ACIS 1504

Intro to Business Analytics & Business Intelligence

Fall 2022

INSTRUCTOR: Jason Sharp, CPA, CMA, CIA

OFFICE: Pamplin 3099
E-MAIL: jsharp16@vt.edu
OFFICE HOURS: TBA (To Be Announced on Canvas Announcements)

Course Goals:
Introduction to Business Analytics with emphasis on the role of software as a tool to develop Business
Intelligence to improve decision making. Design and development of spreadsheet and database
solutions employing analytical techniques on large data sets to produce quality information. Ethical
considerations of information management.

Course Objectives:
 Become familiar with the Data Analytics Framework when working on data analytics projects.
 Learn the basics of a data audit, data internal controls, and the data analytics model.
 Start to become more effective and efficient (and feel more confident) using various data
analytics tools for basic data analytics projects. My goal is that you feel confident and
knowledgeable using Microsoft Excel in other courses and in your future professional career.
 Begin to feel comfortable working with big datasets.
 Learn how to effectively communicate the decisions and discoveries uncovered within a data
analytics project.

Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Required Course Material:

Data Analytics Using Microsoft Excel (with Accounting and Finance Datasets), 3rd edition, by Joseph M.
Manzo (Flatworld).

Course material website:

https://students.flatworldknowledge.com/course/2601184

My recommendation for the textbook is going to be the option that is "Color Printed Textbook with
online access" for $60.95. This will give you online access to the online homework system which will be
used to complete the homework in the course, it will give you access to the e-textbook, and you will
receive a color textbook which will benefit you in the course. Also, please see the “Announcements”
section of canvas for additional info on why you want to purchase the hardcopy textbook.

Each student will also need to make sure they have Microsoft Excel.

VT Undergraduate Software Bundle website:

https://itpals.vt.edu/softwarelicensingcenter/studentsoftware/swbundles.html

Grading:
There is a total of 4,000 possible points in the course. You will earn points for Flatworld homework
assignments and the three exams given in the course. The grading scale and points breakdown are
below:

Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

Grade (%) Total Points

A (92.93 – 100) 3,717 or more
A- (90 – 92.92) 3,600 – 3,716
B+ (86.80 – 89.99) 3,472 – 3,599
B (82.80 – 86.79) 3,312 – 3,471
B- (80 – 82.79) 3,200 – 3,311
C+ (76.83 – 79.99) 3,073 – 3,199
C (72.95 – 76.82) 2,918 – 3,072
C- (70 – 72.94) 2,800 – 2,917
D+ (66.68 – 69.99) 2,667 – 2,799
D (62.83 – 66.67) 2,513 – 2,666
D- (60 – 62.82) 2,400 – 2,512
F (below 60) Less than 2,400
Points earned on the following items will determine your grade:

Category (percentage of overall total) Points

Homework (25.00%) – see homework breakdown section of syllabus. 1,000
Exam #1 (25.00%) – Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 1,000
Exam #2 (25.00%) – Chapters 6, 7, 8, & 9 1,000
Final Exam (25.00%) – Chapters 1 thru 10 1,000
TOTAL (100%) 4,000

Note: Do NOT expect any curve at the end of the semester. You will find out that I provide you plenty of
help when it comes to the homework assignments and preparing for the exams in the course. If you end
up with any partial points at the end of the semester, it will be rounded up to the next whole point.

Practice, Practice, Practice…... Unlike other courses you may have taken, you cannot get by with simply
reading the lecture notes and/or listening to the lecture videos. The majority of this course is learning how
to become effective and efficient in Microsoft Excel. My recommendation is to either do one of two things
when working on the course material. One way is to attempt the specific chapter sections on your own by
following the specific steps in the textbook to learn the various features in Excel. Once finished or if you run
into issues, I would then watch my lecture videos walking you through the specific steps in the specific
textbook section. The second way is to watch the lecture videos first and then attempt to walk through the
steps on your own after watching the specific lecture videos on the topic area. Both ways should help you
learn the specific topic areas and it should help prepare you to complete the homework exercises at the end
of each chapter. The homework exercises will be another chance to practice what you have learned in the
chapter but will use different business examples. You will find that some of the homework questions may
relate to the specific Data Analytics Projects that are the main examples in the chapter text. My
recommendation on the homework is to attempt the homework exercises by yourself, following along the
steps outlined in each exercise, however, I will post homework help videos for most chapter exercises which
should confirm whether or not you are doing the exercise correctly. I may also post some check answers in
the Announcements section of Canvas to help you complete the homework exercises. By the time you
reach the exams, you would have practiced applying the topic areas in Microsoft Excel during the lecture
videos (ie, various Data Analytics Projects) and on the various homework exercises. You will then apply your
knowledge of the various topics on the exams in the course. By the time you get to the end of the semester
(course) you will feel much more confident using Microsoft Excel and will be able to apply some of the
techniques learned in other business school classes and beyond. I truly believe that if you put in the time
to understand all the chapter Data Analytics Projects and the chapter homework exercises (which discuss
different business scenarios), you should leave this course feeling like this time was well spent and you
learned something very relevant to the business world (regardless of your chosen major).
Do not wait until the last minute to ask for help! If you are having trouble understanding the course
material and/or the homework problems, watch ALL of the videos, read the textbook, be proactive about
I want everyone
emailing the professor/UTA’s, and review the powerpoint slides (if necessary).

to succeed in this course but you need to be willing to put in

the effort as well.

Extra Credit:
At the end of the semester, if you fill out the SPOT survey “course evaluation” and provide evidence that
you have filled it out, you will receive 10 extra bonus points (not 10%) that will be added into your overall
total points for the course. The SPOT survey does not open up until the week before final exams and I will
give you more information on how to provide me evidence of completion once we get closer to the end of
the semester.

Canvas:
The learning management system “LMS” used in this course is Canvas. Please make sure you can access
and navigate the Canvas site. Information about the course including the course syllabus, course schedule,
lecture videos, homework help videos, exam review sheets, and powerpoint slides will be located in the
Canvas site. The gradebook for the course is located in Canvas as well. The gradebook should be updated
when you complete homework assignments and exams. Also, I will post important announcements related
to the course in the Announcements section of the Canvas page. I believe you will receive an email when I
have posted any “Announcements” with Canvas. Please make sure you are reviewing items (including
announcements) on Canvas each day.

Examinations:
There will be two midterm exams and a final exam (50 questions each). The exams will consist of multiple
choice questions and some true/false questions. Most of the questions will probably be multiple choice. I
will provide more information on each exam as we get closer to the exam dates. You will also be using the
LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor for each exam. Each exam question is worth 20 points (1,000
points per exam).

Course examinations will be given on the following dates:

Exam 1: Tuesday, September 27 (must be completed by 11:59 pm EST)

Exam 2: Tuesday, November 8 (must be completed by 11:59 pm EST)

Final Exam: Saturday, December 10 (must be completed by 11:59 pm EST)

Make-up Exams:
Make-up exams will ONLY be given if you have a documented family emergency, medical condition, etc…
Medical conditions or other circumstances that cause a student to miss a scheduled exam must be
documented and approved by the Dean of Students Office. The contact information for the Dean of
Students Office is dean.students@vt.edu The Dean of Students Office phone is 540.231.3787. All makeup
exams are handled by Jason Sharp, the course instructor. The course instructor can be contacted via email
at jsharp16@vt.edu. The course instructor has final authority to determine if your absence is justified and
whether you can take a makeup exam. This course has approximately 1,350 students for the Fall 2022
semester, so it must be something that’s a documented emergency.

Using LockDown Browser and a Webcam (Respondus Monitor) for Online Exams:

This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam (Respondus Monitor) for online exams.
The webcam can be built into your computer or can be the type that plugs in with a USB cable. See the
“Announcements” section on Canvas with additional announcements about using LockDown Browswer &
Respondus Monitor. I should have some announcements regarding LockDown Browser & Respondus
Monitor by Week #2.

Homework:

The homework assignments for the course can be accessed via the “Assignments” link within Canvas. The
homework will be automatically graded and posted to the Canvas gradebook when you have completed the
assignment. Each chapter will have at least two assignments (except Chapter 9) and the due dates can be
found on both the homework breakdown section on the next page and within the course schedule (see the
canvas site). When you click on each homework assignment I should have detailed instructions on how
many attempts you receive for each homework. Most homework assignments I give you at least two
attempts and you should be able to view your incorrect responses after each attempt. Your highest grade
out of all attempts will be recorded in the canvas gradebook. You should also notice that I have posted
plenty of homework help videos on the canvas site that you should find very helpful when working on the
assignments. Most of the homework help videos will relate to assignments/exercises from Chapter 3 thru
Chapter 10. The first two chapters will not have many help videos since most of the questions relate to
foundational material found in the textbook (ie, textbook questions). Chapters 3 thru 10 are homework
assignments applying your knowledge of how to use various functions within Microsoft Excel given various
business scenarios (ie, accounting and finance datasets).

DO NOT wait until the evening the homework assignment is due to start working on it. You may not be able
to finish the homework by the deadline. Homework deadlines are strictly observed, so be proactive about
completing the assignments well ahead of the deadline. Extensions on homework will only be given for
extenuating circumstances. If you have questions on homework, first, make sure to watch the homework
help video and if you still have questions, I would email the course instructor or the undergraduate teaching
assistant for the course. I will try to answer my emails as quickly as I can, but realize this course has more
than 1,300 students and I never know how many emails I am going to get on a daily basis. I will try and
answer emails within 24 hours but it could take up to 48 hours (if I receive a significant number of emails).
Homework Breakdown*:

Chapter Points Due Date

Chapter 1 – Homework #1 (Textbook Questions) 30 points Due on 8/25.

Chapter 1 – Homework #2 (DA Exercise #2) 20 points Due on 8/25.

Chapter 2 – Homework #1 (Textbook Questions) 55 points Due on 9/1.

Chapter 2 – Homework #2 (DA Exercises #1 & #2) 45 points Due on 9/1.

Chapter 3 – Homework #1 (DA Exercise #1) 40 points Due on 9/8.

Chapter 3 – Homework #2 (DA Exercise #2) 40 points Due on 9/8.
Chapter 3 – Homework #3 (ADAS Exercise #3, DA Project #1) 45 points Due on 9/8.

Chapter 4 – Homework #1 (DA Exercise #1) 52 points Due on 9/15.

Chapter 4 – Homework #2 (DA Exercise #2, DA Project #2) 74 points Due on 9/15.

Chapter 5 – Homework #1 (DA Exercise #1) 52 points Due on 9/22.

Chapter 5 – Homework #2 (DA Exercise #2, DA Project #3) 72 points Due on 9/22.

Chapter 6 – Homework #1 (DA Exercise #1) 52 points Due on 10/6.

Chapter 6 – Homework #2 (DA Exercise #2) 32 points Due on 10/6.
Chapter 6 – Homework #3 (ADAS Exercise #4) 16 points Due on 10/6.

Chapter 7 – Homework #1 (DA Exercise #1) 48 points Due on 10/13.

Chapter 7 – Homework #2 (DA Exercise #2, DA Project #5) 75 points Due on 10/13.

Chapter 8 – Homework #1 (DA Exercise #1) 52 points Due on 10/27.

Chapter 8 – Homework #2 (Textbook Questions) 48 points Due on 10/27.

Chapter 9 – Homework #1 (Textbook Questions & DA Ex. #2) 50 points Due on 11/3.

Chapter 10 – Homework #1 (DA Exercise #1) 52 points Due on 11/17.

Chapter 10 – Homework #2 (DA Exercise #2) 50 points Due on 11/17.

Total Points 1,000 points

*Due note that some of the questions on the homework assignments might be directly on the Data
Analytics (“DA”) Projects that are discussed within the chapter. If you are watching my lecture videos and
working through the excel projects, you should not have any issues with these questions since I assume you
have done all the work to complete the various Data Analytics Projects.
Special Accommodations:
Students who require special accommodations for exams should submit the Faculty Accommodations form
to Jason Sharp (jsharp16@vt.edu) no later than Friday, September 9, 2022.

The Office for Services for Students with Disabilities can be reached at:

website: www.ssd.vt.edu

email: ssd@vt.edu

Academic Honesty:

Honesty in your academic work will develop into professional integrity. The faculty and students of Virginia
Tech will not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty.

The Undergraduate Honor Code pledge that each member of the university community agrees to abide by
states:

“As a Hokie, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I
accept the actions of those who do.”

Students enrolled in this course are responsible for abiding by the Honor Code. A student who has doubts
about how the Honor Code applies to any assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from
the course instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Ignorance of the rules does not
exclude any member of the University community from the requirements and expectations of the Honor
Code. For additional information about the Honor Code, please visit:

http://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/

1. All assignments submitted shall be considered "graded work” and all aspects of your coursework are
covered by the Honor Code. All exams and homework assignments are to be completed individually unless
otherwise specified.

2. Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute academic misconduct. This listing is not,
however, exclusive of other acts that may reasonably be said to constitute academic misconduct.
Clarification is provided for each definition with some examples of prohibited behaviors in the
Undergraduate Honor Code Manual located at: https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/

A. CHEATING
Cheating includes the intentional use of unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or other
devices or materials in any academic exercise, or attempts thereof.
B. PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, programming, computer code, ideas, and/or
thoughts of another and passing off the same as one's own original work, or attempts thereof.

C. FALSIFICATION
Falsification includes the statement of any untruth, either verbally or in writing, with respect to any
element of one's academic work, or attempts thereof

D. FABRICATION
Fabrication includes making up data and results, and recording or reporting them, or submitting
fabricated documents, or attempts thereof.

E. MULTIPLE SUBMISSION
Multiple submission involves the submission for credit—without authorization of the instructor
receiving the work—of substantial portions of any work (including oral reports) previously submitted
for credit at any academic institution, or attempts thereof.

F. COMPLICITY
Complicity includes intentionally helping another to engage in an act of academic misconduct, or
attempts thereof.

G. VIOLATION OF UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENTAL, PROGRAM, COURSE, OR FACULTY RULES

The violation of any University, College, Departmental, Program, Course, or Faculty Rules relating to
academic matters that may lead to an unfair academic advantage by the student violating the rule(s).

“If you have questions or are unclear about what constitutes academic misconduct on an assignment,
please speak with me. I take the Honor Code very seriously in this course. The normal sanction I will
recommend for a violation of the Honor Code is an F* sanction as your final course grade. The F represents
failure in the course. The “*” is intended to identify a student who has failed to uphold the values of
academic integrity at Virginia Tech. A student who receives a sanction of F* as their final course grade shall
have it documented on their transcript with the notation “FAILURE DUE TO ACADEMIC HONOR CODE
VIOLATION.” You would be required to complete an education program administered by the Honor System
in order to have the “*” and notation “FAILURE DUE TO ACADEMIC HONOR CODE VIOLATION” removed
from your transcript. The “F” however would be permanently on your transcript.”
Course Changes:
Please be aware that the tentative course schedule is a general guide and may be changed as we go
through the semester. I will let you know about any changes to the syllabus via Canvas announcement
and/or by email. It is your responsibility to keep up with any changes that are announced.

VT Principles of Community:

Please treat everyone in the class with the utmost respect and civility. Think of yourself as a role model and
future business professional. The classroom (in-class or virtual) should be one where all students feel
welcome, appreciated, and provide the best learning environment possible.

We should all uphold and practice the Virginia Tech “Principles of Community” each and every day:

http://inclusive.vt.edu/vtpoc0.html

Outside Help, Tutoring and Campus Resources

If you feel you need to a tutor you can contact me and I can put you in touch with a student that
provides tutoring services thru the Student Success Center. The Student Success Center may not have
any additional tutors for this course since we are provided three Undergraduate Teaching Assistants
“UTA’s”. The UTA’s information and office hours will be provided on the course canvas page during the
first or second week of the course.

You can also contact the Student Success Center here on campus for tutoring and other aids. Here is a
link to the Student Success Center:
www.studentsuccess.vt.edu

Another resource for students is the Cook Counseling Center:

www.ucc.vt.edu

The Virginia Tech Dean of Students office can be reached at:

www.dos.vt.edu