Course syllabus

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DAT405: Introduction to Data Science and AI, lp1 HT20 (7.5 hp)

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Course organisation

The course is divided into three parts:

  • Part I: Introduction to data science (3 weeks)
  • Part II: Statistical methods in data science and AI (2 weeks)
  • Part III: Introduction to AI (3 weeks)

Each part is in turn divided into weekly modules, with weekly assignments. The assignments are performed in student pairs, and the deadline for each assignment is Monday at noon (12:00) the following week.

Week Topic
1 Introduction to Data Science. Getting started with Python
2 Regression and classification
3 Clustering
4 Baysian statistics and graphical models
5 Markov models, kernel methods and decision trees
6 Introduction to AI and its ethics
7 Machine learning and neural networks
8 Rule-based AI

 

Schedule

TimeEdit

Zoom links to each session can be found under Home.

 

Teachers

Examiner: Marina Axelson-Fisk (marinaa@chalmers.se)

Lecturer part I: Graham Kemp  (kemp@chalmers.se), Computer Science and Engineering
Lecturer part II: Marina Axelson-Fisk (marinaa@chalmers.se), Mathematical Sciences
Lecturer part III: Ashkan Panahi (ashkanp@chalmers.se), Computer Science and Engineering

Teaching assistant: Emilio Jorge (emilio.jorge@chalmers.se), Computer Science and Engineering
Teaching assistant: Adam Breitholtz (adambre@chalmers.se), Computer Science and Engineering

 

Course literature

The course has no mandatory textbooks, but the following books are recommended for consultation. The page for each module contains links to lecture slides and other supplementary material, including some links to video material.

Data Science

  • S.S. Skiena, The Data Science Design Manual, Springer, 2017. The Ebook (Links to an external site.) is available for free from the Chalmers library from within the Chalmers network:

Python

Statistical methods for data science and AI

 

Changes made since the last occasion

No substantial changes in content. The main difference from the last course occasion is that the course is given online.

 

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
 Knowledge and understanding
  • describe fundamental types of problems and main approaches in data science and AI
  • give examples of data science and AI applications from different contexts 
  • give examples of how stochastic models and machine learning (ML) are applied in data science and AI
  • explain basic concepts in classical AI, and the relationship between logical and data driven, ML-based approaches within AI.
  • briefly explain the historical development of AI, what is possible today and discuss possible future development.
Skills and abilities
  • use appropriate programming libraries and techniques to implement basic transformations, visualizations and analyses of example data 
  • identify appropriate types of analysis problems for some concrete data science applications 
  • implement some types of stochastic models and apply them in data science and AI applications
  • implement and/or use AI-tools for search, planning and problem solving
  • apply simple machine learning methods implemented in a standard library
Judgement and approach
  • justify which type of statistical method is applicable for the most common types of experiments in data science applications 
  • discuss advantages and drawbacks of different types of approaches and models within data science and AI.
  • reflect on inherent limitations of data science methods and how the misuse of statistical techniques can lead to dubious conclusions 
  • critically analyze and discuss data science and AI applications with respect to ethics, privacy and societal impact
  • show a reflective attitude in all learning

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen: study plan.

Assignments

The examination is through weekly assignments, executed in student pairs. If  some people are in groups of their own we might join them together. If you have trouble finding a partner to do the assignments with, ...

Deadline for each week's assignment can be found in the assignment tab. You will have approximately 1 week from the last lecture on the topic until the deadline. 

Examination form

There will be 8 assignments.

Grading will be based on a qualitative assessment of each assignment. It is important to:

  • Present clear arguments
  • Present the results in a pedagogical way
    • Should it be table/plot? What kind of plot? Is everything clear and easy to understand?
  • Show understanding of the topics
  • Give correct solutions.
  • Make sure that the code is well commented.
    • Important parts of the code should be included in the running text and the full code uploaded to Canvas.

To obtain grade 3 or higher you must pass all the assignments.

The final grade is based on an overall assessment at the end of the course.

Course summary:

Date Details Due