Fundamentals of Data Science: Prediction, Inference, Causality

This course is about understanding "small data": these are datasets that allow interaction, visualization, exploration, and analysis on a local machine. The material provides an introduction to applied data analysis, with an emphasis on providing a conceptual framework for thinking about data from both statistical and machine learning perspectives. Topics will be drawn from the following list, depending on time constraints and class interest: approaches to data analysis: statistics (frequentist, Bayesian) and machine learning; binary classification; regression; bootstrapping; causal inference and experimental design; multiple hypothesis testing. Class lectures will be supplemented by data-driven problem sets and a project. Prerequisites: CME 100 or MATH 51; 120, 220 or STATS 116; experience with R at the level of CME/STATS 195 or equivalent.