CS 108 - Data Science Foundations

Credits: 5
Hands-on introduction to data science for everyone, no previous experience is required. Students learn how to collect, compute, analyze, and visualize data to better understand the world we live in. Through class discussions, computer programs, and written reflections students will also take ethical, social, and legal issues surrounding data analysis into consideration.

Prerequisite: Eligible for MATH 097  or higher; and eligible for ENGL& 101 ; or instructor’s permission.

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

1. Create a computational artifact using computing tools and techniques to solve a problem.
2. Collaborate in the creation of computational artifacts or when writing a program.
3. Develop an abstraction when writing a program or creating computational artifacts.
4. Find patterns and test hypotheses about digitally processed information to gain insight and knowledge.
5. Explain the insight and knowledge gained from digitally processed data by using appropriate visualizations, notations, and precise language.
6. Extract information from data to explain connections or trends using statistical inference and/or the use of simulation-based inference methods.

7. Manage, clean, summarize and visualize simple data sets.

1. Use appropriate reasoning to evaluate problems, make decisions, and formulate solutions.
2. Give reasons for conclusions, assumptions, beliefs, and hypotheses.
3. Evaluate and interpret quantitative and symbolic reasoning information/data.
4. Implement calculator/computer technology to solve problems.

• Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
• Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning - Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate in today’s technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and extends to problem solving.