Course Overview
This hands-on course builds upon foundational skills from Relational Database Design and SQL, Microsoft Excel, and Statistics for Data Analysis. COMP 2854 opens with a thorough exploration of the business cycle as it relates to data mining. Students who already understand SQL and statistics will examine essential metrics in data preparation, data exploration, and a range of analytic techniques through real-world case studies. They acquire practical experience of transforming business challenges into actionable data mining problems, using best practices before initiating any data analysis. Throughout the course, participants will develop, assess, and implement diverse models based on case study exploration. They gain valuable analytical insights by designing and testing hypotheses, primarily using SQL and Excel, plus the practical use of R and Python in production-grade analytics environments. Labs and exercises focus on leveraging SQL for analytics and Excel for data visualization, providing practical experience with data exploration, hypothesis testing, and predictive analytics. COMP 2854 is a required for the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC) from BCIT Computing and is a prerequisite for COMP 4254 –Advanced Topics in Data Analytics. Upon successful completion, students will be equipped to identify the steps in the data analysis process, recognize the roles within analytics, and construct effective analytics models.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$731.57
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify analytics stakeholders and roles.
- Identify the steps in data analysis process.
- Translate business problems into data analytics problems.
- Analyse data quality, identify data issues.
- Perform data refinement, troubleshoot data, prepare and cleanse data for data analysis.
- Use advanced SQL for data analysis, optimize SQL for efficient query execution.
- Recognize SQL antipatterns and apply corrective measures.
- Create and apply data analytic models.
- Perform data exploration, hypothesis testing, and predictive analytics.
- Use advanced SQL and Excel techniques for data visualization.
- Integrate R and Python development environments with SQL Server for production-grade data analysis.
- Create meaningful reporting to uncover insights and trends to support business decision making.
Effective as of Winter 2027
Related Programs
Data Analytics Fundamentals (COMP 2854) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Computing and Academic Studies
- Applied Data Analytics
Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of COMP 2854 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 45939
Dates
Sep 09 - Nov 25 Loading
- CRN 45939
- $731.57 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 09 - Nov 25 | Wed | 18:30 - 21:30 | Burnaby SE12 Rm. 327 |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Alexander Volkov
Course outline
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Important information
- Please email cstflex@bcit.ca for Departmental approval. Include your Student number (A0#) and COMP__ and preferred CRN __ and Program Declaration____. Course is 36 hours on campus. Please Note: Attendance, participation in class and the BCIT Learning Hub are mandatory. You should prepare to spend 2-3 hours on homework for every 1 hour of class time. This course may require an average total time commitment of 9-12+ hours per week. 3 hours of synchronous class time and 6-9+ hours per week for homework. Late registration is not permitted. BCIT Computing is primarily a Microsoft Windows environment. Students must provide their own current model Windows-compatible PC with microphone and video camera. i5 or higher equivalent processor, with 8 GB of RAM minimum, and 256 GB minimum storage. Highspeed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. Mac users must have the ability to manage and support their iOS computer. They may need to create a virtual Windows environment using Parallels or VMWare Fusion. COMP instructors may not be able to assist Mac users with software compatibility issues. BCIT does not provide access to Parallels or support for students to use a Mac to run Windows. Class in session September 30 (Truth & Reconciliation) and November 11 (Remembrance Day).
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Winter 2027
Below is one offering of COMP 2854 for the Winter 2027 term.
CRN 85276
Dates
Jan 13 - Mar 31 Loading
- CRN 85276
- $731.57 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 13 - Mar 31 | Wed | 18:30 - 21:30 | Burnaby SE12 Rm. 327 |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Alexander Volkov
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Important information
- Course is 36 hours on campus. Please Note: Attendance, participation in class and the BCIT Learning Hub are mandatory. You should prepare to spend 2-3 hours on homework for every 1 hour of class time. This course may require an average total time commitment of 9-12+ hours per week. 3 hours of synchronous class time and 6-9+ hours per week for homework. Late registration is not permitted. BCIT Computing is primarily a Microsoft Windows environment. Students must provide their own current model Windows-compatible PC with microphone and video camera. i5 or higher equivalent processor, with 8 GB of RAM minimum, and 256 GB minimum storage. Highspeed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. Mac users must have the ability to manage and support their iOS computer. They may need to create a virtual Windows environment using Parallels or VMWare Fusion. COMP instructors may not be able to assist Mac users with software compatibility issues. BCIT does not provide access to Parallels or support for students to use a Mac to run Windows.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.