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DAT 301: Data Analysis Techniques

Course Description

This course introduces students to the foundations of data analysis using Microsoft Excel and Power BI, emphasizing practical skills for preparing, managing, and interpreting business data. Students will learn to create and manipulate data in Excel, apply common formulas and functions, and prepare datasets for advanced analysis in Power BI. The course explores how organizations collect and use data to drive decision-making and achieve successful outcomes, while also introducing the stages of the data analysis process. Learners will gain hands-on experience with Power BI, including connecting and configuring multiple data sources, cleaning and transforming data with Power Query, and ensuring data integrity throughout the process. In addition, the course highlights the role, tasks, and essential skills of a Power BI analyst, preparing students to apply analytical tools and techniques in professional contexts. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • DAT 201: Principles of Data Science

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

  1. Create data in Microsoft Excel and prepare it for data analysis. 
  2. Make use of common formulas and functions in a worksheet. 
  3. Prepare Excel data for analysis in Power BI using functions.
  4. Describe how data is produced and gathered in businesses and organizations. 
  5. Outline the role of data in creating data-driven decisions and successful business outcomes. 
  6. Classify key stages in the data analysis process. 
  7. Recognize the skills needed by a Power BI analyst and the tools they use. 
  8. List the tasks performed by a Power BI Data Analyst. 
  9. Recognize the components of Power BI. 
  10. Identify, explain and configure multiple data sources in Power BI
  11. Clean and transform data using Power Query.
  12. Inspect and analyze ingested data to ensure data integrity.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

6%

Quizzes (Weeks 1-8)

24%

Exercises (Weeks 1-8)

35%

Projects (Weeks 1-8)

35%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

  • This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are no cost for students.

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1-3

Topic: Excel Fundamentals

  • Read and Review:
    • Preparing Data for Analysis with Microsoft Excel - Module 1
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 1 quiz and exercise
  • Submit Week 1 Project

2

1-3

Topic: Formulas and Functions

  • Read and Review:
    • Preparing Data for Analysis with Microsoft Excel - Module 2
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 2 quiz and exercises
  • Submit Week 2 Project

3

1-3

Topic: Preparing Data for Analysis Using Functions

  • Read and Review:
    • Preparing Data for Analysis with Microsoft Excel - Modules 3 & 4
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 3 quizzes and exercises
  • Submit Week 3 Project

4

4-9

Topic: Data Analysis in Business

  • Read and Review:
    • Harnessing the Power of Data with Power BI - Module 1
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 4 quiz and exercises
  • Submit Week 4 Project

5

4-9

Topic: Cleaning and Transforming Data with Power Query

  • Read and Review:
    • Harnessing the Power of Data with Power BI – Modules 2 & 3
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 5 quizzes and exercises
  • Submit Week 5 Project

6

10-12

Topic: Data Sources in Power BI

  • Read and Review:
    • Extract, Transform and Load Data in Power BI - Module 1
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 6 quiz and exercise
  • Submit Week 6 Project

7

10-12

Topic:Transforming Data in Power BI

  • Read and Review:
    • Extract, Transform and Load Data in Power BI - Module 2

 

  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 7 quiz and exercises
  • Submit Week 7 Project

8

10-12

Topic: Advanced ETL in Power BI

  • Read and Review:
    • Extract, Transform and Load Data in Power BI - Modules 3 & 4
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 8 quizzes and exercises
  • Submit Week 8 Project
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.