RES-ECON 112: Computing - Foundations to Frontiers

Example syllabus only – exact content subject to change. Please see your instructor’s syllabus for the current term for your specific course’s guidelines

Meetings: TuThu 8:30-9:45am 1/29/2026 - 5/8/2026
Classroom: Integrative Learning Center S120

Instructor: Dr. Miah Tran (She/Her)
Email: @email or @email
Office Location: Stockbridge Hall 217C
Office Hours: TuThu 10-11am and by appointment

Teaching Assistants: Office Hours (Check Canvas).

TA’s OFFICE HOURS: My teaching assistants will hold various office hours during the semester. They are friendly and resourceful. Take this chance to improve your computing skills. But keep in mind that you only learn when you work on the assignments on your own and ask for help on unresolved issues. Refrain from going to office hours unprepared!

Prerequisite(s): None.

Text(s): None required.

Required Software

You can obtain access to MS Excel, MS Access, and SAS for free via the university's Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) without downloading any software to your computer. However, if you prefer to download those software packages to your computers, MS Excel (for Mac and Windows computers) and Access (only for Windows computers) are free or available to registered resource economics students at UMass. Links to request access to AVD or download software are provided on Canvas.

COURSE WEB PAGE

Canvas (go to https://www.umass.edu/it/canvas). I will post learning materials, grades, etc. in Canvas. It is important that you check the website frequently.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS AND OBJECTIVES

This course focuses on important computing concepts and techniques, including data analysis and modeling using MS Excel spreadsheets, relational data management using MS Access, and data management and analysis using SAS. On top of the IT learning outcomes, this course will help you train your critical thinking, strengthen your ability to troubleshoot problems, and efficiently work in groups of diverse students. These capabilities will give you a competitive edge in job seeking or pursuing advanced studies.

Since this class is designed to create a team-based learning environment (flipped-classroom), success in this course requires collaboration and cooperation between teammates and participation in class activities and assignments. You will learn how teamwork contributes to individual and collective success. NO FREE RIDER IS ALLOWED! Remember we don’t have “traditional” lectures where I teach you the materials. Instead, you are asked to come to class prepared while class time is devoted to discussions and class activities. Your performance will be assessed in a variety of means, such as projects, in-class assignments, homework, exams, and peer evaluations. It means you must work hard individually as well as in a team. As an instructor, I will support you as much as I can so that you obtain the best experience learning exciting modern computing tools, learning how to work in teams, and developing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You also have several teaching assistants to rely on when you have difficulty. Don’t be afraid to ask!

TEAM-BASED LEARNING

Team-based learning is a type of flipped classrooms that are designed to increase students’ in-class interactive engagement and focus on applications of the knowledge. Our class consists of over 90 students who will be immediately formed into groups of 6-9 students on the first day of class. Your group members might change during the first two weeks of the semester due to drop-outs and add-ins. Once you form a group, you will work together for the whole semester. Since each group consists of students of different backgrounds, you will benefit from your teammates’ unique perspectives and experience. So be respectful to your teammates! To be successful in this class, there are three primary steps which should be done by each team member: (1) Preparation outside of class, (2) Active engagement in class, and (3) Self-reflection.

• Preparation outside of class: The flipped classroom models require you to learn basic concepts outside of class to be further developed in class. You will learn the concepts and techniques of Spreadsheet and Database learning outside of class time. You can learn from any individual resources, tutorials, or videos. Some of them might be found in Canvas.
• Active engagement in class: Use your class time effectively by interacting with your teammates, your instructor and teaching assistants.
• Self-reflection: After each assignment, you should step back and jot down your thoughts over the course of arriving at the solutions. What challenges did you face? How did you overcome them? How did you work with your teammates to reach a common goal? What could you have done better? These reflective assignments will not only reinforce your learning but also help you build up your intellectual strength. Self- refection training is valuable for your long-term personal and professional development.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course contributes to the following student learning objectives for undergraduate students in the Department of Resource Economics:

Grade Policies

Letter Grade Distribution: Total scores are less than or equal to

Grading Details:

• Exams:
  • Two midterm exams are not comprehensive: each corresponds to a different component of the course (Excel or Access). The Excel test is taken on a computer while the MS Access one is written (either multiple choice or short answer).
  • The final exam is comprehensive with SAS accounting for 80% of the grade while Excel and Access components account for 20%. The SAS component requires both coding (computer) and multiple- choice answers. The Excel and Access components for the final are multiple-choice.
  • Remember that there is no make-up exam given unless the student has the university-approved reasons for not taking the tests as scheduled and provides all the written documents under such circumstances (see details in the Exam policies).
     
• Homework Assignments: Thereare 07 tutorial assignments throughout the semester. One lowest score will be dropped. The instructions are very detailed and most of the time you can finish your homework on your own. Studentsare expected to do theirhomework independently. Offering and accepting solutions from others is an act of plagiarism, which is a serious offense, and all involved parties will be penalized according to the Academic Honesty Policy. Discussion amongst students is encouraged, but when in doubt, direct your questions to the professor or teaching assistants (TAs). Also, do not wait till the last minute to do your homework since it might take longer than you expect. Doing it at least two or three days before deadlines will give you more time to absorb the knowledge, attempt different methods to reach the answers or seek help when needed.
  • You have one week from the date of grade release to question about your grades. Every request after one week won’t be considered.
  • Late submissions are allowed for 20% points deducted within 3 days of deadlines, 50% points deducted after 3 days and less than 1 week. After one week of deadlines, no late submissions are allowed.
     
• Inclass Team-based Exercises: During the semester, you will be given multiple team-based exercisesin class as opportunities to reinforce what you have learned from your homework tutorial assignments. Each complete submission is worth 1 point. While these are team-based exercises, you will only get points if you are present during those class times. As I said earlier, free riders are not allowed in thisclass.
   
• Group Projects: Two group projects will be assigned. Details will be posted on Canvas when the time comes.

Exam Policies

• Exams are closed book, but you may have one 3”x5” notecard for the final exam.
• Make-up examinations will be scheduled for those students presenting a valid excuse for missing the examination (as outlined in “Academic Regulations” https://www.umass.edu/registrar/sites/default/files/academicregs.pdf). Students will be able to sign up for make-up exams by emailing @email at least one week before the scheduled exam date. You will also need either a medical note or signed note or email from Dr. Tran to be able to take a make-up exam (you will need to present the note/email to the TA at the make-up exam). Doctor notes have to clearly specify which date and how many days you are allowed to take off.
• Students requesting a make-up exam within one day of the exam will be subject to a 20% grade penalty. No makeup is allowed if the request is made after one day of the exam.

Classroom Decorum

Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. In order to ensure that all students have the opportunity to gain from time spent in class, I propose certain basic standards of classroom respect be adhered to. Respect does not eliminate appropriate humor, enjoyment, or other indications of a comfortable and pleasant classroom community. However, there is an expectation that all participants inthis course will:

• Display respect for all members of the classroom community: your instructor, TAs, your teammates, and fellow students.
• Attend and participate in group discussions, and other classroom activities.
• Avoid unnecessary disruptions during class such as private conversations, reading newspapers, speaking on cell phones, using a laptop for something other than current classroom work, arriving late or leaving early, eating, drinking, and sleeping during class.
• Please wait for the class to be formally dismissed before you start to pack up your things or get up to leave. If you must leave early, inform the instructor at the beginning of the class.
• Avoid negative language that is considered racist, sexist, or homophobic or in other ways may exclude mem- bers of our campus and classroom community.

ACCOMMODATIONS, ACADEMIC HONESTY, AND TITLE IX STATEMENTS

University policies regarding Accommodations, Academic Honesty, and Title IX, apply to all courses. The policies can be found following this link: https://www.umass.edu/senate/book/required-syllabus-statements.

AI Policy

ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) and similar AI (Artificial Intelligence) generators: Except for exams and tests, the use of AI tools, including ChatGPT, is permitted in this course for students who wish to use them. To adhere to our scholarly values, students must cite any AI-generated material that informed their work (this includes in-text citations and/or use of quotations, and in your reference list). Using an AI tool to generate content without proper attribution or during any forms of exams and tests qualifies as academic dishonesty.

Tentative Course Outline

Remember this is just a preliminary schedule. I may change it along the course to make your learning more efficient and valuable. Please check your Canvas frequently for updates!