When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
This course introduces students to the science of business analytics while casting a keen eye toward the artful use of numbers found in the digital space. The goal is to provide businesses and managers with the foundation needed to apply data analytics to real-world challenges they confront daily in their professional lives. Students will learn to identify the ideal analytic tool for their specific needs; understand valid and reliable ways to collect, analyze, and visualize data; and utilize data in decision making for their agencies, organizations or clients.
This module, will help you earn the foundation needed to become a good data communicator. After completion of this module, you will know the history of data visualizaiton, understand today’s dataviz tools, make connections with visuals, and evaluate the effectiveness of data visualizations.
Lecture 1-3: Making Connections With Visuals•8 minutes
Lecture 1-4: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Dataviz•9 minutes
8 readings•Total 190 minutes
Syllabus•30 minutes
Glossary•10 minutes
Brand Descriptions•10 minutes
About the Discussion Forums•10 minutes
Online Education at Gies College of Business•10 minutes
Update Your Profile•10 minutes
Module 1 Overview•20 minutes
Module 1 Readings•90 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Orientation Quiz•30 minutes
Pictures You See with Your Brain: Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Pictures You See with Your Brain: Assignment•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Getting to Know Your Classmates•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
Welcome! Please Tell Us About Yourself•15 minutes
Module 2: Working Fast and Thinking Slow
3 hours to complete
Module details
This module will walk you through various methods to access data. The data could be either publicly available or company internal. The module also reviews why it is important for analysts to define clear objectives for their analysis. You will also be introduced to frameworks that help guide digital marketing analysis and their importance to data visualization.
What's included
5 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 35 minutes
Module 2 Overview•1 minute
Lecture 2-1: Understanding The Growth Of Data•7 minutes
Lecture 2-2: Evaluating Methods Of Data Access•8 minutes
Lecture 2-3: Focusing Your Communication Journey•9 minutes
Lecture 2-4: Planning Your Data Story•10 minutes
2 readings•Total 27 minutes
Module 2 Overview•20 minutes
Module 2 Readings•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Working Fast and Thinking Slow: Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Honors Assignment 1•60 minutes
Module 3: Finding Your Data Story
3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will learn an approach to finding patterns in data through visualization. You will see how charts can be used to communicate messages that can be conceptual or data driven and declarative or exploratory. Next, we will learn how to use different charting techniques to reveal data patterns. Visual aids play a major role in identifying ideas and, as a result, we will learn how to match the appropriate visual technique to the ideas we hope to expose. Next, we will explore analysis tools. RStudio is one of the most commonly used tools, and we will explore its visual capabilities. Finally, we will discuss a framework that will help analysts effectively plan for data collection, analysis, and, ultimately, visualization.
What's included
5 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 29 minutes
Module 3 Overview•2 minutes
Lecture 3-1: Finding Patterns In Data•10 minutes
Lecture 3-2: Being Planful When Creating Dataviz•6 minutes
Lecture 3-3: Understanding The Components of Visual Form•3 minutes
Lecture 3-4: Enriching Content Through Connection•8 minutes
2 readings•Total 40 minutes
Module 3 Overview•10 minutes
Module 3 Readings•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Finding Your Data Story: Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Finding Your Data Story: Peer Review Assignment•60 minutes
Module 4: Getting Your Story Across
4 hours to complete
Module details
This module explores telling stories, through data, that connect emotionally with your audience. It will also review examples and figures that make the concept easy to understand. You will learn the major do’s and don’ts of creating dataviz and rules that lead to the clear depiction of your findings. This unit specifically focuses on Dona Wong’s guidelines for good data visualization and charts. The last leg of Module 4 teaches the three tests that help you improve your visualization. In the final step of dataviz execution, you will learn the McCandless Method for presenting visualizations. This five-step process produces the most effective communication of the graphics to your audience.
Lecture 4-2: Bringing Sophistication To Charts•7 minutes
Lecture 4-3: Improving Chart Legibility•7 minutes
Lecture 4-4: Presenting Dataviz With Impact•9 minutes
Learn on Your Terms•1 minute
4 readings•Total 100 minutes
Module 4 Overview•20 minutes
Module 4 Readings•60 minutes
Congratulations on completing the course!•10 minutes
Get Your Course Certificate•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Getting Your Story Across: Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Honors Assignment 2•60 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
How Was the Course?•15 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
View eligible degrees
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
OK
Instructors
Instructor ratings
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.6
660 reviews
5 stars
72.42%
4 stars
20.15%
3 stars
4.24%
2 stars
1.51%
1 star
1.66%
Showing 3 of 660
F
F
5·
Reviewed on Feb 3, 2023
Good course to understand the fundamentals of data visualization and how to effectively communicate through visuals instead of plain words or number tables
H
HL
4·
Reviewed on Jan 28, 2023
This course highlighted the points to take note when creating a data visualisation which I found very useful.
R
RA
5·
Reviewed on Jul 13, 2024
I really enjoy the course, all good. I want to take another course again in Business Analytics Specialization.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until 2 weeks after your payment date. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the 2-week refund period. View our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes! Coursera provides financial aid to learners who would like to complete a course but cannot afford the course fee. To apply for aid, select "Learn more and apply" in the Financial Aid section below the "Enroll" button. You'll be prompted to complete a simple application; no other paperwork is required.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.