Course Objectives
The ability to create tools to solve problems and analyze data is an essential skill for business professionals in the digital age. In this course students will learn to develop software to does just that. This is a two-part course. In part one of the course (approx. weeks 1-9) students will learn the basics of programming and develop the skills needed to create tools to solve business problems using a current programming language. In the second part of the course (approx. weeks 10-14) students will learn how to leverage libraries that analyze data and enable students to build upon the tools that they learned to develop in the first part of the course.
While programming languages and analytics tools come and go over time, currently this course will use the Python programming language and the Pandas data analysis library.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop the ability to create software-based tools to solve business problems.
- Learn how to leverage libraries to extend the capabilities of software-based tools.
Course information
- Course name: Special Topics – Intro to Programming and Data Analytics with Python
- Course number: 3580
- Credit hours: 3
- Pre-requisites: MIS 2101
- Skill or knowledge requirement (if any): No prior programming experience is required.
- Technology requirements (if any): Laptop that meets Fox laptop requirement. Students must bring their laptop to every class meeting. Chromebooks are not acceptable!
- Day and time: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00-10:50
- Location: 603 Alter Hall
Important information
Classroom Experience
This class will be activity based. Class will be a mixture of class discussions (approx. 50%) and class activities (approx. 50%). My expectation is that you have completed the assigned readings and are prepared to discuss the readings intelligently. Engaging in class discussion is a key to your success; you will gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the core concepts. Not completing the assigned readings will make it difficult for you to follow along with the class discussion; you will not get as much out of class and you will certainly find the exams more challenging. In-class activities provide the core of our activity-based learning model.
Classroom Policies
To maintain a positive atmosphere conducive to learning, it is important that students respect instructors and fellow classmates, and that behaviors do not disrupt class activities or interfere with the academic environment and free exchange of ideas. Students are expected to adhere to the following policies:
- Arriving/Leaving Class– Plan to arrive to class on time and to stay for the entire class period. Random arrivals and exits are distracting to both instructor and classmates. If you must arrive late, enter class quietly and take the first seat available to you. If you must leave early, sit as close to the door as possible so your exit is minimally disruptive.
- Cell Phones/Electronic Devices– All smart devices (smartphones, tablets etc.) must be on vibrate.
- Talking/Interrupting– This course is structured as predominantly discussion and activities, so small group interaction is expected. However, when another student is speaking to the class, or the instructor is lecturing, you are expected to refrain from interrupting or talking in private conversation with fellow classmates.
- Questions/Comments– Please raise your hand first as a courtesy to classmates and instructor. Remember, your questions and comments are welcome, and there’s no such thing as a dumb question. Chances are, if you have a question, someone else is also thinking the same thing. Asking questions results in you learning more, making the class interesting, and helping your classmates learn as well.
If a specific behavior has not been addressed here, but might negatively impact other students’ learning or class instruction, you are expected to exercise good judgement and refrain from such actions. In most cases, exhibiting disruptive behaviors will result in being asked to leave the classroom for the duration of that day’s session. If you have any difficulty adhering to these rules (I acknowledge there may be rare valid reasons), you may bring it to my attention after class, via email, or during office hours.
Disability
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability, including special accommodations for access to technology resources and electronic instructional materials required for the course, should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation by the end of the second week of classes or as soon as practical. If you have not done so already, please contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) at 215-204-1280 in 100 Ritter Annex to learn more about the resources available to you. I will work with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities.
Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. Please review the university policy on Student and Faculty and Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02).
Technology Usage
The use of technology is an important aspect of this course. Please review the Temple University Technology Usage Policy.