Key Information
About the content
This course is part of the Microsoft Professional Program Certificate in Data Science.
If you’re considering a career as a data analyst, you need to know about histograms, Pareto charts, Boxplots, Bayes’ theorem, and much more. In this applied statistics course, the second in our Microsoft Excel Data Analyst XSeries, use the powerful tools built into Excel, and explore the core principles of statistics and basic probability—from both the conceptual and applied perspectives. Learn about descriptive statistics, basic probability, random variables, sampling and confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. And see how to apply these concepts and principles using the environment, functions, and visualizations of Excel.
As a data science pro, the ability to analyze data helps you to make better decisions, and a solid foundation in statistics and basic probability helps you to better understand your data. Using real-world concepts applicable to many industries, including medical, business, sports, insurance, and much more, learn from leading experts why Excel is one of the top tools for data analysis and how its built-in features make Excel a great way to learn essential skills.
Before taking this course, you should be familiar with organizing and summarizing data using Excel analytic tools, such as tables, pivot tables, and pivot charts. You should also be comfortable (or willing to try) creating complex formulas and visualizations. Want to start with the basics? Check out DAT205x: Introduction to Data Analysis using Excel. As you learn these concepts and get more experience with this powerful tool that can be extremely helpful in your journey as a data analyst or data scientist, you may want to also take the third course in our series, DAT206x Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Excel. This course includes excerpts from Microsoft Excel 2016: Data Analysis and Business Modeling from Microsoft Press and authored by course instructor Wayne Winston.
This course is also part of the Microsoft Excel for the Data Analyst XSeries.
edX offers financial assistance for learners who want to earn Verified Certificates but who may not be able to pay the fee. To apply for financial assistance, enroll in the course, then follow this link to complete an application for assistance.
- Descriptive statistics
- Basic probability
- Random variables
- Sampling and confidence intervals
- Hypothesis testing
Prerequisite
- Secondary school (high school) algebra
- Ability to work with tables, formulas, and charts in Excel
- Ability to organize and summarize data using Excel analytic tools such as tables, pivot tables, and pivot charts
- Excel 2016 is required for the full course experience. Excel 2013 will work but will not support all the visualizations and functions
Syllabus
Module 1: Descriptive Statistics
You will learn how to describe data using charts and basic statistical measures. Full use will be made of the new histograms, Pareto charts, Boxplots, and Treemap and Sunburst charts in Excel 2016.
Module 2: Basic Probability
You will learn basic probability including the law of complements, independent events, conditional probability and Bayes Theorem.
Module 3: Random Variables
You will learn how to find the mean and variance of random variables and then learn about the binomial, Poisson, and Normal random variables. We close with a discussion of the beautiful and important Central Limit Theorem.
Module 4: Sampling and Confidence Intervals
You will learn the mechanics of sampling, point estimation, and interval estimation of population parameters.
Module 5: Hypothesis Testing
You will learn null and alternative hypotheses, Type I and Type II error, One sample tests for means and proportions, Tests for difference between means of two populations, and the Chi Square Test for Independence.
Instructors
Liberty J. Munson
Principal Psychometrician and Quality Lead
Microsoft
Matthew Minton
Senior Content Publishing Manager
Microsoft
Wayne Winston
Professor Emeritus of Decision Sciences at the Kelly School of Business
Indiana University
Content Designer
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington, that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics and personal computers and services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, Microsoft Office office suite, and Internet Explorer web browser.
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