study, including thoughtful and
convincing details.
6. Make better business decisions by using advanced techniques in data analytics.

To view the complete list of the Carey Business School’s general learning goals and objectives, visit the Carey
website.

Attendance
Attendance and class participation are part of each student’s course grade. Students are expected to attend all
scheduled class sessions. Failure to attend class will result in an inability to achieve the objectives of the
course. Excessive absence will result in loss of points for participation. Regular attendance and active
participation are required for students to successfully complete the course.

Class participation is an important part of learning. If you have a question, it’s likely that others do as well. I
encourage active participation, and course grades will take into account students who make particularly strong
contributions.

Assignments
NOTE: We use rubrics for all assignments. Please see the detailed information at the end of the syllabus.

Assignment Learning Objectives Weight

Attendance and participation in class discussion 10%
Homework 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 30%
Project 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 20%
Final Exam 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 40%
Total 100%

Homework: Weekly individual homework assignments are due by midnight of the next class day. All
homework assignments should be submitted through the Blackboard links.

Group Projects: 2–4 students form a group and work on the projects as a team. Students can identify a
company or a scenario, collect data, and use techniques taught in class to study the data patterns or to
predict future outcomes. Students are required to write a 4- to 6-page project report, and present in class
using PowerPoint slides. Details will be available shortly.
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Final Exam: The final exam is an in-class, closed-book individual written exam.

NOTE: Late submissions—including assignments, projects, and exams—will not be accepted.

Study Groups (not required, but highly recommended)

Many students learn better and faster when working in a group, so I encourage collaborative learning. You can
work together in a study group with 2–4 students to discuss class materials, homework assignments, and
projects on a weekly basis. However, each student must write your homework assignment individually using
your own language; your text should reflect your own understanding of the materials. The study groups can be
different from your project groups.

Grading
The grade of A is reserved for those who demonstrate extraordinarily excellent performance as determined by
the instructor. The grade of A- is awarded only for excellent performance. The grades of B+, B, and B- are
awarded for good performance. The grades of C+, C, and C- are awarded for adequate but substandard
performance. The grades of D+, D, and D- are not awarded at the graduate level (undergraduate only). The
grade of F indicates the student’s failure to satisfactorily complete the course work.

Please note that for Core and Foundation courses, a maximum of 25% of students may be awarded an A
or A-; the grade point average of the class should not exceed 3.3. For Elective courses, a maximum of
35% of students may be awarded an A or A-; the grade point average of the class should not exceed 3 .4.
(For classes with 15 students or fewer, the class GPA cap is waived.)

Tentative Course Calendar

The instructors reserve the right to alter course content and/or adjust the pace to accommodate class
progress. Students are responsible for keeping up with all adjustments to the course calendar.

Recommended Reading
Week Date Weekly Objectives/Topics Assignments
(book by Ledolter)
1 [date] Introduction, Data Summarization and Text, Ch 1, 2
Visualization
2 [date] Linear and Nonlinear Regression Text, Ch 3, 4, 5, 6 HW 1 is due

3 [date] Model Selection Text, Ch 7, 8, 9, 11 HW 2 is due

4 [date] Classification, Logistic Regression Text, Ch 13, 14, 15, 16 HW 3 is due

5 [date] Clustering Text, Ch 19, 20 HW 4 is due

6 [date] Decision Trees Text, Ch 17, 18 HW 5 is due

7 [date] Project Presentation HW 6 is due

8 [date] Final Exam

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Carey Business School Policies and General Information

Blackboard Site
A Blackboard course site is set up for this course. Each student is expected to check the site throughout the
semester as Blackboard will be the primary venue for outside classroom communications between the
instructors and the students. Students can access the course site at https://blackboard.jhu.edu. Support for
Blackboard is available at 1-866-669-6138.

Disability Support Services

All students with disabilities who require accommodations for this course should contact Disability Support
Services at their earliest convenience to discuss their specific needs. If you have a documented disability, you
must be registered with Disability Support Services (carey.disability@jhu.edu or 410-234-9243) to receive
accommodations. For more information, please visit the Disability Support Services webpage.

Academic Ethics Policy

Carey expects graduates to be innovative business leaders and exemplary global citizens. The Carey
community believes that honesty, integrity, and community responsibility are qualities inherent in an exemplary
citizen. The objective of the Academic Ethics Policy (AEP) is to create an environment of trust and respect
among all members of the Carey academic community and hold Carey students accountable to the highest
standards of academic integrity and excellence.

It is the responsibility of every Carey student, faculty member, and staff member to familiarize themselves with
the AEP and its procedures. Failure to become acquainted with this information will not excuse any student,
faculty, or staff from the responsibility to abide by the AEP. Please contact the Student Services office if you
have any questions. For the full policy, please visit the Academic Ethics Policy webpage.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the Johns Hopkins University’s regulation of student conduct is to promote and to
protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as
to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of
the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and
create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically.
Please contact the Student Services office if you have any questions. For the full policy, please visit the
Student Conduct Code webpage.

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center offers free online and in-person one-on-one and group coaching in writing,
presenting, and quantitative courses. For more information on these services and others, or to book an
appointment, please visit the Student Success Center website.

Other Important Policies and Services

Students are encouraged to consult the Student Handbook and Academic Catalog and Student Services and
Resources for information regarding other policies and services.

Copyright Statement
Unless explicitly allowed by the instructor, course materials, class discussions, and examinations are created
for and expected to be used by class participants only. The recording and rebroadcasting of such material, by
any means, is forbidden. Violations are subject to sanctions under the Academic Ethics Policy.
 BU.510.650.XX – Data Analytics – Instructor Name – Page 5 of 7

Appendix. Homework Rubric for Data Analytics Course: Part 1

Assessment Not Good Enough Good Very Good

Score
Criteria (0≤ score <6) (6≤ score <9) (9≤ score ≤10)
Deep Demonstrate inadequate Understand concepts and Demonstrate sophisticated
understanding of understanding of some methods relatively well, understanding for the concepts
theory and its important concepts, analyze data using and methods; know the exact
applications, methods or their acceptable methods scopes and possible
using qualitative applications, e.g., choose although not perfect; be limitations of each method;
methods to wrong methods, conduct able to derive useful show capability of using data
answer business analysis inappropriately, information for decision analytics skills to make right
questions or interpret results making. business decision.
incorrectly.

Implementation Use wrong techniques to Choose acceptable Use advanced techniques to

and analyze data, present methods to analyze data, conduct thorough and
interpretation of inappropriate interpretations are insightful analysis, interpret
data analysis interpretations or sensible, derive useful the results correctly, draw
techniques conclusions. results. right conclusions based on
data analysis.

Ability of solving Data is inadequate or Collect and document just Gather sufficient relevant
real-world unstructured. Use enough data, employ data, conduct data analytics
problems using inappropriate methods to appropriate techniques to using scientific methods,
quantitative analyze data, fail to retrieve insightful make appropriate and
methods retrieve useful information from data, powerful connections between
information. Suggestions make reasonable analysis and real-world
are not persuading. recommendations. problems, provide
constructive guidance in
decision making.

Writing and Report is inadequately Report is concise and Report is well organized and
presenting, written and poorly clearly written. Analyze insightfully written, includes
especially on organized. Analysis is problems following thorough and thoughtful
organization and insufficient. Conclusions scientific strategies; details. Conclusions are
communication are unconvincing. provide useful convincing.
suggestions with detailed
explanation.

Total Score
Comments:
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Appendix. Homework Rubric for Data Analytics Course: Part 2

Assessment Not Good Enough Good Very Good Scor

Criteria (0≤ score <6) (6≤ score <9) (9≤ score ≤10) e
Interpretation of Little or no attempt to Interpret most data Data are completely and
Data interpret data; or there correctly; part of appropriately interpreted; there
(qualitative) are significant errors; or conclusions may be is no over- or under-
some data are over- or suspect; suggestions on interpretation; draw convincing
under-interpreted. future implementation are conclusions.
sound.
Statistical Statistical methods are Most statistical methods Statistical methods are fully
Analysis completely misapplied or are correctly applied but and correctly applied;
(quantitative) applied but with more could have been demonstrate superior data
significant errors or done with the data. analysis skills; deeply mine the
omissions. Choose Predictions are sensible data and obtain useful insights
inappropriate methods but may deviate from the for decision making.
and make wrong true results in a large
predictions. range.

Critical Blindly accept defective Recognize defective Show deep understanding for
evaluation of results; or recognize results and figure out the the sources of errors; recognize
findings defective results but does causes; understand the defective results and eliminates
not know how to fix main sources of errors. the causes.
them.
Ability to draw Not draw conclusions; Draw correct conclusion; Demonstrate substantial
proper draw incorrect suggestions may have understanding of the problem;
conclusions and conclusions; suggestions potential impact on the conduct deep data analytics
make effective are not acceptable. future business. using correct methods; draw
suggestions correct conclusions with
sufficient explanation and
elaboration.

Total Score
Comments: