2 Syllabus
Instructor: Tobin Turner
Office Hours: mutually convenient time arranged by email e-mail: jtturner@presby.edu
2.1 Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
This course is designed to introduce to data science. Students will apply statistical knowledge and techniques to both business and non-business contexts.
At the end of this course students should be able to:
- Demonstrate mastery of the statistical software in R and the Rstudio IDE.
- Data wrangle (the process of cleaning and unifying messy and complex data sets for easy access and analysis)
- Demonstrate mastery of single and multiple regression.
- Demonstrate mastery of these dplyr functions: filter, select, mutate, group_by, summaize, and tally.
- Demonstrate mastery of how business analytics is related to other business functions and is important to the success of the business entity.
This course will be focused on both understanding and applying key business analytical concepts. Although the text serves as a useful foundation for the concepts covered in the class, simple memorization of the material in the text will not be sufficient. Class participation, discussion, and application are critical.
2.2 Text and Resources
- The course website (primary resource)
- An Introduction to Statistical Learning with Applications in R; by Gareth James, Daniela Witten, Trevor Hastie and Robert Tibshirani
- R: A self-learn tutorial.
- Other free, publicly available datasets and publications.
2.3 Performance Evaluation (Grading)
- Quizzes and Assignments - 20%
- Exam 1 - 20%
- Exam 2 - 20%
- Exam 3 - 20%
- Final Exam - 20%
2.3.1 Exams
Exams will cover assigned chapters in the textbook, other assigned readings, lectures, class exercises, class discussions, videos, and guest speakers. I will typically allocate time prior to each exam to clearly identify the body of knowledge each test will cover and to answer questions about the format and objectives of the exam.
If you miss an exam without approval from the instructor PRIOR to the exam, you may receive a zero grade for the exam. See attendance section below for more details.
2.3.2 Quizzes – DON’T MISS CLASS
- The average of all quizzes and assignments will comprise the Quizzes and Assignments - 20% portion of your final grade
- Quizzes are designed to prepare you for your exams and to ensure you stay up whit the course material
- Missed quizzes cannot be made up later. Be present.
2.4 Class Participation:
I will frequently give readings or assignments for you to complete prior to the next class meeting. I expect you to fully engage the material: answer questions, pose questions, provide insightful observations. Keep in mind that quality is an important component in “participation.” Periodic cold calls will take place. I will also put students in the “hot seat” on occasion. In these class sessions, I may select a random group of students to lead us in the discussion and debate. Because the selection of participants will not be announced until class begins, everyone will be expected to prepare for the discussion. Reading the assigned chapters and articles are the best way to prepare for the discussion. If you have concerns about being called on in class, please see me to discuss. The purpose of the “hot seat” is not to stress or embarrass students, but to encourage students to actively engage the material.
2.5 Phones
Phones are not allowed to be used in class without the instructor’s prior consent. If you have a need of a phone during class please let me know before class. Unauthorized use of electronic devices may result in the lowering of the grade or dismissal from the class. I mean this.
The phone thing? I mean this.
2.6 Attendance
You are expected to be regular and punctual in your class attendance. Students are responsible for all the material missed and homework assignments made. If class is missed, notes/homework should be obtained from another student. If I am more than 15 minutes late, class is considered cancelled. No more than 4 absences are allowed during a semester. Exceeding the absence policy may result in receiving an F for the course. The professors roll is the official roll and students not present when roll is taken will be counted as absent. If a student must miss an exam, she or he must work out an agreeable time with the instructor to take the test prior to the exam being given. If a student misses a test due to an emergency, the student must inform the instructor as soon as is possible. In special cases, the instructor may allow the student to take a make-up exam.
Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to give the instructor one week’s notice prior to each instance where accommodation will be required.
2.7 Honor Code and Plagiarism:
All assignments/exams must be your own work. Any copying or use of unauthorized assistance will be treated as a violation of PC’s Honor Code. If you are unsure of what resources are allowed, please ask. Please note that all text longer than 7 words taken from ANY other source must be placed in quotations and cited. Also, summarizing ANY other source must also be cited. Using ANY other source and showing work to be your own is a violation of plagiarism and the honor code.
2.8 First-Generation Version:
I am a Presby First+ Advocate. I am here to support our current first-generation students. At Presbyterian College, first-generation students are those in which neither parent nor legal guardian graduated from a four-year higher education institution with a bachelor’s degree. If you are a first-generation college student, please contact me. For more information about support for first-generation college students on our campus visit our Presby First+ webpage.
2.9 Continuing Advocate Version
I am a Presby First+ Advocate. I am committed to supporting first-generation students at Presbyterian College. At Presbyterian College, first-generation students are those in which neither parent nor legal guardian graduated from a four-year higher education institution with a bachelor’s degree. If you are a first-generation college student, please contact me anytime or visit me during my office hours. For more information about support for first-generation college students on our campus visit our Presby First+ webpage.
2.10 Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Syllabus Statements
Presbyterian College is committed to ensuring students from all faiths, identities and backgrounds have access to the services they need to thrive during their time learning in the classroom, living in our housing facilities, eating in the dining hall, or attending events on campus.
2.11 Accessible Education
To seek accommodations under the American Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, you must start the process yourself by completing the online form available on our website at https://www.presby.edu/academics/academic-resources-support/accommodations-for-disabilities/ and submitting appropriate documentation to accommodations@presby.edu. Accommodations will become effective once the structured exchange and documentation review processes are complete.
2.12 Bias Reporting
Students are encouraged to report all acts of discrimination, spoken or written hate speech, harassment, offensive visual representations, threats, vandalism, and physical confrontations by using the bias reporting form available at https://www.presby.edu/about/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion/bias-incident-reporting/. All forms are sent directly to the VP for JEDI and will be addressed according to institutional policies and procedures.
2.13 Counseling and Health
Recognizing physical and mental health are vitally important to academic success, we encourage students to take advantage of the counseling and health care services available on campus. To schedule an appointment with Counseling, feel free to call (864) 833-8263 or email counselingandhealth@presby.edu.
We also have a nurse practitioner in the Student Health Center Monday through Friday 11am – 1:15pm. To schedule an appointment, call (864) 833-8400. If an appointment is needed outside of those hours and off-campus, please call Family Health Care at (864) 833-5986.
2.14 Presby First+ Program
The Presby First+ Program takes a holistic approach to helping first-generation college students accomplish their education and career goals. By connecting students with campus and community resources, the program positions students for success.
As a Presby First+ Advocate, I am committed to supporting first-generation college students. (Insert if applicable: I was a first-generation college student, meaning neither one of my parents had earned a bachelor’s degree, so I may have experienced some of the things you will face during your journey.) Know that you have lots of people wanting to see you thrive, so please use them as a resource. You can contact me anytime via email or stopping by my office. More information about the Presby First+ program is available on our website.
2.15 Title IX Syllabus Statement
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Presbyterian College prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex. Presbyterian College strongly encourages the prompt reporting of, and is committed to a timely and fair resolution of, complaints of sex discrimination and harassment by students, faculty, staff, and third-party contractors. Sexual harassment includes quid pro quo harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Incidents of sex discrimination should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator, as outlined in the Sexual Misconduct Policy. The policy can be found on the Title IX page at Title IX | Presbyterian College | Clinton, SC .