Mastering Data Analytics with Excel: VTU Syllabus and Practical Course Guide

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Mastering Data Analytics with Excel: VTU Syllabus and Practical Course Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Data Analytics with Excel, specifically tailored for students of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). In this blog post, we will explore the syllabus, course objectives, and practical course templates for BCS358A. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced Excel user, this guide will equip you with the necessary skills to excel in data analysis using Excel.

Why Data Analytics with Excel?

Data analytics has become a critical skill in today's data-driven world. Excel, with its powerful data analysis features, is a widely used tool for analyzing and visualizing data. By mastering data analytics with Excel, you will gain a competitive edge in the job market and be able to make data-driven decisions with confidence.

Course Overview

Syllabus - Data Analytics with Excel: BCS358A

The syllabus for BCS358A covers a wide range of topics that will enable you to apply analysis techniques to datasets in Excel and build presentation-ready dashboards. The course is divided into several modules, each focusing on a specific aspect of data analytics with Excel. Let's take a closer look at some of the key modules:

Module 1: Getting Started with Excel

In this module, you will learn the basics of Excel, including creating spreadsheets, inserting rows and columns, and using aggregate functions. These fundamental skills will form the foundation for your data analysis journey.

Module 2: Working with Data

Importing data, data entry and manipulation, sorting and filtering are essential skills for any data analyst. This module will teach you how to effectively work with data in Excel, ensuring data accuracy and integrity.

Module 3: Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts

Pivot tables and pivot charts are powerful tools for data analysis and visualization. In this module, you will learn how to use pivot tables and pivot charts to streamline your workflow in Excel and gain valuable insights from your data.

Module 4: Data Analysis Process

Conditional formatting, what-if analysis, data tables, charts, and graphs are integral parts of the data analysis process. This module will equip you with the techniques to effectively analyze and present your data using these tools.

Module 5: Cleaning Data with Text Functions

Data cleaning is a crucial step in the data analysis process. This module will teach you how to use text functions like UPPER, LOWER, TRIM, and CONCATENATE to clean and manipulate text data in Excel.

Module 6: Cleaning Data Containing Date and Time Values

Date and time data are commonly encountered in datasets. This module will cover the use of DATEVALUE, DATEADD, and other functions to clean and analyze date and time values in Excel.

Module 7: Conditional Formatting

Formatting, parsing, and highlighting data are essential for effective data analysis. This module will teach you how to apply conditional formatting to format and analyze data in spreadsheets.

Module 8: Working with Multiple Sheets

Working with multiple sheets within a workbook is crucial for organizing and managing data. This module will teach you how to work with multiple sheets, perform complex calculations, and create comprehensive reports.

Module 9: Creating Worksheets and Analyzing Data

In this module, you will learn how to create worksheets with specific fields and use appropriate formulas to calculate and analyze data. You will also learn how to create charts to visualize and report your findings.

Module 10: Inventory Management

This module focuses on creating a worksheet for inventory management. You will learn how to track product details, calculate costs after discounts, and analyze inventory data using appropriate charts.

Module 11: Sales Analysis of Merchandise Store

Using a real-world scenario, this module will teach you how to analyze sales data of a merchandise store. You will learn how to use formulas, pivot tables, and various charts to perform a comparative study and gain valuable insights.

Module 12: Report Generation and Presentation

In the final module, you will learn how to generate reports and create presentations using Excel's autofilter and macro features. You will gain the skills to present your analysis effectively and communicate your findings to stakeholders.

Course Outcomes

By the end of the course, you will develop a comprehensive skill set in data analytics with Excel. Here are some of the key outcomes you can expect:

Use advanced functions and productivity tools to develop worksheets
Manipulate data lists using outline and pivot tables
Summarize and report results from multiple worksheets using consolidation
Apply macros and autofilter to solve real-world scenarios

Practical Examination and Evaluation

The practical examination for BCS358A is an integral part of the course. Here are some important points to note:

All laboratory experiments are included in the practical examination
Evaluation rubrics are decided jointly by the examiners based on course requirements
Students can choose one question (experiment) from a set prepared by the examiners
Evaluation includes the test write-up, conduction procedure, result/viva
General rubrics for evaluation are provided, with write-up accounting for 20% of marks, conduction procedure and result for 60%, and viva-voce for 20%
Change of experiment is allowed only once, with 15% of marks allotted to the procedure part made zero
The minimum duration of the practical examination is 2 hours

Learning Resources

To enhance your learning experience and further develop your skills in data analytics with Excel, we recommend the following resources:

Berk & Carey - Data Analysis with Microsoft® Excel: Updated for Office 2007®, Third Edition
Wayne L. Winston - Microsoft Excel 2019: Data Analysis And Business Modeling
Aryan Gupta - Data Analysis in Excel: The Best Guide

Conclusion

Data analytics with Excel is an essential skill for any aspiring data analyst. By mastering the concepts and techniques covered in the BCS358A course at VTU, you will be well-equipped to analyze and visualize data using Excel. Remember to practice regularly and explore additional resources to further enhance your skills. Happy data analyzing!