Course Overview
Data science is one of the fastest emerging fields used in machine learning and AI and is instrumental in developing probable occurrences. The course introduces students to fundamentals about data methods for organizing, managing, curating, preserving, and using data.
Students will explore key concepts related to data science, including applied statistics, information visualization, text mining and machine learning using “R”, an open source analytical and visualization system. This tool is considered most popular choice among data analysts worldwide; having knowledge and skill with using it is considered a valuable and marketable job skill for most data scientists.
All students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to request a Syracuse University noncredit transcript.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, students will be able to understand:
- Essential concepts and characteristics of data
- The purpose of scripting for data management using R and R-Studio
Principles and practices in data screening, cleaning, linking, and visualizations - The importance of clear communication of results to decision-makers
- Identify a problem and the data needed for addressing the problem
- Perform basic computational scripting using R and other programs
- Transform data through processing, linking, aggregation, summarization, and searching
Course Information
Course Prefix and Number: SCN 088
Format: Online
Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior status – or a 2023 high school graduate.
Credit: Noncredit
Grading: Pass/Fail
Cost: $1,985
Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.
Program Information
Summer College – Online: Explore college life before stepping foot on campus! High school students can enroll in a college-level course, pursue their academic interests, and meet like-minded students in daily virtual events and activities.
Hopping onto the computer every day for six weeks for the Syracuse University Summer College felt nothing like the virtual school I had been waking up for during the previous school year. Time passed in a blink of an eye as I figured out how to manipulate data to tell stories of their importance and correlation with real-world events.”
— Nicholas C., Summer College – Online Student, 2021.
Course Dates and Details
| Program | Course Dates | Synchronous Class Time (Eastern Time) | Credit/Noncredit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer College – Online | 3-Week Session II: Monday, July 24 – Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 | MTWTh; 6-8 p.m. | Noncredit | Closed |
Course Requirements
Technology Requirements
- Laptop or desktop computer with a webcam
- Hard drive pace to download R. We will be downloading this application for this class
- Reliable internet access
- A space conducive to taking an online class (without distractions)
- Zoom downloaded (Syracuse University provides a Zoom account to all pre-college students)
- Microsoft Teams: This course will require you to use your Syracuse University provided Google and Microsoft and Google Accounts. Both accounts are based on your NetId. Your Google account is netid@g.syr.edu and your Microsoft Account is netid@syr.edu . We will use Microsoft Teams for communications, questions, and general asynchronous discussion between students about homework and projects. You will receive an invitation to the join these forums.
Required Supplies
Students should budget for required textbooks and supplies. A supply and textbook list will be sent to students before the start of the program.
Typical Day
Tentative Schedule
Plan on reserving mornings for asynchronous coursework, which will include readings, videos and sometimes assignments and projects. All course materials will be available on Blackboard at the beginning of class so you can jump ahead as needed.
Students will be required to attend an afternoon live session class via videoconferencing for the three weeks, Monday – Thursday from 6-8 p.m. ET.
Each day will begin with a review of previous topics followed by discussion about new topics based on content given to complete before class. In a typical day you will be given the opportunity to practice new techniques before applying to assignments. This will be done as follows:
- Coding Labs: You will be learning basic concepts through this guided tutorial.
- Homework Assignment: Based on concepts discussed in the lab you will be given the opportunity to practice what you have learned by applying through a series of practical challenges
When class is over, and on weekends, students can look forward to various Summer College virtual activities to meet and connect with other students across the world. Check out our Virtual Campus Experience page for more! information!
Virtual End Event
On the final day of class, students will have their final project presentations which will be conducted in the virtual classroom. Parents are invited to attend.
Faculty Bios
Angela Usha Ramnarine-Rieks, Ph.D.
Angela Usha Ramnarine-Rieks teaches data and content management, programming and other information science courses at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. As a researcher, she has a keen interest in understanding the implications in the adoption and adaptation of new technologies within organizations. Ramnarine-Rieks is currently part of a research team exploring the socio-technical impacts of the smart grid phenomenon in the energy industry. Exposure to this domain began with postdoctoral work with the smart grid research team at Syracuse University. Her other research track explores integrating computational thinking into literacy. Yes, that means she supports the premise that all should learn to code.