Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Instructor biography
I received my Master of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma in the spring of 1997 with studies concentrated in Information Technology and Accounting. I earned my Oklahoma Certified Public Accountant license in 1999 and have maintained my license throughout my career. In addition, I completed the Graduate Certificate in Digital Technologies program in the fall of 2021 at The University of Oklahoma. My background includes extensive industry experience in business analysis, software development, implementation, administration, financial analysis, data analysis, and business intelligence. Before I began teaching full-time, I worked in Oklahoma City as the Manager of Business Intelligence and Analysis for an organization in the private sector. My hobbies include training for triathlons, tinkering around on my old Jeep, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
MIT 5602 Management Information Systems ;MIT 5612 Database Design and Administration
Course Materials
- Registration for Databricks architecture platform (free)
- Databricks access for university students Databricks University Alliance (free)
- Databricks access for university students Databricks University Alliance (free)
Assumed Prior Knowledge
You should be familiar with fundamental database concepts including using SQL for data analysis and retrieval, JOINs, filtering data with WHERE, aggregations with GROUP BY, and the use of sub-queries. See these videos for an overview of these concepts:
- Video 1: Creating Objects and Inserting Data
- Video 2: Getting, Transforming, Combining, and Delivering Data
Grades
There are 100 points possible in this course, and the points are earned through the following activities:
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Live Session Participation or Video Participation Exercise |
|
14 Points |
| Discussion Posts |
|
14 points |
| Lab Assignments |
|
28 points |
| Quizzes |
|
28 points |
| Group Project |
|
16 points |
| Total | 100 points |
Scale
Letter grades are based on the following point totals:
| Points | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100 | A |
| 80–89 | B |
| 70–79 | C |
| 60–69 | D |
| Below 60 | F |
Course Components
Live Session Participation
Each week, we'll hold synchronous Live Sessions in which we'll cover course materials, common quiz challenges, and complete in-class activities. Plan to participate in the weekly Live Sessions or complete a make-up activity to receive participation credit.
Discussion Posts
Our discussions cover our weekly reading material. Your posts (250 words or more) are due by Sunday at 11:59 PM of the Module week. At least 2 additional replies to your peers or instructor (100 words or more) are due by the following Live Session. You should also include at least three "Likes" on classmates' posts or replies. You must post your initial response before you will see your classmates' responses.
Lab Assignments
This lab activity is to get familiar with modern data technology necessary to perform data warehousing. Lab assignments are due by the day before the Live Session at 11:59 PM.
Quizzes
Quizzes assess the lecture materials (including supplementary material) and assigned reading. Quizzes are open book, open notes, etc., and are due by the day before the Live Session at 11:59 PM.
Group Project
Collaborate to put together and present an end-to-end dimensional modeling and data visualization project using an approved data source of your choosing. Groups will present their projects during the final Live Session.
Course Policies
In-session Computer, Phone, or Other Communication Devices Usage Policy
In-session computer use must be related to the material being covered in class. The use of a computer or cell phone for general Internet browsing, text messaging, or any social networking during class is extremely distracting to both the instructor and the other students and as such is not acceptable. Please be sensitive and respectful to your classmates and instructor. If you must use any of the above communication means during the session, step out of the online session or wait until the next break to do so. Students who think their learning opportunity is being negatively impacted by another’s non-academic laptop or device usage are encouraged to approach the instructor. The instructor will follow up discretely on a case-by-case basis.
Communication
When you send an e-mail to me, please be sure to include the course number or some course identifier in the Subject line. Additionally, please identify yourself in the text of your e-mail, otherwise, I may not figure out who you are just by your email address alone. Please note that if your question is relevant to the class, I will forward your email with my response to the class – so be sure to proofread your email and use good email etiquette because it may be seen by your classmates. It is the student's responsibility to receive/check incoming mail in a timely fashion (e.g., not regularly checking your email, having a “full mailbox” condition, etc.).
Attendance and Participation
Every class is important so please do not send an email asking “whether we will cover anything important tonight." Each session may have class participation activities. If you miss participating in the project or any other presentation assigned to your team, you will receive a zero for that assignment. An absence from an assignment, exam, participation, or coursework shall be considered “excused” if it occurs because of any of the following situations and the instructor was contacted prior to the due date:
- Illness or hospitalization of the student or an immediate family member due to illness or accident.
- Death in the student’s immediate family (for example, spouse, parents, guardians, siblings, children).
- Summons of the student to appear for Jury Duty or before a court.
- Any other explanation that has been approved by the course coordinator or instructor.
To be successful in this course, you must stay active and involved throughout the entire module. Students are expected to participate in all interactive aspects of the course. You should also regularly communicate with the instructor as part of your overall learning experience, check into the course frequently for announcements (usually on the course home page), and actively participate in discussion events (both formal and informal).
As noted above, each live session will include a participation activity, to be submitted on Canvas, that will demonstrate that students are attending the live sessions, are paying attention, and are participating in the tasks that are asked of them. If a student misses a live session, the participation activity will be based on watching a video of the live session and answering questions associated with the video.
Online Behavior
All students in the course should be considerate of the other course students and treat them (and their opinions) with respect. The class will operate under the assumption that any and all feedback offered is positive in nature and that the intentions of the person(s) providing feedback are strictly honorable. Insensitivity in this area will not be tolerated.
You must be presentable and must be sitting at your desk with your camera turned on during each session. Your microphone can be muted during the session when you are not speaking.
Late Policy
Each deliverable has a clearly defined due date. You are expected to deliver assignments on time. Contact the professor if you intend to submit a late Lab or Quiz. Late Labs and Quizzes will receive a 1 point penalty per day late. Discussion post initial responses will receive a 1 point penalty if they are submitted after the initial post deadline.
Syllabus Changes
The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes during an online session and by individual email communication.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
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, the 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 in 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 can enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability or 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
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Institutional Equity Office (M-F, from 8-5, at 405-325-3546) or OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013).
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 your instructor 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 the innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional information about severe weather preparedness is available through the Department of Campus Safety's Emergency Management Division.
OU-Norman Campus: Tornado Refuge Protocol
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 who may need help.
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area.
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone who 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 |
|---|---|---|