BUA 455
  • This website provides semester-long access to BUA 455 lecture slides, notes, and R code files, regardless of access to Blackboard.
  • Syllabus and Course Links
  • Lecture Material
  • Homework Assignments
  • Dashboard Project
  • Interesting Data
  • Dashboard Examples
  • Project Component Examples
Professor Pooler (pspooler@syr.edu) - Office: WSOM Room 518
  • In-Person Hours: Tue. Thu. 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Zoom Hours: Mon. Wed. 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM - Zoom Hrs. Link
  • Also available by appointment on Zoom or in-person (Email for appt.).
Teaching Assistants: Available by Appt.
  • Aditya Adkar - aaadkar@syr.edu

  • Arjun Pendharkar - apendhar@syr.edu

Fall 2025 Syllabus
  • NOTE: The order of the material varies slightly between semesters so the subjects covered in the syllabus may be updated as the semester progresses. I will always let you know if there are substantial changes.
Fall 2025 Absence Explanation Form
  • If you are absent or have a temporary technical issue with POLL EVERYWHERE, use this Google form to explain.
Fall 2025 BUA 455 Blackboard Site
  • Engagement Questions, Assignments, and Tests will be submitted on Blackboard.
White Paper about Analytics Skillset
  • Starting on page 8 (10th document page), this paper provides specific language about different roles in data analytics.

  • This section may be helpful as you try to explain your skillset in interviews.

Read this letter about AI
  • Using AI in coding and writing is commonplace and helpful if used cautiously and ethically.

  • This is a great ‘letter’ from a high school student who ‘broke up’ with AI because she felt it was supplanting her own voice. It’s worth your time to read and consider it.

Permananent BUA 455 Website
  • This link provides permanent access to the most recent lecture slides, notes, and R projects after the semester has ended.

  • Homework assignments, practice questions, and project information are not included on the permanent site.

Required Software Links
  • R - Required all semester

  • RStudio - Required all semester

  • Quarto - Required after HW 1

  • Posit Cloud - Required after Fall Break but can be used sooner if needed.

    • Student Subscription required for project after Fall Break.

  • RPubs - Required after Quiz 2
Software Training
  • LinkedIn Learning - Free for Syracuse University Students, Staff, and Faculty

    • R for Data Science: Analysis and Visualization
      • This training is optional and provides a good introduction to R and RStudion whch are used in this course.
    • Python Essential Training
      • Python is not used in this course but it is helpful for Analytics and Data Science.

  • DataCamp
    • An excellent (but not free) online learning center for many software packages. Costs can be subsidized (see below).

  • Whitman WIRE Initiative
    • The WIRE initiative will subsidize costs of online software training the results in certification.

    • Contact their office to arrange a meeting and develop a plan.


  • SU Open Source Program Office (OSPO)
    • OSPO offers workshops in open source software such as R/RStudio, Python, Github and facilitates communication between open source software users on campus.
Poll Everywhere

My User Name: penelopepoolereisenbies685


  • Week 14: Quarto Memo Word Document Demo and In-class Work Day
    • During this lecture I will talk for about 10-15 minutes to demonstrate and highlight a couple items.

    • I will take attendance using Poll Everywhere.

    • I will also step out for five minutes so students can complete course evaluations.

    • The rest of this class period will be used for project groups to meet and ask me questions, if needed.

    • Please keep in mind that if you need my help with coding, it is best to send me the file (or upload it to Posit Cloud) and send me your questions ahead of time.

    • Video Recording
      • Lecture 27 - 2025-12-02 - 2:00 PM

  • Week 13: - Editing a Quarto Dashboard, Project Memos, Etc.
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 13 Zipped R Project to Download
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 25 - 2025-11-18 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 25 - 2025-11-18 - 2:00 PM
      • Lecture 26 - 2025-11-20 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 26 - 2025-11-20 - 2:00 PM

  • Week 12: - More on Geographic Data, Project Management, and Publishing a Dashboard
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 12 Zipped R Project to Download
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 23 - 2025-11-11 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 23 - 2025-11-11 - 2:00 PM
      • Lecture 24 - 2025-11-13 - 9:30 AM

  • Weeks 10 and 11: - Introduction To Geographic Data and Quiz 2 Review
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Weeks 10 and 11 Zipped R Project to Download
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 20 - 2025-10-30 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 20 - 2025-10-30 - 2:00 PM
      • Lecture 21 - 2025-11-04 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 21 - 2025-11-04 - 2:00 PM

  • Week 10-Part 1 - HW 5-Part 1 and Related Skills
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 10 - Part 1 Zipped R Project to Download
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 19 - 2025-10-28 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 19 - 2025-10-28 - 2:00 PM

  • Week 9: Dashboard Project Proposal & Data Cleaning
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 9 Zipped R Project to Download
    • Week 8 In-class Exercise Screenshot
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 18 - 2025-10-23 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 18 - 2025-10-23 - 2:00 PM
      • Lecture 17 - 2025-10-21 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 17 - 2025-10-21 - 2:00 PM

  • Weeks 7 and 8: Time Series, Data Formats, Output Formats, Project Introduction
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Weeks 7 and 8 Zipped R Project to Download
    • Video Recordings - Lecture 14 Recordings are watchable, but audio issues occurred. Please let me know if you have questions.

      • Lecture 14 - 2025-10-09 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 14 - 2025-10-09 - 2:00 PM
      • Lecture 16 - 2025-10-16 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 16 - 2025-10-16 - 2:00 PM

  • Weeks 6 and 7: Reshaping. Cleaning, and Joining Data
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 6 Zipped R Project to Download
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 11 - 2025-09-30 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 11 - 2025-09-30 - 2:00 PM
      • Lecture 13 - 2025-10-07 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 13 - 2025-10-07 - 2:00 PM - There may be some flaws in this audio recording.


  • Week 5: Cheat Sheets, AI, Functions, and Review
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 5 Zipped R Project to Download
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 9 - 2025-09-23 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 9 - 2025-09-23 - 2:00 PM

  • Week 4: Combining Skills and Quiz Review
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 4 Zipped R Project to Download
      • Unzip and save unzipped project folder to BUA 455 folder on your desktop.
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 7 - 2025-09-16 - 2:00 PM - 9:30 AM recording did not have full audio.

      • Lecture 8 - 2025-09-18 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 8 - 2025-09-18 - 2:00 PM

  • Week 3: Reshaping and Summarizing Data
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 3 Zipped R Project to Download
      • Unzip and save unzipped project folder to BUA 455 folder on your desktop.
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 5 - 2025-09-09 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 5 - 2025-09-09 - 2:00 PM
      • Lecture 6 - 2025-09-11 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 6 - 2025-09-11 - 2:00 PM

  • Week 2: Introduction to dplyr commands and ggplot
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 2 Zipped R Project to Download
      • Unzip and save unzipped project folder to BUA 455 folder on your desktop.
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 3 - 2025-09-02 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 3 - 2025-09-02 - 2:00 PM
      • Lecture 4 - 2025-09-04 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 4 - 2025-09-04 - 2:00 PM

  • Week 1: R Projects, R Quarto Files, and R Syntax
    • Slides
    • Notes
    • Notes PDF
    • Week 1 Zipped R Project to Download
      • Unzip and save unzipped project folder to BUA 455 folder on your desktop.
    • Video Recordings
      • Lecture 1 - 2025-08-26 - 2:00 PM
      • Lecture 2 - 2025-08-28 - 9:30 AM
      • Lecture 2 - 2025-08-28 - 2:00 PM

  • Homework 5 - Part 2:
    • HW 5 - Part 2 - Posit Cloud Project
    • HW 5 - Part 2 Instructions
    • HW 5 - Part 2 - Text Files.zip (Upload Zipped folder of 4 text files to project folder.)
    • HW 5 - Part 2 - NewData.zip (Upload Zipped folder of two .csv files to data folder.)
    • HW5_Pt2_Page1_Graphic.png (Upload .png file to img folder.)
    • HW 5 - Part 2 - Demo Video Playlist Playlist

  • Homework 5 - Part 1:
    • HW 5 - Part 1 Instructions
    • HW 5 - Part 1.zip (Zipped R project)
    • setup_data_mgmt_chunks.txt
    • R Project - README Template.txt
    • Example Completed Dashboard with TV Data
    • HW 5 - Part 1 - Demo Video Playlist Playlist
      • OPTIONAL Extra Credit Demo

  • Homework 4:
    • HW 4 Instructions
    • HW4_Template.qmd
    • DATA: HW4_data_files.zip - Unzip and save 3 data files to data folder
    • R Project - README Template.txt
    • HW 4 Demo Video Playlist

  • Homework 3:
    • HW 3 Instructions
    • HW3_Template.qmd
    • DATA: Box_Office_Mojo_Week3_HW3.csv - Save to data folder
    • R Project - README Template.txt
    • HW 3 Demo Video Playlist

  • Homework 2:
    • HW 2 Instructions
    • HW2_Template.qmd
    • R Project - README Template.txt
    • HW 2 Demo Video Playlist

  • Homework 1 - Parts 2 and 3:
    • HW 1 Instructions
    • HW1_SETUP.txt
    • HW 1 Demo Video Playlist
Full Project Description and Grading Criteria
Purpose(s):
  • This Data Dashboard group project (23% of course grade) serves two purposes in the BUA 455 curriculum:

    1. Students will better understand the whole data management process and how to make good choices at each step to make the work process more efficient and reproducible.

    2. Students will learn about the interactive components of a data management and visualization project, i.e., a dashboard, including how to communicate with technically knowledgeable colleagues and non-technical audiences.

Description of Project:
  • Students in Groups of 5 or 6 will develop a Data Dashboard.

  • In class, we will review how to use the Quarto Dashboard format to publish a multi-page dashboard.

  • Each group will aggregate, manage, and curate data for a hypothetical client to address their data questions and needs.

  • Each student in the group, except for one, will be responsible for one page of the dashboard.

  • One person in each group (who doesn’t have their own page) will oversee project as a whole and ensure that the dashboard is cohesive.

  • Each page can present a single plot, a set of plots, or a plot and a table, and should have explanatory text and citations for data sources if needed.

  • The final page of your dashboard will include all citations for software, software packages, AI sources, and data used to create your dashboard.

NOTES:
  • Many data sources provide data in a downloadable format such as Excel (.xlsx) or .csv. I recommend saving data as CSV UTF-8 files with a .csv postscript.

  • The list below is in alphabetical order and is not an exhaustive list.

  • Some data sources do not provide data in a downloadable format so the data values have to be scraped from the website.

Billboard
  • Scraping required
BEA - Bureau of Economic Analysis
BLS- Bureau of Labor Statistics
Box Office Mojo
  • Scraping required but it’s straightforward.
Competence Centre on Composite Indicators and Scoreboards
  • Great source for unusual datas
Data World
  • An ecclectic library of data that can be searched by topic of interest
Department of Energy - Prices & Trends
Eurostat
  • A wide variety of data about Europe can be accessed at this site.

  • Aanalogous to US.Gov for the United States.

Federal Reserve Data
Kaggle
  • An ecclectic library of data that can be searched by topic of interest
  • Kaggle also holds competitions where data scientists can win money and build a reputation
Our World in Data
  • Good source for geographic and demographic data
Sports Reference
  • Scraping required
  • Wide range of sports data
Statista
  • Syracuse University Libraries provides paid membership access
  • Use link above and then sign in with SU NetID and Password
  • Excellent resource for public and private sector data
U.S. Energy Information Administration
  • Excellent information on electricity usage by location or region.
Data.Gov - Data and Statistics about the U.S.
  • Includes MANY topics including BLS, DOE, and EIA above
Yahoo Finance
  • Stock data can be directly imported into R as an xts dataset
  • HW 5 - Part 1

  • Dashboard Example 1
    • This group created a highly customized color scheme which is not required.

    • Groups can use one of the many packaged dashboard themes that work really well.

    • Overall, this is excellent work but dashboards should be less wordy.


  • Dashboard Example 2
    • This group used the default theme which is fine, but it is easy to change.

    • Overall, this is also excellent work, but again, a little too wordy.

    • The perceptive depth of the analysis in the plots made this project stand out.


  • Dashboard Example 3
    • This group used a packaged dashboard theme and complementary color pallettes that enhanced their dashboard.

    • This group also did an excellent job of editing the text and almost all of the pages are well arranged.

    • The data management in the dashboard was excellent. If this was a graduate class, I would encourage the students to go further with the analyses. I also might suggest more advanced plots and subsequent data exploration suggested by the work they had already completed.


  • Dashboard Example 4
    • This group did some interesting work and I am including this example because it corresponds to the example memos provided later in the semester.

  • Presentation to 6th Grade Class
    • In May of 2025, I asked two sixth grade classes to complete an anonymous survey and then I created a dashboard from their responses using the same criteria required for your projects.

    • This dashboard is posted on GitHub.

    • I will be using GitHub as the sole platform in a course I am developing, Interactive Exploratory Data Analysis.

Memo Examples

These two memos pertain to Example Dashboard 4. This was not a perfect dashboard, but the memos were very well executed.

  • Example Memo to Supervisor
    • Overall this memo was concise and very well executed. Although the group mentioned potential questions that might arise they did not provide possible answers to those questions.

  • Example Memo to Technical Colleague
    • This memo succinctly explained the steps needs to update each aspect of the dashboard.

    • There are always details that can be edited and improved but this was very well done.


Proposal Examples
  • Rough Draft Proposal Example
    • This example is provided as guidance NOT a template to follow.

    • Your group’s rough draft proposal does not have to look exactly like this or have this exact number of questions or data sources.


  • Final Proposal Example
    • This group added their final proposal to their rough draft text which is okay.

    • Adding your final proposal to your draft proposal is not required, but if you choose to do this, don’t worry about the page limit suggestion.

    • Again, this example is provided as guidance, not a template but I do want the final proposal to be explicit about what will be on each page and who is responsible for each page.