College of Business Coding Bootcamp
For Newly Admitted College of Business Graduate Students
Saturday, August 29, 2026 | Stony Brook Union Auditorium | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
This workshop is designed for beginners or those with basic coding experience looking to apply R, Python, and Excel for data analysis and modeling. Graduate students in the Master of Science in Business Analytics & Intelligence, Master of Science in Finance, MBA, and all other graduate programs are strongly encouraged to attend, though all graduate students interested in coding and modeling are welcome. Students are encouraged to attend sessions in both rooms in any order.
Please remember to bring a laptop that can connect to WiFi, along with either a power cord or portable charger.
| Limited seating: Registration is capped at 100 students due to room capacity. Reserve your spot early. |
Intro to Python + Excel
Session 1 (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM) - Prof. Andrew Xiao
Part 1: Python Introduction (40 mins)
Google Colab Setup and Access
First line of code: print()
Writing Conditional Logic: if-else statement
Loop function
Import and Exporting Data
Part 2: Excel Foundations (35 mins)
Setting up Excel: Excel 365
Useful functions/formulas
Essential Functions: Sum, Average, IF, VLookup, XLookup
12:00 – 1:30 PM: Luncheon and Faculty–Student Mixer
Sandwich lunch bags served with coffee, tea, and water
Intro to R + Excel
Session 2 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM) - Prof. Aaron Kim
Part 1: R Introduction (40 mins)
Setting Up R : CRAN, R-Studio, Posit Cloud
Basic Syntax: Data Types & Structure, Operations, If/Loop, Functions.
Useful Packages - quantmod, nloptr
Hands-on Exercise: Loading and exploring a dataset, Descriptive Statistics, Regression
analysis
Part 2: Excel Foundations (35 mins)
Setting up Excel (Excel 365)
Useful functions/formulas
Excel 1: Solver, Analysis Toolpak, Get & Transform Data (From CSV, Web)
Coding Bootcamp Instructors
Meet Our Expert Instructors
Our Coding Bootcamp instructors bring a wealth of expertise, providing hands-on learning experiences for students with basic coding knowledge. They will guide you through essential tools like R, Python, and Excel, helping you build a strong foundation in data analysis and modeling. With engaging exercises and practical examples, our instructors focus on developing your skills in areas like regression analysis, data manipulation, and problem-solving. You'll gain the confidence to apply your coding knowledge in real-world scenarios, preparing you for success in data-driven fields.
- Professor Aaron KimView Profile
Associate ProfessorFinance Management: Operations and Decision AnalyticsExpertiseFinancial Risk Management, Derivative Pricing & Hedging, Machine Learning & AI in Finance, Mathematical & Statistical Modeling, Computational Tools & Programming - Professor Andrew XiaoView Profile
Associate ProfessorFinance Management: Operations and Decision AnalyticsExpertiseBusiness Analytics, Data Mining & Knowledge Discovery, Urban Computing, Career & Labor Market Modeling, Asset Pricing & Economic Crises
Enhance Your Coding and Excel Skillset
Apply What You Learn Beyond the Workshop
Whether you're new to coding or building on basic experience, this workshop is designed to strengthen your ability to apply R, Python, and Excel for data analysis and modeling. You'll gain practical skills that can support your academic work and career goals. We encourage you to attend sessions in both rooms at random order, connect with faculty for guidance, and engage with peers who share your interest in coding and modeling.
