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DAT 302: Data Modeling with Power BI

Course Description

This course provides students with the skills to design, build, and optimize data models and visualizations in Microsoft Power BI. Learners will gain hands-on experience creating and maintaining relationships within data models, forming star schemas, and writing DAX calculations for columns, measures, and time intelligence. The course emphasizes best practices for performance optimization, accessible and audience-focused design, and the use of navigation techniques to enhance user experience. Students will explore a wide range of visualizations, from common charts to specialist visuals, while learning to format, integrate multimedia elements, and add streaming data to reports and dashboards. By the end of the course, students will be able to create compelling, cohesive, and professional reports and dashboards that support insightful data analysis and effective decision-making. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • DAT 301: Data Analysis Techniques

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

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

  1. Create and maintain relationships in a data model for Power BI.
  2. Form a model using a Star Schema for Power BI.
  3. Write calculations DAX to create elements and analysis in Power BI.
  4. Create calculated columns and measures in a model.
  5. Perform useful time intelligence calculations in DAX.  
  6. Optimize performance in a Power BI model.
  7. Recognize the different types of visualizations in Power BI
  8. Add visualizations to reports and dashboards.
  9. Apply formatting choices to visuals within Power BI dashboards.
  10. Add useful navigation techniques to the Power BI report.
  11. Design accessible reports and dashboards in Power BI.
  12. Use visualizations to perform data analysis in Power BI.
  13. Create compelling and cohesive reports and dashboards.
  14. Recognize common problems in design in Power BI Reports and Dashboards.
  15. Produce audience focused reports and dashboards.
  16. Work in detail with specialist chart visualizations.
  17. Use visualizations in reports within Power BI.
  18. Add elements such as videos, streaming data and QR codes to dashboards.

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

1-5

Topics: Concepts for Data Modeling and Using Data Analysis Expressions in Power BI

  • Read and Review:
    • Data Modeling in Power BI - Modules 1 & 2
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 1 quizzes and exercises
  • Submit Week 1 Project

2

1-5

Topics: Power BI Model Performance and Data Modeling

  • Read and Review:
    • Data Modeling in Power BI - Modules 3 & 4
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 2 quizzes and exercises
  • Submit Week 2 Project

3

6-9

Topics: Creating Reports, Navigation, and Accessibility

  • Read and Review:
    • Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI - Modules 1 & 2
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 3 quizzes and exercises
  • Submit Week 3 Project

4

6-9

Topics: Bringing Data to Users and Identifying Patterns and Trends

  • Read and Review:
    • Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI - Modules 3 & 4
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 4 quiz and exercises
  • Submit Week 4 Project

5

10-14

Topics: Designing and Presenting a Data Analysis Solution

  • Read and Review:
    • Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI - Module 5
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 5 quizzes and exercise
  • Submit Week 5 Project

6

10-14

Topic: Visualization and Design for Powerful Report Pages

  • Read and Review:
    • Creative Designing in Power BI - Modules 1 & 2
  • Review assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 6 quizzes and exercises
  • Submit Week 6 Project

7

15-18

Topic: Dashboard Design and Storytelling

  • Read and Review:
    • Creative Designing in Power BI - Modules 3 & 4

 

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

8

15-18

Topic: Capstone Project

  • Read and Review:
    • Deploy and Maintain Power BI Assets and Capstone project - Module 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.