Data Science Principles

This course will provide students with an overview of the field of data science and its responsible uses, along with an introduction to programming in Python from a data science perspective. An emphasis will be placed on solving problems and applying data science principles to real-world datasets. Topics will include variables, data structures, control structures, functions, exploratory data analysis, data manipulation, and data visualization, as well as an introduction to descriptive statistics and machine learning. Students will engage through readings and in class discussions on topics such as applications of data science for the common good, privacy in a digitally connected world, issues of representation and omission in data collection, biases inherent in constructing information infrastructures and classification schemes, and the impact of algorithmic decision-making.