BUAL 2650 Business Analytics II
SPRING 2023
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTOR: Rupee Gupta
CLASS TIME: T R 12:30 am – 1:45 pm (Lowder 19)
T R 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm (Lowder 19)
E-Mail
rzg0045@auburn.edu
Office Hours
10:00 – 12:00 (Tuesday’s and Thursday’s) or by
appointment (Office number 235)
Zoom link (For Office
hours)
https://auburn.zoom.us/my/rupeegupta
COURSE FORMAT
This course allows students to choose their preferred method of learning: remote via Zoom or
in-person meetings in the classroom. All lectures will be delivered synchronously in the
classroom at scheduled time both face-to-face in class and remotely via Zoom.
COMMUNICATION
Please use emails or zoom meetings (details provided above). I will gladly answer
questions via email as soon as possible before 5:00 p.m. Emails received after 5:00 p.m. or
on weekends may not be answered until the next weekday. I use email and Canvas
frequently to send class announcements. When sending an email to me, please put in
subject line BUAL-2650.
COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES:
Many organizations today face a significant data explosion problem. Firms are
drowning in data but are starved for knowledge. This course teaches practical
analytical skills in business including statistical inference, predictive modeling
and forecasting.
After completion of this course, you should be able to:
Understand the importance of data-driven business decisions.
• Apply statistical inferential procedures to aid business decisions.
• Build regression models for estimation and prediction in business.
• Understand the basics of forecasting/predictive modeling.
• Conduct business analysis with analysis tools (JMP & Excel)
• Interpret results and prepare deliverable reports to clients.
Course and Lecture Material
Textbook: Business Statistics and Analytics in Practice, Ninth Edition, Bowerman et al., 2019,
McGraw Hill. ISBN13: 9781260187496.
This course participates in the ALL ACCESS PROGRAM which includes access to the eBook
beginning on the first day of class.
Lecture slides will be provided through Canvas.
Course announcements will be published via Canvas. It is extremely important to check Canvas
and your email regularly to stay informed about the class
Course syllabus is posted on Canvas, and it is your responsibility to read and use the syllabus as
your reference for the class policies and the expectations for this course.
Excel and JMP will be demonstrated in the course. You may access JMP via the HCOB
virtual lab (https://aub.ie/hcobvlab) on your own machine.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:
• A calculator for basic calculations. You may use any non-programmable calculator for this
class.
• Be familiar with latest version of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
• Access to Canvas for this class.
• No cell phones, iPads, or electronic devices other than your laptop or computer if your
instructor has permitted these during exams. No exceptions.
Here are some useful and important links:
Canvas at https://auburn.instructure.com/login
Virtual lab https://aub.ie/hcobvlab
CLASS PROCEDURES:
• Turn off all wireless communications devices in class. Do not make or receive
calls during class. Further, making or receiving calls during an exam will be
viewed as an Academic Honesty violation. For more details, please see the section on Academic
Integrity.
• The instructor has the discretion to modify course content and assignment/test dates.
Assignments, Exams, and Grading
Assignments: A total of 10 assignments will be calculated for 20% of the total grade. A
total of 10 or 11 assignments will be given, and your lowest score will be dropped. All
assignment will be given on Monday and will be due on Sunday at 11:59 PM (CENTRAL
TIME). Assignment can be done in groups but submit separately. Assignments will not be
accepted after the due date.
Exams (80% of total grade): Total of 3 exams will be given in this course.
The 2 exams during the semester and a final exam will be given online (using Proctor
U) or in class. I will discuss this later.
Exam dates will be on
Exam I – 21st February (Tuesday)
Exam II – 4th April (Tuesday)
Final Exam (Cumulative)- 2nd May (for 12:30 pm class)
4th May (for 2:00 pm class)
Detailed instructions about the exam format and content will be provided to the students at
least a week before the exam. No cell phones, iPad, or electronic devices other than your
laptop are permitted during exams. No exceptions.
Grading:
A ≥ 90%
B ≥ 80% and <90%
C ≥ 70% and < 80%
D ≥ 60% and < 70%
F < 60%.
Course grade will be computed as follows:
Exam 1 = 25%
Exam 2 = 25%
Final exam = 30%
Assignments = 20%
If your exam 1 or exam 2 score is less than final exam score, your final exam score
will replace your lowest exam score. FINAL EXAM SCORE WILL NOT BE DROPPED.
Excused Absences
Attendance is not mandatory for this class.
An excuse is required for missed exams. Only university/medical excused absences will be
accepted prior to taking the makeup exam. An acceptable excuse must state that the
doctor recommends your absence on the day of the exam due to illness or other
university approved excuse, not an office visit excuse at the discretion of the
instructor. A doctor’s excuse that documents an office visit prior to or after the exam day is
not valid. It is your responsibility to notify me immediately (within 24 hours) after a
missed exam, and if at all possible, before the exam date. Multiple excused absences must
be approved with me at the beginning of the semester. Unexcused absences will result in a
grade of 0 on the exam missed.
Accommodations
Students who have established accommodations will need to notify the instructor within
the first week of classes and attend a scheduled zoom meeting with the instructor to go
over expectations for accommodations before the first quiz. If you have not established
accommodations through the Office of Accessibility but need accommodations, you can
make an appointment in 1228 Haley Center.
Academic Integrity
All official student codes of conduct and rules of academic integrity will be upheld. Copying
from the test or another person’s test, sharing information about an exam, using cell
phones or other electronics, or looking at someone’s test will result in a zero for everyone
involved. Dishonesty as outlined in the University’s Code of Student Conduct may
constitute academic misconduct and will be reported to the Committee on Academic
Misconduct. If the committee determines dishonesty has occurred, the sanctions could
include a failing grade in this course and suspension or dismissal from the University.
(https://sites.auburn.edu/admin/universitypolicies/Policies/AcademicHonestyCode.pdf)
All portions of the Auburn University student academic honesty code (Title XII) found in
the AU Office of Provost website will apply to university courses. All academic honesty
violations or alleged violations of the SGA Code of Laws will be reported to the Office of the
Provost, which will then refer the case to the Academic Honesty Committee.
HEALTH AND PARTICIPATION IN CLASS
Your health and safety, and the health and safety of your peers, are my top priorities. If you
are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or if you discover that you have been in close
contact with others who have symptoms or who have tested positive, you must follow the
instructions on the Healthcheck app. My hope is that if you are feeling ill or if
you have been exposed to someone with the virus, you will stay home to protect others.
Please do the following in the event of an illness or COVID-related absence:
• Notify me of your absence, if possible
• Provide me with medical documentation, if possible
• Keep up with coursework as much as possible
• Participate in class activities and submit assignments remotely as much as
possible
• Notify me if you require a modification to the deadline of an assignment or
exam
• Finally, if remaining in a class and fulfilling the necessary requirements
becomes impossible due to illness or other COVID-related issues, please let
me know as soon as possible so we can discuss your options.
Students with questions about COVID-related illnesses should reach out to the COVID
Resource Center at (334) 844-6000 or at covidresourcecenter@auburn.edu.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING RESOURCES
These are difficult times, and academic and personal stress is a natural result.
Everyone is encouraged to take care of themselves and their peers. If you need
additional support, there are several resources on campus to assist you:
COVID Resource Center (covidresourcecenter@auburn.edu)
• Student Counseling and Psychological Services (http://wp.auburn.edu/scs/)
• AU Medical Clinic (https://cws.auburn.edu/aumc/
• If you or someone you know are experiencing food, housing or financial insecurity,
please visit the Auburn Cares Office (http://aucares.auburn.edu/)
INSTRUCTOR HAS THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE SYLLABUS ANY TIME
DURING THIS SEMESTER
Please read each chapter prior to the date on which it is covered. This is a
tentative schedule, so that the chapter coverage dates and chapters covered
on each test are subject to change. The instructor will notify students in class
and via Canvas announcement for changes in schedule beforehand. The
instructor has the discretion to modify course content and assignment/test
dates.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Date
Topics
17-Jan
Welcome & Go over the Syllabus,
Overview of BUAL 2600
Chapter 7 - 7.1, 7.2
19-Jan
Chapter 7- 7.3
24-Jan
Chapter 8 - 8.1
26-Jan
31-Jan
Chapter 8 - 8.3
Chapter 9- 9.1
2-Feb
Chapter 9- 9.2, 9.3
7-Feb
Chapter 9- 9.4
9-Feb
Chapter 10- 10.1, 10.2
14-Feb
Chapter 10- 10.3, 10.4
16-Feb
21-Feb
Chapter 10 and review for exam
Exam 1 - (Chapters 7, 8, 9, & 10)
23-Feb
Chapter 11- 11.1, 11.2
28-Feb
Chapter 11 - 11.3
2-Mar
Chapter 14 - 14.1, 14.2
7-Mar
9-Mar
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
14-Mar
Chapter 14- 14.3, 14.4,
16-Mar
21-Mar
Chapter 14 - 14.7
Chapter 15 - 15.1, 15.2
23-Mar
Chapter 15- 15.3, 15.4, 15.5
28-Mar
30-Mar
4-Apr
6-Apr
11-Apr
Chapter 15- 15.7, 15.8, 15.10
Exam II - Review
Exam 2 (Chapters 11, 14, & 15)
Chapter 16 - 16.1
Chapter 17- 17.1, 17.2
13-Apr
Chapter 17- 17.4, 17.7
18-Apr
20-Apr
25-Apr
27-Apr
2-May
4-May
Chapter 5- 5.1
Chapter 5 - 5.2
Chapter 5- 5.3 & Exam review
12-Jan
Chapter
Problems
Assignment
due date
7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.11
7.18, 7.19, 7.20, 7.22,
7.27, 7.29
8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.5, 8.11,
8.12
8.18, 8.19, 8.20, 8.21
9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9
9.15, 9.16, 9.17, 9.18,
9.22, 9.23, 9.24, 9.25,
9.28,
9.36, 9.37, 9.38, 9.45,
9.48
10.1, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5,
10.6, 10.7, 10.8,
10.13, 10.14
10.23, 10.24, 10.29,
10.33, 10.36
23-Jan
11.4, 11.5, 11.6,
11.10, 11.11, 11.16,
11.17
11.25, 11.26, 11.29
14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.6,
14.9, 14.10, 14.11
30-Jan
13-Feb
20-Feb
6-Mar
27-Mar
14.15, 14.16, 14.21,
14.24
15.3, 15.7
15.8, 15.9, 15.10,
15.15, 15.18, 15.22
15.44, 15.45
17.1, 17.2, 17.6
17.20, 17.21, 17.22,
17.34, 17.36, 17.37
5.1, 5.2, 5.3
5.6, 5.7
3-Apr
17-Apr
24-Apr
30-Apr
TBA
Final exam (Cumulative) TR 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m (for 12:30 pm class)
Final Exam (Cumulative) 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm (for TR 2:00 pm class)