Show HN: An Open-Source Data Science Curriculum • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: An Open-Source Data Science Curriculum

#41

Post by the_watcher » Fri, Jan 17, 2014, 7:56 PM UTC

stillsut wrote: post #38

the_watcher wrote: post #30

It would be nice to have a clear list of assumed capabilities (for example, I am familiar with basic programming and have built a few websites, but I haven't taken a math class since senior year of high school, and don't think I remember enough about Calculus to do anything that assumes knowledge of it). Just a simple list of what level math, stats, and programming fluency this starts from would be great.

Data Science is still approachable through the "Edison"-style: only do as much math as your comfortable with, but keep probing discrepancies between different models. It's more debugging than architect-ing. Evidence: none of the top kaggle competitors is an academic/statistician to my knowledge.

I understand what you are saying, and I am not looking to become a mathematician or statistician. It has just been so long since I took a math class that before diving into any of these courses, I'd like to be aware of the minimal fluency expected.

Re: Show HN: An Open-Source Data Science Curriculum

#42

Post by blakerson » Fri, Jan 17, 2014, 8:30 PM UTC

craigching wrote: post #18

blakerson wrote: post #14

I'm biased as a non-technical analyst with an academic history, but I'm concerned that the curriculum doesn't meet the most basic needs. Quoting the section 'An Academic Shortfall': "Academic credentials are important but not necessary for high-quality data science. The core aptitudes – curiosity, intellectual agility, statistical fluency, research stamina, scientific rigor, skeptical nature – that distinguish the be…

It's an open source curriculum, so you could get involved and help mold it to meet what you see are its needs as a curriculum, no? I'm not sure what I think of it yet as a curriculum, but I am bookmarking it and plan to come back to it for more resources. Personally, I think it's an interesting idea and something I want to watch to see how it unfolds.

I'm happy to share what I learned, but sadly, everything I learned was in a classroom lecture, and the course isn't available online. There may be something on one of the major MOOC hubs, though. I'll keep an eye out.

Re: Show HN: An Open-Source Data Science Curriculum

#43

Post by afaqurk » Sun, Jan 19, 2014, 2:06 PM UTC

the_watcher wrote: post #32

afaqurk wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks! Any feedback would be welcome.

Is the best approach to just go straight down the list? Or should I do the first required course in each before moving on to the next?

You can do either. As long as you finish the Math and CS required courses first, the others do not require a specific sequence.

Re: Show HN: An Open-Source Data Science Curriculum

#44

Post by afaqurk » Sun, Jan 19, 2014, 2:06 PM UTC

the_watcher wrote: post #32

afaqurk wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks! Any feedback would be welcome.

Is the best approach to just go straight down the list? Or should I do the first required course in each before moving on to the next?

However, within each category, it is best to take the required courses (or feel confident with the topic) before taking the electives.