Syllabus

2025-2 Fall

Subject to revision (last updated: August 13, 2025)

Contact information

Class meetings

  • Section 2: 1 - 2:40 PM
    • Tuesdays: classroom
    • Thursdays: classroom/online

Course description

This is an applied course that builds upon knowledge acquired from lower-division statistics coursework. It exposes students to the research and data analysis practices executed in the business world. A focus of this course is on generating reproducible analyses using the R programming language.

Prerequisites

  • Pre-business requirements
  • Proficiency in spreadsheet software

Learning objectives

  • Determine question want to answer with data analysis
  • Extract, transform and load relevant data (ETL process)
  • Apply appropriate data analytic methods
  • Interpret and present the results

Course materials

Grading

There are 1000 possible points in the course. Your grade will be determined by your total points:

Grade Points
A 950
A- 900
B+ 870
B 830
B- 800
C+ 770
C 730
C- 700
D+ 670
D 600
Activity Total Points
Quizzes 440
Assignments 360
Final Project 200

Quizzes - 440 points

  • Each quiz is worth 40 points.
  • You will be required to complete the quiz in-class.
    • If will miss class due to illness or an emergency, you must contact me before the start of class to be eligible to make up the quiz during the next class period.
    • If you are not present when attendance is taken on a Tuesdays and have not contacted me prior about an absence, you will not be able to access or complete that day’s quiz.
  • The quiz will be based on the lecture that day.
  • You will have the last 30 minutes of the class to complete each quiz.
  • Your two lowest scores will be dropped (max points = 11 x 40 = 440).
  • Questions will be numerical and multiple-choice.
  • For each quiz you will have one attempt.

Assignments (links to your blog) - 360 points

  • Each link to your blog (assignment) is worth 40 points.
  • For most topics you will provide the link to your blog page containing your work.
  • Each submission (assignment) is worth 40 points.
  • Your two lowest scores will be dropped (max points = 9 x 40 = 360)

Project 200 Points

In general, late submissions will not be accepted. If you need an extension because of illness, mental health challenges or family concerns, please let me know as soon as possible and provide documentation if possible. The most important thing that you can do is communicate with me so I can work with you to determine what options there are for you to succeed.

University Policies

There are important University policies that you should be aware of, such as the add/drop policy; cheating and plagiarism policy, grade appeal procedures; accommodations for students with disabilities and the diversity vision statement.

Dropping and Adding

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic renewal, etc. How to Register has step-by-step instructions and important deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping classes.

Campus Policy on Disability Access for Students

If you are a student with a disability, and think you may need academic accommodations, please contact Disability Services for Students (DSS), located in Salazar Hall, Room 1049, Voice: (707) 664-2677, TTY/TDD: (707) 664-2958, as early as possible in order to avoid a delay in receiving accommodation services. Use of DSS services, including testing accommodations, requires prior authorization by DSS in compliance with university policies and procedures. See SSU’s policy on Disability Access for Students.

Academic Integrity

Students should be familiar with the University’s Cheating and Plagiarism Policy. Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at Sonoma State University and the University’s policy, require you to be honest in all your academic coursework. Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism (presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise specified.

Use of AI

Using ChatGPT as Your R Learning Assistant

Learning R with the tidyverse is like learning any new language—it takes practice and patience. ChatGPT can be a valuable companion to help explain concepts and diagnose errors.

How to Use ChatGPT Effectively:

  • Try problems on your own first. The initial struggle is where real learning happens.
  • When you encounter unfamiliar code, ask ChatGPT to explain it step by step to build your understanding.
  • Use ChatGPT to check code logic, learn tidyverse best practices, and interpret data analysis results.
  • Always cite ChatGPT assistance in assignments (e.g., “Code debugging assisted by ChatGPT”).

Restrictions:

  • ChatGPT may not be used during quizzes. These assessments measure your independent understanding.

Recording

Students may not record (audio or video) in this class except in accordance with ADA accommodations. Any recordings made in connection with a disability accommodation are for the student’s personal academic use only and may not be distributed in any manner to any other individual.

University services

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

CAPS is a unit of the division of Student Affairs of Sonoma State University. CAPS offers confidential counseling to students experiencing personal problems that interfere with their academic progress, career or well-being. The CAPS website provides information only. If you would like to talk with someone or make an appointment, please call (707) 664-2153 between 8 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday during the academic year.

Religious Observances

The observance of religious holidays (activities observed by a religious group of which a student is a member) and cultural practices are an important reflection of diversity. As your instructor, I am committed to providing equivalent educational opportunities to students of all belief systems. At the beginning of the semester, you should review the course requirements to identify foreseeable conflicts with assignments, exams, or other required attendance. If at all possible, please contact me (your course coordinator/s) within the first two weeks of the first class meeting to allow time for us to discuss and make fair and reasonable adjustments to the schedule and/or tasks.