Data Science - 685.648

This course will cover the core concepts and skills in the interdisciplinary field of data science. These include problem identification and communication, probability, statistical inference, visualization, extract/transform/load (ETL), exploratory data analysis (EDA), linear and logistic regression, model evaluation and various machine learning algorithms such as random forests, k-means clustering, and association rules. The course recognizes that although data science uses machine learning techniques, it is not synonymous with machine learning. The course emphasizes an understanding of both data (through the use of systems theory, probability, and simulation) and algorithms (through the use of synthetic and real data sets). The guiding principles throughout are communication and reproducibility. The course is geared towards giving students direct experience in solving the programming and analytical challenges associated with data science. The assignments weight conceptual (assessments) and practical (labs, problem sets) understanding equally. Prerequisite(s): A working knowledge of Python scripting and SQL is assumed as all assignments are completed in Python.