Data Science (DATA)
DATA 125 SURVEY OF DATA SCIENCE (4 credits)
Introduction to emerging field of data science. Topics include necessary math and statistics principles, introduction to computer tools and software for data analytics, overview of algorithms.
Typically offered: Fall Semester, Annually
(QUANTITATIVE REASONING)
DATA 135 FAIRNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY IN DATA SCI (4 credits)
Discussion and readings of ethical issues in data science including how data is collected andused in decision-making, and how algorithms are impacting peoples lives. Major themes will include issues of fairness, bias, privacy, and transparency.
Typically offered: Spring Semester, Even Years
(ULTIMATE QUESTIONS)
DATA 225 INTRODUCTION TO VISUALIZATIONS (4 credits)
Creating data visualizations using Excel, R, and Python. Discussions of different types of visual aids. Methods to improve common ineffective visualizations.
DATA 299 SPECIAL TOPICS IN DATA SCIENCE: SPORTS ANALYTICS (4 credits)
This course aims to help students develop analytic methods for measuring and predicting player and team performance in competitive sports, as well as methods to inform decision-making and strategy in sports. Perhaps more importantly, this course aims to teach students how to think about the issues, not what to think. The analytic methods we teach in this course, taught through the lens of sports, will be useful in any field in which data is gathered to better understand some process. The main sports discussed in the course will be baseball and football, though other sports, including basketball, soccer, golf, and hockey, will be discussed in class. Students are welcome to pursue any sport in more detail (e.g., tennis, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, track and field, cricket, rugby, chess, auto racing, Australian rules football, skiing, etc.) in a term project. Because of the data driven nature of part of the class discussions, students should bring their laptops to each class.
Typically offered: Spring Semester, As Needed
DATA 445 MACHINE LEARNING (4 credits)
Basic theory and practice of machine learning algorithms. Topics include regression, classification, supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, and other statistical modeling tools. Includes programming projects and in-class labs.
Prerequisites: DATA 125, MATH 250, MATH 140 or 340, COMP 260.
Typically offered: Spring Semester, Annually
(QUANTITATIVE REASONING)
DATA 485 SENIOR SEMINAR (3 credits)
Department capstone course. Examination of the nature of mathematics and its role within liberal arts. Focus on reading current mathematics, writing survey article, and presenting results. (Listed as DATA 485 and MATH 485)
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
DATA 488 DATA SCIENCE CONSULTING (3 credits)
Applied data science in team setting, project based. Training in data science consulting; assisting in collaboration with faculty and/or clients on pre-determined projects.