ISMG 2050: Business Problem Solving Tools teaching
Fall 2026 — CU Denver Business School, Adjunct Instructor Franklin Diaz
- bitsmasher.net/teaching/ISMG-2050
This course equips students with the technology and analytical skills necessary to succeed in academics and the business world. Using Microsoft Excel and Tableau, or other similar business software, students learn to make data-driven decisions, analyze business scenarios, and communicate insights effectively. Coursework emphasizes applied problem-solving across disciplines including statistics, accounting, finance, marketing, management, and information systems.
Mandatory Coursera Certification: All students must complete the "Data for Business Analysts using Microsoft Excel" certificate (5 modules, ~20 hours). See the even-week sync schedule below.
Coursera Sync Schedule
| Sync Week | Coursera Module | Syllabus Module |
|---|---|---|
| (Aug 24–30) | M1: Excel Fundamentals | Mod 1: Worksheet & Chart |
| (Sep 7–13) | M2: Formulas & Functions | Mod 2: Formulas, Functions |
| (Sep 21–27) | M3: Data Preparation | Mod 3: Large Worksheets |
| (Oct 5–11) | M4: Working with Pivots | Mod 4: Financial Functions |
| (Oct 19–25) | M5: Final Assessment Prep | Mod 5: Multiple Worksheets |
| (Nov 2–8) | M5 Quiz (90min) + Course Midterm | Mod 6+7: Tables & Power Query |
Quick Access
Course Logistics
Monday & Wednesday, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM MDT
CU Denver Business School Building, Room 2501
Term: Fall 2026 (08/24/2026 – 12/12/2026)
Module 1 Practice & Homework Deliverables
Access directions, starter data, and submission guidelines for the first two weekly practice exercises:
Practice 1: Worksheet Mechanics & Dynamic Charting
Practice 2: Functions, AutoFill, & Sheet Management
- 📄 Practice 2 Directions & Guide
- 📌 Requires your saved file from Practice 1 (submit as
[initials]Practice02.xlsx.
Practice 3: Navigation, Document Properties & Page Setup
- 📄 Practice 3 Directions & Guide
- 📌 Requires your saved file from Practice 2 (submit as
[initials]Practice03.xlsx.
Comprehensive Project: Animal Life Donations
- 📄 Animal Life Project Directions
- 📌 Build from blank workbook (submit as
[initials] AnimalLife.xlsx.
Module 2 Practice & Homework Deliverables
Flash Fill, math operators, conditional formatting, data import, and page setup. Six practice exercises plus two comprehensive projects.
Practice 4: Flash Fill and Cell Referencing
Practice 5: Math Operators and Conditional Formatting
Practice 6: Customer Tracking with Data Import
Practice 7: Page Setup and Multi-Sheet Print Optimization
Comprehensive Project: College Cost Calculator
- 📄 Project Directions & Guide
- 📌 Build from blank workbook (submit as
[initials]CollegeCost.xlsx)
Comprehensive Project: Cost Analysis Report
- 📄 Project Directions & Guide
- 📊 Starter: starter_data_wk3.xlsx
- 📌 Submit as
[initials]CostAnalysis.xlsx