Data Visualization with MS Power BI

Microcredential Part-time School of Computing and Academic Studies

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Overview

Data Visualization Microcredential unlocks the power of data. It's designed for those with no experience in data modeling and equips you with Excel and Power BI skills to create dynamic dashboards. Taught by industry experts, you'll be set on a path to become a data-driven decision-maker. Earn digital badges and credits towards further education.

About the program

Data Visualization starts with COMP 2364 – Microsoft Excel: become an expert in using spreadsheets and be able to prepare data for analysis
The second step is COMP 2156 – Introduction to Microsoft Power BI: learn best practices in how to present data visually and build dashboards
Then move on to more advanced MS Power BI courses, choosing from one of the following electives to complete this microcredential:
–COMP 3156 – MS Power BI Optimization
–COMP 3157 – MS Power BI Advanced Visualization
Please note: Some course sections may require you to bring your own device (BYOD)

See Program Details to learn more.

Is this microcredential for you?

You have no prior experience in data modeling and would like to be introduced to data visualization tools by industry experts
You’d like to use data to create insight, applying both your problem-solving and communication skills
You have strong Windows 11 computer use skills – the prerequisite for all COMP courses is COMP 1002 or equivalent knowledge of PC file management
You are a mature student with prior work and/or post-secondary experience
You’re able to devote 10+ hours per week outside of class to complete homework, reading, and assignments for each course – learn more about workload and attendance expectations in our Computing Flexible Learning Student Guide

Please check the Entrance Requirements.

What Data Visualization microcredential grads can do

Create, manage, and use data analytics systems and tools to help organizations understand their data and make informed decisions
Earning badges and this microcredential: You can apply for a digital badge after completion for each of COMP 2364, COMP 2156, COMP 3156, and COMP 3157 – applies to courses completed after September 2023. Microcredential badges contain embedded data, including the competencies assessed, and may be linked to an online resume, website or social media platform
Complete COMP 2256 – Introduction to Visual Analytics with Tableau, and earn an independent 4th related badge in using another leading tool
Ladder further – these COMP courses also count for credit in several Computing Flexible learning programs, including Applied Computer Information Systems (ACIS), and Applied Database Administration and Design (ADAD) Associate Certificates, as well as the Applied Data Analytics (ADAC) Certificate and Computer Systems (CST FLEX) Diploma

Start with just one course COMP 2364 – Microsoft Excel

Entrance Requirements

Completion of COMP 1002 or equivalent knowledge of PC file management.

Application processing

Ongoing throughout the year.

Recommended for success

English skills at a Grade 12 level or equivalent.
Math skills at a Grade 12 level or equivalent.
Post-secondary education and/or work experience in any of the following fields: business, computing, education, government, or health-related organizations, providing a greater context for mining data and utilizing analytical tools.

International applicants

In-person delivery

This delivery option is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.

Online delivery

This delivery option is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than study permit. International students completing the program fully online are not eligible for a study permit.

Apply to program

Formal application to the microcredential is not required. Upon successful completion of the courses, email the program contact with your full name, student number, and mailing address to be issued a microcredential.

Scheduled Intakes

Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.

Costs & Supplies

For the first three (3) Microsoft related COMP courses, please budget approximately $1,300 for tuition. The Tableau course will be an additional $ 600.

Tuition fees

Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.

Books & supplies

The program requires two required and one optional textbook, with an estimated budget of $350 for books.
Students are required to provide their own current model laptop computer that is capable of running Windows 11 and must have high-speed internet access for homework.

Courses

Some courses in this program may be completed entirely online, others have on campus course options.

Standalone badge Credits

	COMP 2256	Introduction to Visual Analytics with Tableau	3.0
		course outline

Program matrix

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Required Courses (6.0 credits):			Credits
	COMP 2364	Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that can be used to analyse, communicate and manage information. Those with no prior spreadsheet experience will acquire expert level applied skills in the latest version of MS Excel. This instructor lead, hands-on course focuses on best practices used to create meaningful workbooks and how to master the techniques and time saving shortcuts for the daily use of MS Excel. Students learn to use MS Excel Ribbon interface with contextual tabs, Quick Access Toolbar and how to make use of templates, styles, pivot tables, what if analysis tools and macros via lectures, lab exercises and assignments outside of class. Topics include: creating, editing, formatting and saving a worksheet, sorting, filtering, slicers, applying formulae, functions, importing and exporting data, and consolidating data in multiple worksheets. This course is required in the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC) and the Applied Computer Applications (ACA) Associate Certificate from BCIT Computing Part-time Studies. By the end of this course, successful participants will be expert end users of MS Excel. Prerequisite(s): COMP 1002 course outline	3.0
	COMP 2156	Introduction to Microsoft Power BI Power BI is a Microsoft collection of tools and an analytics service for data visualization and business intelligence reporting. BCIT Computing offers a series of MS Power Bi courses. COMP 2156 is a hands-on intro course designed for database professionals, data analysts, business analysts and managers. It follows on from COMP 2362 or COMP 2364, it assumes that students have an understanding of statistics for data analysis and advanced functions of MS Excel. Students begin with a brief introduction to the building blocks of Microsoft Power BI and its related services. They are shown how to get a variety of data into the Power BI Desktop from multiple sources. In class labs and exercises focus on how to model, explore, clean and transform simple data for business reports. Topics include: Data Analysis Expressions, DAX, relationships and Data Visualization. Labs and assignments are designed to provide best practices that can be transferred to the workplace. Participants must provide their own current model PC capable of running Windows 10 and MS Excel, with an i5 or higher equivalent processor, 8 GB minimum RAM, and 256 GB minimum storage. High-speed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. COMP 2156 is an elective in several BCIT Computing credentials including the CST Diploma (FLEX), and a required course in the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC). By the end of this course successful students will be able use the Power BI unified analytics platform to build and publish high quality dashboards to the web. They will be prepared to move on to the next level COMP 3156 –MS Power BI Optimization and COMP 3157–MS Power BI Advanced Data Visualization. Prerequisite(s): 60% in COMP 2362 or 60% in COMP 2364 course outline	1.5
and
	COMP 3156	MS Power BI Optimization Following on from COMP 2156 , and parallel to COMP 3157, this hands-on advanced course was designed for Business Intelligence and Data Analysts. Students who already know how to use Power BI to build and publish reports begin with an in-depth introduction to Star Schema and its relevance to optimal Power BI data modeling. COMP 3156 in-class labs and exercises focus on specific strategies to optimize large complex Power BI data models and how to leverage Power BI Service in the cloud for fast performing reports. Topics include relational data modeling in Power BI, Designing Import, DirectQuery, and Composite Data Models. There is also an in-depth explanation of Power BI Service Performance Monitoring. Tabular Editor and DAX Studio are also discussed. Labs and assignments include managing security permissions, data visibility based on role as and leveraging specialized third-party tools. Tabular Editor and DAX Studio are used to monitor and evaluate data model performance. Participants must provide their own current model PC capable of running Windows 11 and MS Excel, with an i5 or higher equivalent processor, 8 GB minimum RAM, and 256 GB minimum storage. High-speed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. COMP 3156 is an elective in several BCIT Computing credentials including the CST Diploma (FLEX), and the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC). By the end of this course, successful students will be able to build advanced, optimized data models and use the Power BI Service cloud environment. This course will be offered in the Winter (January) and Spring (April) terms. Prerequisite(s): 60% in COMP 2156 course outline	1.5
or
	COMP 3157	MS Power BI Advanced Data Visualization Following on from COMP 2156, and parallel to COMP 3156, this hands-on advanced course was designed for Business Intelligence and Data Analysts. Students who already know how to use Power BI to build and publish reports begin with an in-depth introduction to the dashboard development process. COMP 3157 in-class labs and exercises focus on creating advanced user-friendly reports and dashboards. Topics include visualization best practices, misleading data visualization practices to avoid, how to manage dashboard development projects and more. There is also an in-depth explanation of the Guided Analytics Approach and Dashboard UI/UX principles are also discussed. Labs and assignments include creating advanced reports with Power BI Desktop, identifying common data visualization pitfalls and discussing methods to apply visualization best practices. Participants must provide their own current model PC capable of running Windows 11 and MS Excel, with an i5 or higher equivalent processor, 8 GB minimum RAM, and 256 GB minimum storage. High-speed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. COMP 3157 is an elective in several BCIT Computing credentials including the CST Diploma (FLEX), and the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC). By the end of this course, successful students will be able to build innovative and accessible dashboards for various stakeholder groups. This course will be offered in the fall (September) or winter (January) term. Prerequisite(s): 60% in COMP 2156 course outline	1.5

Total Credits:			6.0

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Digital badge information

For information on how to obtain your course and/or microcredential digital badge, please review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Transfer credit

Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.

Program Details

Program length

Students must complete the courses in the following sequence:

COMP 2364 prior to COMP 2156
COMP 2156 prior to COMP 3156 and COMP 3157

All three Power BI courses may be completed in the same term over 12 weeks, or over two terms.

Grading

The minimum passing grade for each course is 60%.

Program delivery

This program is offered in the following delivery modes:

In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Online: The entire program is delivered fully online.

Program location

Courses may be offered at the following locations:

Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC

Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC

Distance and online learning

Continue your education

The Data Visualization with MS Power BI Microcredential contains courses which ladder to the Applied Computer Information Systems (ACIS) and the Applied Database Administration and Design (ADAD) Associate Certificates, plus the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC) and the Computer Systems (CST) FLEX Diploma.

Faculty, Advisors & Staff

BCIT Computing Flexible Learning courses are delivered by subject matter experts with industry experience.

Our data visualization instructor and advisory team includes: Ahmad Chamy, Diana Gerrard, Donabel Santos, Joanne Atha, and Wouter De Raeve.

Proposals for this program were developed by Cynthia van Ginkel, Business Development Manager for the School of Computing and Academic Studies.

Administrative student support is provided by Karen Lee, with program operations by Joanne Atha, Coordinator for BCIT Computing Flexible Learning. Donna Turner is the Associate Dean for Computing and Technical Professional Programs.

This Data Visualization with MS Power BI microcredential was developed as a sub-set of the Applied Data Analytic (ADAC) Certificate created by Kevin Cudihee, Program Head for BCIT Computing Flexible Learning and Industry Training.

Contact Us

For course and program details, please email: cstflex@bcit.ca

Check here to apply for Digital Badges and Microcredentials.

Questions or comments?

Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.