Part One

INTRODUCTION TO DATA SCIENCE

Welcome to the foundational journey into the world of Data Science, a key driver of innovation and strategic decision-making in the digital age. This section is designed to demystify the field of data science, offering a comprehensive overview that paves the way for beginners and refreshes the knowledge of seasoned individuals.

 

Data Science combines statistical analysis, data visualisation, and machine learning to extract meaningful insights from complex datasets. It empowers organisations to make data-driven decisions, optimise operations, and predict future trends. In this introductory module, we'll explore the core concepts and tools that form the backbone of data science, setting the stage for more advanced topics and practical applications in artificial intelligence.

 

You will learn about the data science lifecycle, from data collection and cleaning to analysis and interpretation. We'll introduce essential statistical methods, programming skills, and the art of visualising data effectively. By the end of this section, you'll have a solid understanding of what data science entails and the vast opportunities it offers across various industries.

 

Whether you're aiming to transition into a data science career, enhance your current skill set, or simply gain a better understanding of how data can be used to inform decisions, this introduction will provide the knowledge and confidence to take your next steps in the data science landscape.

Timetable

Start your Part One learning

ZOOM CLASSROOM LINKS

Zoom (A)

Topic: Welcome meeting and Introduction to the programme
Attendance: Required
Time: Mar 06, 2024 3:00pm (IST) 9:30am (GMT)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://durhamuniversity.zoom.us/j/97433097763?pwd=SkhpVkFUWFFCNEpiMTBWT0o4RTdKZz09
Meeting ID: 974 3309 7763
Passcode: ------

Welcome session slides: SCOUT Programme Welcome Day (PDF 1.41mb)

 

Zoom (B)

Topic: Workshop 1: Data science
Attendance: Required
Time: Mar 07, 2024 3:00pm (IST) 9:30am (GMT)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://durhamuniversity.zoom.us/j/93582722661?pwd=NC8xQklYQnJLUG8yc0dRdzRUZ3U1dz09
Meeting ID: 935 8272 2661
Passcode: ------

Supporting documents (Word or PDF version required): Workshop 1 - Data Science Worksheet Word (42.3kb) | PDF (111kb)

Workshop slides now available: Workshop 1 Data Science Dr Ridgway (PDF 2.06mb)

Workshop 1 video recording: Workshop 1 Data Science (Passcode required for access)

 

Zoom (C)

Topic: Optional support drop-in session
Attendance: Optional
Time: Mar 08, 2024 6:00pm (IST) 12:30pm (GMT)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://durhamuniversity.zoom.us/j/91965155549?pwd=U2JpSlNkUG1pU1ZQSUg0c0FRSlYvZz09
Meeting ID: 919 6515 5549
Passcode: ------

Evaluation guidance: Evaluation Guidance Week One (PDF 548kb)

 

Zoom (D)

Topic: Workshop 2: Data Science
Attendance: Required
Time: Mar 11, 2024 3:00pm (IST) 9:30am (GMT)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://durhamuniversity.zoom.us/j/94159359247?pwd=SXU2dy9zYVl6clVPVVBPZzJkMXU4Zz09
Meeting ID: 941 5935 9247
Passcode: ------

Workshop 2 video recording: Workshop 2 Data Science