SAS Base Programming

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• key computer programming concepts for managing and analysing ‘big data’;
• the SAS Base language and how it is used to manage, analyse and report data.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• read structured and unstructured data stored in popular formats such as excel worksheets, text tables into SAS;
• manipulate, analyse, visualize and report data using SAS.
• store data in SAS libraries;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• use your analytic skills in problem solving;
• communicate technical ideas to non-specialist managers.

The topics covered in this module will include:

• Overview of SAS: Submitting SAS programs, Working with SAS syntax and SAS libraries
• Introduction to reading data and adding attributes: Reading Excel worksheets, Reading delimited raw data files
• Manipulating data in SAS: Combining SAS Datasets, Producing Summary Reports, Enhancing Reports using Global statements and using ODS, Outputting to multiple datasets or observations
• Reading Raw Data Files with input controls: Data Transformations-manipulating character and numeric values, Debugging Techniques- putlog and debug
• Processing Data Iteratively- Do loops and Arrays, Restructuring a Data Set with rotate and transpose, Analysing relationships among variables: proc corr, regression and logistic

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Interactive case studies
• Computer labs
• Directed reading
• Private/guided study

Learning activities include:

• Introductory lectures
• 2 assignments (individual written coursework)
• Case study
• In class debate and discussion
• Private study
• Use of video and online materials

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

In-class activities

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Formative assessment and feedback will arise from class activities and computer lab sessions.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.