Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
None.
Course Materials
Required Textbook
A Quantitative Primer Investments with R - Dale Rosenthal
- Print book: ISBN 978-1-7322356-0-1, Q36
Software
- Required
- Click the invitation link sent to you by your instructor through your Canvas messages to access RStudio Cloud. It will be easier if you are able to access R through RStudio's Cloud tool.
- Optional
- R, which is downloadable here: The Comprehensive R Archive Network
- RStudio, which is downloadable here: RStudio Desktop 2022.02.0+443 (make sure you download R first!)
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| R Individual Exercises |
R coding exercises completed on an individual basis. Submissions will be made using RMarkdown output in PDF format. Topics addressed are connected to module content. |
60% |
| R Group Exercises |
R coding exercises completed on a group basis. Submissions will be made using RMarkdown output in PDF format. First project due midway through the course. Second project due at the end of the course. |
40% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Pre-Session Readings
Students are exposed to key concepts in the module through guided study. This helps them raise good questions in the Live Session and become more focused in their study.
Pre-Session Questions
While reading the assigned pre-session material, students should make a note of questions they would like to discuss during the Live Session. Students actively engage with the course materials and help drive discussion during the Live Session.
Students are asked to submit question(s) by noon, on the day of the Live Session. Questions can seek clarification, ask for elaboration, relate a current event or timely topic to the week's course material, provide their personal opinion on an issue raised in the course material, share their personal experience, etc.
Students will be able to see the posts of the other students in the class and are encouraged to post responses or indicate topics that piqued their interest for discussion.
Live Session & In-Class Activities
Live Sessions will cycle through the following components:
- From the instructor: elaboration, additional insight, summary/further reinforcement of the topic and/or illustration of a key topic
- Selected example problems, discussion, demonstration of how to work assignment material
- Q & A (based on students questions from the question board in Canvas)
- Student-led in-class discussions based on topics of interest
R Exercises
Students will be asked to connect selected course content topics of interest to coding exercises that address one or more of the following aspects: 1) data acquisition, 2) data preparation, 3) data analysis, 4) data visualization, and 5) data analysis report generation. Some of these exercises will be performed individually, and some will be performed in groups.
Course Policies
Communication
I prefer that you contact me through the Canvas email system, which you can access through the "Inbox" button. I understand sometimes it is not possible for you to contact me through Canvas, so you can send an email to jpb@ou.edu if needed. Use Canvas as much as you can, though.
Late Policy
Live Session participation is crucial to the learning process and all students are expected to participate synchronously.
For late submissions of R Exercises you can earn a maximum of 50% credit. Technical difficulties are not an excuse. If you wait until the last minute, you increase the probability of incurring the penalty. There may be negotiation potential if you contact me before the due dates. Treat this late policy similar to when you travel—if you miss the plane, you miss it.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|