Pre-Skills

Students join the Smith School with a variety of technical skills, educational, and professional backgrounds. In the MS in Information Systems program, students will acquire knowledge of SQL, Python, R, and Tableau in their first semester. Incoming students are not required to be proficient with these technologies prior to the start of classes, but they should develop some experience and knowledge of these technologies. This knowledge will help students be more effective and efficient with their learning. It is also highly recommended that students are familiar with basic business concepts. The resources below have been compiled to assist incoming students with preparing for their master's coursework.

UMD students have unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, an online library of instructional videos covering the latest software, creative, and business skills.

 

Required In-Person Workshop

There will be an in-person workshop offered for BUDT 731: Data Models and Decisions Using R with Professor Sujin Kim. This workshop will provide a good foundation for success in this course. This workshop is required and provided at no cost Thursday, August 22, 2024, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. (part of New Student Orientation).

 

Summer Online Synchronous Workshops

The Smith Master Student Association (SMSA), together with the Masters Programs Office, frequently hosts Academic Skill-Building Workshops for current students. In July and August there were three sessions offered that were required for incoming MS in Information Systems students who do not have prior experience with these topics. Recordings are now available. 

1. Introduction to Data Science with Python Workshop

Content includes:
-- Basic programming in Python
-- Reading different file formats in Python
-- Data Manipulation: Exploration and Cleaning NumPy and pandas
-- Data Visualization with seaborn
-- Saving different file formats in Python

Recording: https://umd.zoom.us/rec/share/xcQam0ej8uDTRZ7CzKhZaJrzTgv7QW4duefkMErmrV3McUg3RlRqG11FgCK53CQ.q2hjdqabL9b8xpxg
Passcode: zZ$S5?t=

2. Introduction to Data Science with R Workshop

Content includes:
-- Basic programming in R
-- Reading different file formats in R
-- Data Manipulation: Exploration and Cleaning dplyr and tidyr
-- Data Visualization with ggplot
-- Saving different file formats in R

Recording: https://umd.zoom.us/rec/share/yPqvpTF0ilO-wR3V2V10zWdRyUkynJRKH2aNs8hrc2V7pNogwNh2-sRENHA2aXHK.6tu-pzPxK8XCYrYb?startTime=1722690383000
Passcode: CWdEL5$x

3. Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL)

Content will include:
-- Basic SQL concepts
-- How to access and manipulate data with SQL

Recording: https://umd.zoom.us/rec/share/DByIT1FAkc_ICUIQlxOQt7VXzq30zVmG7-x-LJqEk0GZ0ChOijyxKbHk76NNq479.BcRIxo7AqZyxqCic?startTime=1722776708000
Passcode: 9^#16NYB

 

Strongly Recommended Assignments

First semester courses will focus on analytical principles that can guide complex decision-making. A strong understanding of basic business math, basic statistics, and spreadsheet skills will be critical to successfully completing the semester. To prepare for coursework, it is strongly recommended that students complete all of the following before the start of class:

 

Optional Assignments and Reading