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There are 4 modules in this course
The simple spreadsheet is one of the most powerful data analysis tools that exists, and it’s available to almost anyone. Major corporations and small businesses alike use spreadsheet models to determine where key measures of their success are now, and where they are likely to be in the future. But in order to get the most out of a spreadsheet, you have the know-how to use it. This course is designed to give you an introduction to basic spreadsheet tools and formulas so that you can begin harness the power of spreadsheets to map the data you have now and to predict the data you may have in the future. Through short, easy-to-follow demonstrations, you’ll learn how to use Excel or Sheets so that you can begin to build models and decision trees in future courses in this Specialization.
Basic familiarity with, and access to, Excel or Sheets is required.
This module was designed to introduce you to the history of spreadsheets, their basic capabilities, and how they can be used to create models. You'll learn the different types of data used in spreadsheets, spreadsheet notations for mathematical operations, common built-in formulas and functions, conditional expressions, relative and absolute references, and how to identify and correct circular references. By the end of this module, you'll understand the context of spreadsheets, be able to navigate a spreadsheet, use built-in formulas and functions in spreadsheets, create your own simple formulas, and identify and correct common errors so you can put spreadsheets to work for you.
What's included
6 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 42 minutes
1.1 Objectives and a Little Spreadsheet History•4 minutes
1.2 Navigating a spreadsheet and crafting formulas•20 minutes
1.3 Using functions•5 minutes
1.4 Using conditional expressions in formulas•4 minutes
1.5 Common errors in spreadsheets•5 minutes
1.6 Differences between Sheets and Excel•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
PDF of Module 1 Lecture Slides•10 minutes
Module 1 examples•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Practice Quiz #1•30 minutes
Module 1 Quiz: History, Formulas, Functions and Errors•30 minutes
From Spreadsheet to Model
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you'll move from spreadsheet to model, so you can begin to create your own models that reflect real-world events. You'll learn how to organize and lay out model elements, as well as the types of objective functions and their use. You'll also learn what-if analysis and scenarios, sensitivity analysis, and other classic models. By the end of this module, you'll be able to design a spreadsheet reflecting assumptions, decision variables, and outcomes, create a basic cashflow model, evaluate a small business opportunity, conduct what-if analysis, identify key variables using sensitivity analysis, and linear programming models and deterministic models.
What's included
6 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 23 minutes
2.0 Module Introduction•3 minutes
2.1 Using assumptions and decision variables in spreadsheet models•3 minutes
2.2 Structuring a spreadsheet to model variables, objectives, and objective functions•3 minutes
2.3 Constructing simple cashflow model•5 minutes
2.4 What-if analysis and sensitivity analysis•4 minutes
2.5 Limits to simple, deterministic models•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
PDF of Module 2 Lecture Slides•10 minutes
Module 2 examples•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Practice Quiz #2•30 minutes
Module 2 Quiz: Classic Models•30 minutes
Addressing Uncertainty and Probability in Models
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
This module was designed to introduce you to how you can use spreadsheets to address uncertainty and probability. You'll learn about random variables, probability distributions, power, exponential, and log functions in model formulas, models for calculating probability trees and decision trees, how to use regression tools to make predictions, as well as multiple regression. By the end of this module, you'll be able to measure correlations between variables using spreadsheet statistical functions, understand the results of functions that calculate correlations, use regression tools to make predictions, and improve forecasts with multiple regression.
What's included
6 videos3 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 40 minutes
3.0 Introduction•2 minutes
3.1 Random variables and probability distributions•11 minutes
3.2 Changes in discrete and continuous time•5 minutes
3.3 Power, exponential, and log functions•9 minutes
3.4 Probability trees and decision trees•6 minutes
3.5 Correlation and Regression•7 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
PDF of Module 3 Lecture Slides•10 minutes
Module 3 examples•10 minutes
Additional reading on exponential and other functions•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Practice Quiz #3•30 minutes
Module 3 Quiz: Probability, Correlation, and Regression•30 minutes
Simulation and Optimization
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you'll learn to use spreadsheets to implement Monte Carlo simulations as well as linear programs for optimization. You'll examine the purpose of Monte Carlo simulations, how to implement Monte Carlo simulations in spreadsheets, the types of problems you can address with linear programs and how to implement those linear programs in spreadsheets. By the end of this module, you'll be able to model uncertainty and risk in spreadsheets, and use Excel's solver to optimize resources to reach a desired outcome. You'll also be able to identify the similarities and differences between Excel and Sheets, and be prepared for the next course in the Business and Financial Modeling Specialization.
What's included
4 videos3 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 34 minutes
4.0 Introduction•3 minutes
4.1 Monte Carlo Simulations•14 minutes
4.2 Linear Programming•10 minutes
4.3 Next Steps, and Differences between Excel and Sheets•7 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
PDF of Module 4 Lecture Slides•10 minutes
Module 4 examples•10 minutes
Links and other resources for further study•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Practice Quiz #4•30 minutes
Module 4 Quiz: Simulations, Scenarios, and Optimization•30 minutes
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The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
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4·
Reviewed on Sep 2, 2022
Good course with the essentials in data mindset and skill for basic data analytics tools. But sometime the teacher describles unclearly so It is hard to complete the quiz.
M
MM
5·
Reviewed on Jun 21, 2017
This course has made me understand cost accounting, has provided a fresh perspective on how to solve some of the challenges i had with management accounting and as a bonus, made me love maths again :)
R
RS
5·
Reviewed on Jul 29, 2021
This course is a must for all the learners who want to go ahead and achieve big because this course not just teaches you about financial scenarios etc. but the knowledge can be used in real life
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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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.