Introduction to Business Analytics - BUS 324

Purpose: to help other instructors teaching the same course

Common Course ID:  INTRO TO BUS ANALYTICS - BUS 324
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait

Abstract: These open materials, crafted by Dr. Zahra Gharibi for undergraduate business courses at CSU San Marcos, encompass a rich array of educational tools designed to facilitate an immersive learning experience. Included are detailed lecture slides, Excel lab templates, in-class examples, engaging activities, quizzes, assignments, case studies, and comprehensive solutions to all assigned work and activities. The initiative to develop and adopt these custom materials stems from a deep-seated commitment to making education more affordable and reducing the financial burden on students. By integrating these resources, students gain access to essential learning tools that significantly contribute to their academic success without incurring high textbook costs. This approach aligns perfectly with the course's objective to provide an accessible, hands-on educational experience. Students primarily access these open materials through Canvas, ensuring easy availability and seamless integration into their learning environment.

Course Title and Number:  Intro to Business Analytics  - BUS 324
Brief Description of course highlights:  Introduces business analytics concepts and tools that are used in various business functions. Consists of two distinct parts: predictive and prescriptive modeling/analytics. The predictive analytics section covers the use of statistical data in order to understand and solve business problems, Topics include a review of descriptive statistics tools, hypothesis testing, ANOVA and simple/multiple regression analysis. Statistical data-mining models are also discussed. Prescriptive analytics section covers deterministic optimization models. Statistical software and spreadsheet optimization are introduced.

Student population: I primarily teach students from Management Information Systems (MIS), Finance, Supply Chain Management, and Business Analytics disciplines.

Learning or student outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, each student will be able to:

• Identify the three categories of Business Analytics: Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, and Prescriptive Analytics.
• Apply the main statistical techniques used in predictive analytics.
• Implement basic analytics techniques using Excel
• Use data mining techniques on large data sets to answer business questions.
• Analyze output from statistical and data mining procedures.
• Write conclusions and recommendations based on statistical and data mining outputs.

Key challenges faced and how resolved:  The textbook for this course, being on the higher end of the price spectrum, was not very convenient for students to purchase. To enhance the course materials, I included numerous examples in the slides, in-class activities, and lab sessions. These additions provide step-by-step instructions along with many real-world datasets, ensuring students do not feel compelled to buy the textbook.

Textbook or OER/Low cost Title:  Open materials crafted by Dr. Zahra Gharibi. 

Brief Description: The bespoke materials for BUS 324 and BUS 322 include a comprehensive suite of lecture slides, lab templates for Excel sessions, in-class activities, assignments, pop quizzes, case studies, and handouts on select topics. The lecture slides provide detailed explanations of the subject matter, supplemented with examples demonstrated by the instructor and additional examples for student engagement during lecture time. The Excel lab templates feature step-by-step instructions and examples to support students in mastering practical skills in real-time. In-class activities and case studies encourage students to apply concepts in collaborative settings, fostering critical thinking and practical application, with solutions provided by the instructor for comprehensive understanding. Assignments and pop quizzes further augment the learning experience, with solutions made available for student review, ensuring continuous assessment and reinforcement of the material. These materials embody a pedagogical approach that emphasizes applied learning, problem-solving, and student participation, designed to engage students actively and enhance their understanding of the subject matter.

Please provide a link to the resource:  For access to these resources, interested parties can contact Dr.Zahra Gharibi directly via email : zgharibi@csusm.edu

Student access:  The course materials I create are available on the Canvas course webpage. 

Supplemental resources: Slides, in-class activities, in-class examples, Excel labs, quizzes for extra credit, lecture assignments, lab assignments, case studies, and solutions to all quizzes, assignments, labs, and case studies are provided

Provide the cost savings from that of a traditional textbook:  $289

License: Materials were written by Dr. Zahra Gharibi and provided for free to students. 

OER/Low Cost Adoption Process

Provide an explanation or what motivated you to use this textbook or OER/Low Cost option. The primary motivation was to alleviate the financial burden on students while ensuring that the course content is accessible and inclusive of all learning styles. Recognizing the diverse preferences and needs of learners, I aimed to customize the materials in a way that caters to various types of learners—visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. This approach not only makes education more affordable but also enhances the learning experience by providing tailored resources that engage and support every student's unique way of understanding and retaining information.

How did you find and select the open textbook for this course? FThere is no open textbook. The course materials were written by Dr. Zahra Gharibi and provided for free to students.

Sharing Best Practices: For faculty starting with OER or low-cost options, it's beneficial to explore a variety of platforms and repositories to find materials that align with your course goals. Engaging with your institution's library for support and connecting with online communities dedicated to open education can provide valuable insights and resources for effectively integrating these materials into your curriculum

Describe any key challenges you experienced, how they were resolved  and lessons learned. I did not face any challenges.

Instructor Name:  Dr. Zahra Gharibi
I am an assistant professor in the Operations and Supply Chain Management department of the College of Business Administration at California State University, San Marcos.  I teach Business Analytics and Data Analytics.

Please provide a link to your university page.
https://www.csusm.edu/oscm/faculty.html

Please describe the courses you teach.
BUS 322 – Introduction to Data Analytics: Studies the use of statistical data in order to understand and solve business problems.
BUS 324 – Introduction to Business Analytics: Introduces business analytics concepts and tools that are used in various business functions. Consists of two distinct parts: predictive and prescriptive modeling/analytics.
BUS 495 – Senior Experience: Applies projects involving working in teams with local organizations on actual business problems. Includes the problem solving process, primary and secondary research, critical thinking, consultation, project management, and strategies for team effectiveness.

Describe your teaching philosophy and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching.  My teaching philosophy is built on five essential principles: 1) demonstrating respect for my students, 2) presenting course materials clearly and engagingly, 3) recognizing each student's strengths and weaknesses and rewarding their progress, 4) fostering meaningful discussions and encouraging active participation, and 5) regularly evaluating the effectiveness of my teaching methods.