DTBS 0006 - Data Foundations
Course Description
Data is everywhere and is constantly being collected, which can feel very intimidating. This course helps you learn the basics of data, so you can replace fear with confidence in leveraging it to make informed decisions. You’ll explore where data can be gathered and how to manipulate, analyze and visualize it. No matter which industry or project you want to apply data analysis to, understanding the fundamentals gives you a competitive advantage.
This online course includes weekly recorded lectures, assignments and instructor feedback, allowing you the convenience to work any time of day as your schedule permits and submit assignments according to due dates. Weekly participation is required. An optional video call may be scheduled at a time mutually agreed upon by students and the instructor.
Course Outline/Topics
Introduction to data analysis
- What is data
- Transition from data to information to knowledge
- How data and statistics can be used to inform
- How data is used in the world
- Difference between data analysis, data analytics and data science
- Where you can gather data from
Types of data
- Quantitative vs qualitative
- Subjective vs objective
- Structured vs unstructured
Big Data
- What defines Big Data
- Who is using Big Data to drive decision making
- How Big Data affects your life
Data cleanup and manipulation
- What is messy data
- What is missing data
- Cleanup procedures
Data analysis
- Descriptive analytics
- Predictive analytics
- Prescriptive analytics
Data visualization
- Examples of data visualization
- How it can be used to drive decision making
- Charts
- Infographics
- Dashboards
- Storytelling
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
- Obtain, manipulate and clean data
- Analyze and interpret data to create information and knowledge
- Visualize and communicate your data in a meaningful manner
Notes
This is an online class with weekly recorded lectures, assignments and instructor feedback using online tools. Work any time of day as your schedule permits and submit assignments according to due dates. Weekly participation is required. An optional video call may be scheduled at a time mutually agreed upon by students and the instructor.
Prerequisites
None
Who Should Attend
This introductory course is ideal for anyone looking to harness data to enhance business operations, inform decision-making, or gain customer insights, regardless of industry or sector.
If you are pursuing the Data Analysis Certificate, it is recommended to take this course at the start of your program. However, if you are already working in a data-related field, you may take this course out of sequence after consulting with the program manager.
For program manager contact information, please refer to the details provided on this page.
Testimonials
" I really enjoyed that the content changed based on what people already knew and wanted to learn more about. It was nice to not have a bunch of information that I already knew shown. Corey was great at adjusting how he was talking, his examples and how detailed of a conversation there was about each topic."
-Morgan Bauer, MilliporeSigma, Participant, February 2021
"Corey was very clear and organized in this class. He had energy to spare and was incredibly approachable. He made the class fun, but kept it productive."
-Participant, February 2021
"This was the perfect intro course to data analytics."
-Participant, February 2021
Applies Towards the Following Credentials
- Business Analysis Certificate : Elective
- Data Analysis Certificate : Core