DATA 101: Introduction to Data Science

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

A. Prerequisites

A grade of C or better in MATH 117/MATH 117A, MATH 217, BSAD 210 or consent of department.

B. Course Description

Fundamental coursework on the standards and practices for collecting, organizing, managing, exploring, and using data. Topics include preparation, analysis, and visualization of data and creating analysis tools for larger data sets. Three hours each week.

C. Course Format

This course will use Blackboard. Information about Blackboard Technical Support can be found at https://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/distance/support/blackboard/. If you need technical assistance with College-supported IT resources, you can reach the Montgomery College IT Service Desk at 240-567-7222.

COMMON COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Identify and describe the methods and techniques commonly used in data science.

• Demonstrate proficiency with the methods and techniques for obtaining, organizing, exploring, and analyzing data.

• Recognize how data analysis, inferential statistics, modeling, machine learning, and statistical computing can be utilized in an integrated capacity.

• Create and modify customizable tools for data analysis and visualization per the evaluation of characteristics of the data and the nature of the analysis.

• Demonstrate the ability to clean and prepare data for analysis and assemble data from a variety of sources.

TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLIES

• An introduction to Data Science by Jeffrey Stanton

• The Elements of Data Analytic Style by Jeff Leek

• Exploratory Data Analysis with R, by Roger Peng

• OpenIntro Statistics, by Diez, Barr, and Centinkaya-Rundel

• R Programming for Data Science, by Roger Peng

• UC Irvine Machine Learning Repository https://archive.ics.uci.edu/ml/index.php

• Variety of consumer datasets https://www.kaggle.com/datasets

• World Bank https://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/

• US Government Data https://www.data.gov/

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Projects

B. Class Participation

0 points: You are off task/you are not participating in the activity.

1 point: You are on task/you are participating in the activity.

C. Homework (R Swirl, R Exercises, other HW)

D. Quizzes

**QUIZ GRADES ARE FINAL. THERE ARE NO RETAKES FOR QUIZZES.** 

If you miss a quiz for extenuating circumstances (illness, funeral, etc.) you must contact the instructor within 24 hours of the quiz. If you provide the instructor with appropriate documentation (for example, a doctor’s note) a make-up quiz may be scheduled. However, discretion to give a make-up quiz lies with the instructor. If you are late for a quiz, you will not receive any extra time. If class is cancelled on the day of a quiz, that quiz will be given in the next class period.

E. Final Project

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT/COLLEGEWIDE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Important Student Information Link: http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/mcsyllabus/

In addition to course requirements and objectives that are in this syllabus, Montgomery College has information on its web site (see link above) to assist you in having a successful experience both inside and outside of the classroom. It is important that you read and understand this information. The link above provides information and other resources to areas that pertain to Student Success such as: Student Behavior (Student Code of Conduct); Student e-mail, College Tobacco Free Policy; Course Withdrawal and Refund Information; Resources for Military Service Members, Veterans and Dependents; how to access information on delayed openings and closings; how to register for Montgomery College’s Alert System and how closings and delays can impact your classes. 

Finally, any student who may need accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Disability Support Services office on your campus as soon as possible (R-CB122; G-SA172; or TP/SS-ST233). If you have an accommodation letter from DSS, please contact me to discuss arrangements for your accommodations. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services Office; guidelines for emergency evacuations are at: https://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/EDU/Plain2.aspx?id=4162

** Any student auditing this course should meet with me before or during the first class session. You are still required to complete all course activities unless otherwise agreed upon.

** The Montgomery College e-mail account is the official means of communication between the instructor and the student. It is your responsibility to routinely check your MC e-mail for College and class information.

ADDITIONAL GENERAL INFORMATION

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus to provide the best educational experience for the student. Changes will be announced in class and updated in writing before they are implemented.

1. Generally, I will respond to emails within two business days.

2. If a time arises when I will be unable to respond to email within two business days, I will let the class know.

You can view your grades on the course Blackboard page under My Grades on the course menu. You can expect that course assignments will be graded and returned within 5 business days of the due date for that assignment.

1. Log in to MyMC.

2. Click on the Blackboard icon in the upper right-hand corner.

3. Click on the course title, “DATA 101”.

• A computer with Internet access.

• A web browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox.

1. Call the Support Center at 240-567-7222, or

2. Chat with a service representative, or

3. Submit a ticket.

Note: Click the My Support link at the top of the Blackboard Online Support Center screen to view a history of your correspondence with the Blackboard Support Center. 

System Downtime

Electronic communications do not guarantee privacy. In addition to the instructor, technical staff or administrative personnel may also access this course Blackboard page. Also, in order to respect students’ privacy, sharing personal information or posting photographs on Blackboard is voluntary, not required.

Accessibility