MESA 8411 Programming for Data Science

This class will introduce essential programming concepts, data structures, and techniques focusing on data science applications. Students will learn what it means to write high-quality code. Additionally, topics such as testing, debugging, and exception handling will be taught. By the end of the course, students will have reviewed Python programming and be able to apply their knowledge to various data science problems. Topics include functions, recursion, loops, list comprehensions, elementary data structures, and reading and writing files. Completion of Python Programming Bootcamp strongly encouraged (contact gsehdonlineprograms@bc.edu to request access).

Course overview

Department
Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment
School
Lynch
Credits
3
Level
Graduate
Offered
Annually

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.63 / 5 · Excellent
16 responses
Instructor rating
4.75 / 5 · Excellent
16 responses
Terms evaluated
1
Most recent: Spring 2026

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Spring 2026Devan Walton4.64.84.74.94.44.84.83.97–9 hrs/week16 of 21

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Devan Walton
    Fall 2026, Spring 2026 · Official rating 4.75/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Devan Walton · M 07:00PM-08:30PM · Offered