Information Technology Applications for Business Science

No specific prerequisite knowledge is required for this Curricular Unit.

This unit is to be delivered in a computing laboratory, using Excel and a Self Service Business Intelligence tool, Power BI, as primary
resources. It is incumbent upon students to actively engage with the instructional content, diligently address assigned exercises, and
articulate any inquiries they may have.
Comprehensive resources for the unit will be made available on the educational platform at the commencement of the semester. This
provision is intended to afford students the discretion to progressively address exercises at a pace that suits their individual learning
preferences, whilst concurrently facilitating ongoing dialogue with the educators.
The pedagogical approach will include the introduction of practical challenges within the classroom environment, specifically designed to
consolidate and extend students’ proficiency in advanced Excel functionalities. These challenges, reflective of genuine business scenarios,
are intended to elicit the most efficacious solutions from students within a defined timeframe. Progression will be monitored through the
systematic submission of completed assignments for formative feedback, fostering an ethos of continuous academic and practical
enhancement.
In Power BI, students will be encouraged to undertake a substantive project that may subsequently be integrated into their professional
portfolio. This endeavor serves to demonstrate their competencies to future employers. Students will write a detailed report, delineating the
various stages of the project, in accordance with a prescribed template. An emphasis will be placed on the utilization of open data sources,
particularly those that resonate with pertinent themes of the degree program, thereby enriching students’ academic experience and
ensuring a coherent interconnection between this and other modules. In instances where student-generated projects or dashboards are
deemed to possess research or publication merit, the pursuit of dissemination through conference papers or public repositories, with
appropriate academic attribution, will be actively promoted.
A commitment to advanced pedagogical methodologies, both Problem-based Learning and Project-based Learning, will underpin the
delivery of this unit. Students will be encouraged to venture into creative problem-solving territories and to engage in the iterative
submission of project components throughout the term. This strategy is designed to promote a progressive and collaborative construction of
knowledge, segmenting the workload into more manageable and conceptually distinct tasks.
A particular emphasis will be placed on the productivity aspects associated with the utilised tools. In a professional context, the capacity to
respond to challenges promptly, accurately, and effectively is a critical professional competency of significant pertinence. The cultivation of
these skills will notably distinguish our students as they transition into the professional sphere.

A. Knowledge
Equip students with advanced conceptual abilities and practical skills in the realm of advanced-level spreadsheet mastery and Self Service Business Intelligence software applied to business realities.
B. Objectives
– Utilise spreadsheets in data analysis, simulations, and procedure automation.
– Develop Power BI dashboards suitable for decision-making in a business context.
– Master data preparation processes and quality assurance, and communicate the analyses effectively.
C. Skills
– Identify the conditions for using the most appropriate functions and formulas.
– Use Microsoft Excel spreadsheets efficiently and effectively in solving everyday business problems.
– Leverage the dynamic structure of data manipulation.
– Employ scenario simulation tools, as Solver and Goal Seak, in business contexts.
– Present and communicate business information for decision-making efficiently and in real time.

1. Database Functions
1.1. Analogy between advanced filters and database functions
1.2. Functions BDCOUNT, BDMEDIA, BDCONTARA, BDSOMA, BDEXTRAIR, BDMAX, BDMIN, BDDESVPA
2. Date/time and data check/information functions
2.1 DATADIF, WORKDAYS, TOTAL WORKDAYS
2.2 ISTEXT, ISEMPTYCELL, ISNUM, ISERROR, ISNOTDISP
3. Data validation in Excel
3.1 Types of Validation
3.2 Types of Messages
4. Dynamic tables and charts
4.1. Framework
4.2. Table formatting
4.3. Data extraction
5. Simulation Tools
5.1. Scenario Manager
5.2. Goal Seek
5.3. Solver
6. Import data from different sources into Excel:
6.1 CSV or TXT
6.2. web
6.3. JSON
7. Self-Service Business Intelligence Tools:
7.1 Introduction to data visualization tools
7.2. Rules for creating effective Dashboards
7.3. Using Power BI to build dashboards

Assessment in this Course Unit may be carried out through Continuous Assessment or Final Examination, under the following conditions.

A. Continuous Assessment

Continuous Assessment comprises two mandatory assessment components:

A.1 Practical Computer-Based Assessment (70% - 14/20)

This component consists of an individual practical computer-based assessment designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired in the use of spreadsheets, namely data manipulation and processing, application of functions, data analysis, and problem-solving.

A.2 Individual Practical Project (30% - 6/20)

The project consists of analysing and processing a real-world dataset, preferably related to the scientific field of the Degree Programme.

Students are required to:

• prepare and transform the dataset appropriately;

• perform data analysis using Power BI;

• develop an interactive dashboard;

• apply recognised principles of effective dashboard design and data visualisation.

The project shall be completed individually during scheduled class sessions.

A.3 Attendance Requirements

To be eligible for Continuous Assessment, students must attend at least 75% of the scheduled classes. Attendance will be recorded by the lecturer during each class session.

B. Final Examination

Students who do not qualify for, or choose not to undertake, Continuous Assessment may be assessed through a Final Practical Computer-Based Examination, held during the official examination periods.

The examination accounts for 100% of the final grade and assesses all learning outcomes of the Course Unit, including:

• Spreadsheet Applications;

• Data Analysis and Visualisation using Power BI.

Final Grade

Under the Continuous Assessment scheme, the final grade is calculated as the weighted average of the two assessment components:

• Practical Computer-Based Assessment - 70%;

• Individual Power BI Project - 30%.

Under the Final Examination scheme, the final grade corresponds to the mark obtained in the Final Examination.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, or equivalent technologies, is strictly prohibited during any formal assessment activity, including practical assessments, projects completed under supervised classroom conditions, examinations, and any associated oral assessments, unless explicitly authorised by the lecturer.

Any unauthorised use of such tools shall constitute academic misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with the Institution's Academic Regulations and Academic Integrity Policy.

Verification of Authorship and Academic Integrity

Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect academic misconduct, unauthorised use of Artificial Intelligence, plagiarism, or uncertainty regarding the authorship of submitted work, the student may be required to undertake an individual oral examination.

The purpose of this oral examination is to verify that the student possesses the knowledge, understanding, and practical competencies demonstrated in the submitted assessment.

The oral examination shall be conducted before a panel comprising the Course Unit lecturer and two additional academic staff members from the same scientific area.

Should the student fail to demonstrate the required knowledge and competencies, the corresponding assessment component may be declared null and void, without prejudice to any additional disciplinary procedures established under the Institution's Academic Regulations.

NAO