About
This course introduces students to basic knowledge in programming, data management, and exploratory data analysis using SAS software. Students are provided the opportunity to learn a comprehensive set of SAS data-related techniques through lessons, demonstrations, and homework assignments. The material covered in STAT 480, in conjunction with the material covered in the sequel course STAT 481, is designed to prepare students for taking the SAS Version 9 Base Programming Certification Exam.
Course Topics
The goals of the course are:
- to prepare students (in conjunction with STAT 481) for taking the SAS Version 9 Base Programming Certification Exam
- to introduce you to basic programming constructs, such as assignment statements and if/then/else statements
- to learn how to program in the SAS software application
- to provide you with an understanding of how the SAS application can be used effectively to manage, manipulate and analyze data
- to learn a basic set of good programming practices
Course Author(s)
Dr. Laura Simon is the primary author of the materials for this course and is SAS certified. In addition, she has also authored the companion courses that follow this: STAT 481 and STAT 482. She has recently updated the focus of the course and has added considerably to the number of examples and the amount of interaction.
Software
- Access to a Windows PC that has internet access, SAS, and Microsoft Word
- Access to your own copy of SAS 9.4. Please make sure that you visit Statistical Software page for the latest information about SAS.
This course uses Honorlock for proctored exams. For more information view O.3 What is a proctored exam? in the student orientation.
Textbook
There are no required texts for this class.
- Delwiche, Lora D., Slaughter, S.J., (2019), The Little SAS Book: Primer, Sixth Edition. Cary, NC: SAS Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-1642952834; ISBN-10: 164295283
- Cody, Ronald P. and Jeffrey K. Smith (2006), Applied Statistics and the SAS Programming Language, Fifth Edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-146532-5
- SAS Institute Inc. (2019), SAS® Certification Prep Guide: Base Programming for SAS® 9.4, 3rd Edition, Cary, NC: SAS Institute, Inc.
Assessment Plan
- 12 homework assignments (12 points each for a total of 144 points)
- 12 lesson quizzes (10 points each for a total of 120 points)
- Midterm exam (78 points)
- Final exam (78 points)
PLEASE NOTE: This course may require you to take exams using certain proctoring software that uses your computer’s webcam or other technology to monitor and/or record your activity during exams. The proctoring software may be listening to you, monitoring your computer screen, viewing you and your surroundings, recording and storing any and all activity (including visual and audio recordings) during the proctoring process. By enrolling in this course, you consent to the use of the proctoring software selected by your instructor, including but not limited to any audio and/or visual monitoring which may be recorded. Please contact your instructor with any questions. (Read more...)
Prerequisites
Although STAT 480 is designed for all students, students are expected to have knowledge at least at the elementary statistics level (e.g., STAT 200). Although the primary focus of this course is to learn how to use the SAS programming language to manage and manipulate data, the course also addresses the computation of some descriptive statistics. Note: Students who have not had prior experience with a computer programming language should expect to spend more time on this course than those who have had prior experience.