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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Business Analytics 1
Module Code BAA1012 (ITS: MT120)
Faculty DCU Business School School DCU Business School
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

The module aims to develop the relevant skills and knowledge to effectively use basic IT tools to manage and manipulate data and provide a basic IT data management ‘literacy’ that is now an essential feature of work in modern organisations. In Semester 1, Online tools and In Class Workshops are used to provide students with extensive training in MS EXCEL. Students are then introduced to Data Collection, and Management, Descriptive Analytics and Data Visualisation. Finally students are given an Overview of the Analytics Function in modern Data Driven organisations and a brief introduction to Artificial Intelligence and its role in Business.

Learning Outcomes

1. Will be able to describe the fundamental concepts of Data Literacy and Analytics, the key steps in the analytics process, and the applications and implications of data analytics.
2. Be proficient in the use of MS EXCEL spreadsheet software.
3. Apply the basic principles of effectively communicating data visually using MS EXCEL
4. Use the appropriate descriptive analytics techniques to effectively summarise a wide variety of data types.
5. Will have the ability to Define Artificial Intelligence and describe its applications in a number of Business Functions.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture15Lectures
Online activity50Online Training in MS EXCEL and Fundamentals of Data Analytics
Assignment Completion20Ms EXCEL Assignment
Assignment Completion25Weekly Exercises
Workshop15Workshops in MS Excel
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN10092Part of TermSemester 1 & 2
Coursework100%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsN
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorGerard ConynghamModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
In Class TestMS EXCEL Proficiency Exam40%As required
ParticipationCompletion of Online Courses from Kubicle and DCU Futures DLATs.15%Every Week
Digital ProjectOngoing Digital exercises: Loop quizzes, Technical exercises, online tests,.....15%Every Second Week
Digital ProjectDescriptive Statistics assignment using MS EXCEL30%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Data Analytics
- What is Data Analytics - Evolution - Role in the Organisation

Sources of Data / Cleaning Data
Primary Data and Secondary Data Sources, Data Types: Structured / Unstructured, Cleaning Data and Measurement Error

MS EXCEL - Data Manipulation and Formatting
Adding, Editing and Deleting Cells, Essential Shortcuts in MS EXCEL, Inserting Rows and Columns, Adjusting Rows and Columns, Formatting Cells, Grouping and Hiding Cells, Sorting and Filtering Cells

MS EXCEL - Formula and Functions
Basic Arithmetic Functions, Conditional Arithmetic, Max, Min and Average Functions, Logical Operators, Naming and Anchoring Cells, Array Formulas, Conditional Arithmetic, Generating Random Numbers, Formula Auditing, Fill Commands, Information Functions, Rounding Numbers,

MS EXCEL - Text, Time and Dates
Combine Strings of Text, Search for Strings in Datasets, Covert Dates from Text into Values, Analyse Data by Day of Week, Combine Dates and Times, Add annd Subtract Times, Analyse Data within Time Intervals

MS EXCEL - Lookup and Database Functions
Finding records with Vlookup, Naming Arrays, Lookups with INDEX and MATCH, Nested IF, Dropdown List, Ranking Data Records, Lookup Multiple Criteria, Database functions, Updating Formula with New Data,

MS EXCEL - Pivot Tables
Building Pivot Tables, Formatting Pivot Tables, Pivot Table Subtotals, Sorting Pivot Table, Data, Applying Filters, Pivot Table Slicers, Build Charts from Pivot Tables, Using Pivot Table Data in Formulae.

Business Statistics 1: Descriptive Statistics
Describing Data - Frequency Tables - Descriptive Statistics - Crosstabs - Data Visualisation (Patterns in Data)

MS EXCEL - Basic Statistics using MS EXCEL
Mean, Median and Mode, Creating Databins, Variance and Standard Deviation, Finding Trends in Data, Correlation,

Introduction To Data Visualisation
- What is Data Visualisation and Why is it important? - Introductions to Data Visualisation in MS EXCEL, Communicating using Visualisations - Choosing correct Visualisations

MS EXCEL - Creating Charts in MS EXCEL
Formatting Charts, Adding Labels and Chart Titles, Legends and Data Tables, Actual vs Target Charts, Export Charts to MS WORD or POWERPOINT

Artificial Intelligence
Definition of AI, AI Classification, Role of AI in Analytics

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • James R Evans: 2020, Business Analytics, Global Edition, 3rd, Pearson Higher Ed, 705, 978-1292339047


Articles:
None
Other Resources

  • 1: Online Training, Kubicle Online Training, MS Excel: Data Manipulation and Formatting,
  • 421180: 1, Online Training, Kubicle, MS Excel: Formulae and Functions,
  • www.kubicle.com: 421181, 1, Online Training, Kubicle, MS Excel: Lookup and Database Functions
  • www.kubicle.com: 421182, 1, Online Training, Kubicle, MS Excel: Pivot Tables
  • www.kubicle.com: 421183, 1, Online Training, Kubicle, MS Excel: Charts in Depth
  • www.kubicle.com: 421184, 1, Online Training, DCU Futures, Introduction to Data Literacy and Analytics
  • 421185: 1, Online Training, DCU Futures, Introduction to Spreadsheet,
  • 421186: 1, Online Training, DCU Futures, Intermediate Spreadsheet,
  • 421187: 1, Online Training, DCU Futures, Data Visualisation and Communication,
  • 421164: 2, Ebook, Michael Alexander, Richard Kusleika, 2019, Excel 2016 Formulas,
  • 421165: 2, Website, Microsoft Online Support,
  • https://support.office.com/: 421167, 2, EBook, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, 2015, Storytelling with Data : A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals,
  • John Wiley & Sons: 421168, 2, Book, Tufte, Edward R., 2001
  • Graphics Press USA: 421172, 2, Ebook, Jaggia S, Kelly A., Lertwachara K. and Chen L., 2020
  • McGraw Hill:

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