SUBJECT OUTLINE
26777 Data Processing Using SAS
Course area Delivery
Subject classification
Credit points Result type
UTS: Business Autumn 2020; City
Postgraduate
3cp
Grade and marks
Subject coordinator
Dr Antonio Borriello
Location: CB08.10.07503 Telephone: +61 2 9514 3262 E-mail: antonio.borriello@uts.edu.au
Teaching staff
Dr Antonio Borriello
Subject description
In the fourth the industrial revolution, data has become one of our most precious goods. It’s available and cheap and holds promise for enterprises that want to gain a competitive edge. However, raw data are also commonly incomplete, unstructured and inconsistent. The subject Data Processing with SAS looks at how this widely used tool can transform a raw dataset into valuable information for exploring business performance and for decision making. SAS is the market leader software for analytics, being used by more than 83,000 business, government and university sites around the world, including 92 of the top 100 companies on the 2018 Fortune Global 1000®. This subject provides the fundamentals required for the SAS certification Base Programming Specialist. Students will learn about data validation and manipulation. Data validation is the process of converting raw data into quality data by addressing issues such as missing values. Data manipulation, using methods such as coding, makes data easier to read and analyse. Finally, students will learn how to apply the appropriate statistical tools to extract valuable information from real datasets.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to: 1. Access and import different types of data within the SAS environment
2. Explore, validate and manipulate data for analyses
3. Run simple analyses, export the results and create reports
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The subject introduces students to data processing, which is a fundamental step of Data Science. This subject gives students opportunities to develop their knowledge and proficiency in operating in the SAS environment. The learning activities enable students to develop and apply data analysis skills to real-world scenarios. Their business practice skills are further developed through learning activities related to the creation of reports. This subject is therefore aligned with the following Graduate Attributes:
Business knowledge and Concepts
Critical thinking, Creativity and Analytical skills Business Practice Oriented skills
Teaching and learning strategies
The teaching and learning approach comprises a combination of face-to-face and online learning activities. Students
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The teaching and learning approach comprises a combination of face-to-face and online learning activities. Students
will be required to complete pre-work activities before coming to class. Three face-to-face workshops take place in a computer lab, for a hands-on experience where students will have opportunities to learn and practice using the SAS software.
Pre-class activities: Students are expected to read online content (readings and video tutorials), provided via the learning management system, prior to attending classes. They are also required to complete practice quizzes prior to each class in the learning management system, which will help identify possible gaps on the weekly topics and inform the class discussion. A mandatory, on-line formative assessment completed after the first lecture, will provide students with further feedback in week 4 to help direct their self-study.
Workshops: Face-to-face computer lab workshops are designed to present the theory and practice associated with using SAS. Students will use the software to manipulate and analyse data.
Feedback: Individual feedback will be provided after the formative on-line assessment after Lecture 1. General feedback based on performance in the pre-class practice quizzes will be given at the beginning of Lectures 2 and 3. Finally, students will receive formal feedback on assessment task 1 prior to the submission of assessment task 2.
Content (topics)
Understanding of SAS environment
Accessing and importing different types of data Data exploration and validation
Data preparation
Data analysis
Exporting results and reporting data
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Computer-based Data Analysis (Individual)
Objective(s):
Weight: Task:
Criteria:
This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2
60%
Students are required to address the question set to validate and manipulate the dataset appropriately using SAS Studio software.
Students will be assessed on their ability to explore different types of data sets by validating and preparing relevant data for the analysis through steps of:
Data filtering
Data formatting
Data sorting Conditional processing
Each question will require specific “data steps” to reproduce the expected outcome. Students will need to filter definite rows using conditional processing (i.e., if…, then…), to sort data appropriately as well as to format different data types such as dates. The outcome generated depends on the correctness of all the above-mentioned steps.
Assessment task 2: Computer-based Data Analysis and Reporting (Individual) Weight: 40%
Task: Students are required to manipulate the dataset using SAS Studio software and to produce a report that contains appropriate graphs and statistics in order to provide useful insights for business analysis.
Criteria: Students will have to create a report that includes one-way/two-way frequency tables and summary 28/02/2020 (Autumn 2020) © University of Technology Sydney Page 2 of 5
Criteria: Students will have to create a report that includes one-way/two-way frequency tables and summary statistics. The contents of the report should address a business question specific to the dataset used. Appropriate coding for tables and statistics will produce a reliable outcome.
The report should be successfully exported to different formats such as Excel and PDF.
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
Required texts
There is no required textbook. However, it is recommended students become familiar with SAS learning material available online at https://www.sas.com/en_au/learn/academic-programs/resources/free-sas-e-learning.html.
References
1. Prudhomme G. (2018). Business Data Processing. Arcler Press. ISBN-10: 1773614479
2. Hastie, T., Tibshirani, R., & Friedman, J. (2009). The Elements of Statistical Learning. Springer. ISBN:
9780387848570
3. SAS e-learning: https://www.sas.com/en_au/learn/academic-programs/resources/free-sas-e-learning.html
Academic liaison officer
Dr Robert Czernkowski, Accounting Discipline Group, telephone 9514 3736
Mr Harry Tse, Economics Discipline Group, telephone 9514 7786 or 9514 5456
Dr Otto Konstantados, Finance Discipline Group, telephone 9514 7758
Dr Paul Wang, Marketing Discipline Group, telephone 9514 3692
Associate Professor Carmel Foley, Management Discipline Group, telephone 9514 5102
Any arrangements should be negotiated within the first six weeks of session.
Support
Student Services Unit/Counselling: Student Services provides a range of free and confidential professional services to support different aspects of your life and learning at UTS. These services include counselling for personal and learning problems or issues. If you are experiencing difficulties with your overall study program, for whatever reason, telephone +61 2 9514 1177 (City campus).
Students with disabilities or ongoing medical conditions: If you are a student who has a disability or ongoing medical condition that requires support services you are encouraged to contact the accessibility consultants or
Accesssibility Service (telephone +61 2 9514 1177) for a confidential interview. Supporting documentation regarding your disability or ongoing medical condition is required if you wish to apply for assessment adjustments, including alternative assessment conditions. Each faculty has appointed academic liaison officers (ALOs) who are responsible for approving assessment adjustments. Meeting with the accessibility consultants or Accessibility Service before seeking assessment adjustments from your ALO is required.
Improve your academic and English language skills: Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language and Presentation Support) service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language and Presentation Support): HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS. HELPS is located in Student Services, Building 1 Level 5 Room 25 (CB01.05.25).
Study skills / learning support: If you are experiencing difficulty with your studies or need to develop the necessary study skills you require for your course, there is a host of useful information and websites to help you on the UTS Business School, Study and Assessment Resource website. Links on how to write better, study more effectively, available support services/staff to help, how to complete assignments; as well as tips for successful study and online study skills resources can all be accessed. In addition, HELPS provides self-help resources.
Special consideration: Special consideration consists of the exercise of academic discretion to provide equitable
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treatment to students whose performance in an assessment item is affected by illness, misadventure or work-related circumstances. You should only apply for special consideration when your performance in an assessment item, including examinations, has been affected by extenuating or special circumstances beyond your control. These circumstances include:
Serious illness or psychological condition: such as hospital admission, serious injury or illness, severe anxiety or depression
Loss or bereavement: such as death of a close family member, family relationship breakdown
Hardship or trauma: such as being a victim of a crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements
Exceptional employment demands: such as active service (e.g. ADF Reserves, bushfire and SES services). Special consideration is not automatically guaranteed and may not result in a mark adjustment
Careers Service: The UTS Careers Service aims to actively support the career development needs of all UTS students.
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All staff and students involved in the assessment of coursework subjects at UTS are subject to the Policy for the Assessment of Coursework Subjects. The policy is applicable to the assessment of all coursework subjects. This policy does not apply to thesis subjects that are taken by students enrolled in research degrees, but does apply to any coursework subjects undertaken by research degree students. It does not describe policy that relates to academic progression through a course of study.
The policy should be read in conjunction with the Procedures for the Assessment of Coursework Subjects.
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Australian copyright law allows you as a student or researcher to copy and use limited amounts of other people’s material in your study or research without their permission and free of charge.
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Incorrect or improper use of copyright protected material could result in breaking Australian copyright law, for which significant penalties apply. Incorrect or improper use of copyright protected material at UTS would result in consideration under the UTS Student Misconduct rules.
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Statement on plagiarism
At UTS, plagiarism is defined in rule 16.2.1(4) as: ‘taking and using someone else’s ideas or manner of expressing them and passing them off as his or her own by failing to give appropriate acknowledgement of the source to seek to gain an advantage by unfair means’.
The definition infers that if a source is appropriately referenced, the student’s work will meet the required academic standard.
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Plagiarism is a literary or an intellectual theft and is unacceptable both academically and professionally. It can take a number of forms including but not limited to:
copying any section, no matter how brief, from a book, journal, article or other written source without duly acknowledging the source
copying any map, diagram or table of figures without duly acknowledging the source
paraphrasing or otherwise using the ideas of another author without duly acknowledging the source.
Students are encouraged to participate in the Avoiding Plagiarism Quiz.
Other breaches of academic integrity that constitute cheating include but are not limited to:
copying from another student, recycling another student’s work, recycling previously submitted work, and working with another student in the same cohort in a manner that exceeds the boundaries of legitimate cooperation purchasing an assignment from a website and submitting it as original work
a student requesting or paying someone else to write original work for them, such as an assignment, essay or computer program, and submitting it as their own work.
Students who condone plagiarism and other breaches of academic integrity by allowing their work to be copied are also subjected to severe disciplinary action.
Where proven, plagiarism and other breaches of academic integrity are penalised in accordance with UTS Student Rules Section 16 – Student misconduct and appeals.
Avoiding plagiarism is one of the main reasons why the UTS Business School is insistent on the thorough and appropriate referencing of all written work. Students may seek assistance regarding appropriate referencing through
UTS HELPS.
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Academic integrity involves a good measure of trust between students, and between students and academic staff and thesis examiners. Cheating, whether in the form of plagiarism, bringing unauthorised material into exams, submitting false requests for alternative exams or special consideration, or any other form, is a breach of this trust. Cheating also subverts the aims and value of students’ studies.
Refer to Good Academic Practice for further information. These principles apply to:
all written reports, assignments, projects, journals and related papers any examinations, and
any other assessable items required to complete a subject or course.
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