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Chris Callison-Burch and Hamed Hassani

Review the basics of discrete math and probability before enhancing your probability skills and learning how to interpret data with tools such as the central limit theorem, confidence intervals and more. Complete short weekly mathematical assignments.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Getting Started with Statistics for Data Science
In the first week of the course, we’ll introduce you to a broad definition of data science and go over some of its main building blocks. To prepare, we'll spend some time reviewing discrete math fundamentals. By the end of the week, we will solve our first data science task using random sampling.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides foundational knowledge of data science, making it suitable for learners who are new to the field
Enhances probability skills, addressing a critical aspect of data interpretation
Covers essential statistical concepts, including confidence intervals and hypothesis testing
Builds a solid foundation for learners interested in data analysis and machine learning
Instructors have extensive experience in the field, providing credibility and subject matter expertise

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Reviews summary

Foundational statistics for data science

According to students, "Statistics for Data Science Essentials" offers a strong foundational understanding of key statistical concepts. Learners praise the instructor's clear explanations, which effectively break down complex topics like the Central Limit Theorem and confidence intervals. The course is particularly well-paced for beginners, building concepts logically. However, a common sentiment is that the course maintains a highly theoretical focus, with some students wishing for more hands-on coding or practical applications. While the weekly assignments are useful for practice, some with prior knowledge found them too basic, suggesting a need for more challenging problems for varied audiences.
Provides essential statistical groundwork for data science.
"This course provided an excellent foundational understanding of statistics for data science."
"A solid introduction to the statistical concepts essential for anyone getting into data science."
"It set a strong theoretical groundwork."
"I took it as a refresher and found it incredibly valuable."
Instructor excels at simplifying complex statistical concepts.
"The instructor's explanations were incredibly clear, breaking down complex topics into digestible parts."
"The lectures were well-structured and easy to follow."
"Absolutely brilliant! this course made probability and statistical estimation so much clearer."
"The explanation of the Central Limit Theorem was the best I've encountered."
Assignments may be too basic for those with prior knowledge.
"The weekly assignments were good for practice but sometimes felt a bit too simple, I wished for more challenging problems."
"For someone with a minor in statistics, much of it felt like review. The assignments were too basic and didn't offer much challenge."
"The assignments were very theoretical, not much coding."
Emphasizes mathematical theory over practical coding.
"However, it's very theoretical. I was hoping for more practical examples using Python/R, but it's mainly math."
"My main feedback is that it felt a bit academic... The hands-on application seemed limited to simple math problems."
"I needed more examples and clearer connections to real data science problems. The assignments didn't feel practical enough."
"Don't expect coding tutorials, as it's focused on mathematical principles."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Statistics for Data Science Essentials with these activities:
Review Discrete Math Fundamentals
Strengthen your foundation in discrete math to enhance your understanding of probability.
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  • Review the concepts of set theory
  • Practice solving problems involving logic and proof techniques
Review combinatorics basics
Refresh your understanding of combinatorics to enhance your probability skills.
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  • Review the principles of counting
  • Solve practice problems on permutations and combinations
Discussion Forum on Statistical Estimation
Exchange ideas and learn from peers through discussions on statistical estimation.
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  • Participate in discussions on statistical estimation techniques
  • Share and critique approaches to reducing bias and variance
Five other activities
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Probability problem sets
Reinforce your understanding of probability concepts through regular problem-solving exercises.
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  • Solve problems involving probability distributions
  • Apply Bayes Theorem to solve conditional probability problems
Tutorial on Confidence Intervals
Deepen your understanding of confidence intervals by exploring tutorials and examples.
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  • Watch video tutorials on confidence intervals
  • Work through practice problems on calculating confidence intervals
Infographic on Probability Theorems
Solidify your understanding of probability theorems by creating a visually engaging infographic.
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  • Research different probability theorems
  • Design and create an infographic summarizing the theorems
Case Study: Interpreting Data
Develop your ability to interpret data by working through a real-world case study that applies statistical estimation and confidence intervals.
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  • Analyze a dataset
  • Apply the Central Limit Theorem
  • Construct confidence intervals
  • Draw conclusions from the data
Attend a Data Science Meetup
Expand your knowledge and connect with other data science professionals by attending industry meetups.
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  • Find a local data science meetup
  • Attend the event and engage with other attendees

Career center

Learners who complete Statistics for Data Science Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 42 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Statistics for Data Science Essentials.
This influential textbook presents a rigorous and accessible introduction to discrete mathematics, with a focus on applications in computer science. It covers topics such as counting, probability, and graph theory, and it is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.
This textbook provides a rigorous and comprehensive introduction to mathematics for computer science students. It covers topics such as logic, set theory, counting, and graph theory, with a focus on applications in computer science.
Provides a comprehensive overview of point estimation in data science. It covers the basic concepts and methods of point estimation, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of point estimation in political science. It covers the basic concepts and methods of point estimation, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
This comprehensive textbook covers both the theory and practice of confidence intervals in survey research, with updated content and new material reflecting recent developments in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of point estimation in environmental science. It covers the basic concepts and methods of point estimation, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of point estimation in machine learning. It covers the basic concepts and methods of point estimation, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
This classic textbook provides a comprehensive overview of discrete mathematics, covering topics such as logic, set theory, counting, and graph theory. It is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students, and it has been widely used in computer science, mathematics, and engineering programs.
Developed from popular Harvard lectures, this book provides an intuitive introduction to probability, focusing on understanding concepts through examples and applications. It is suitable for undergraduates and can be a good supplementary resource for those in data science and related fields. An updated edition was published in 2019.
This book, also by Sheldon Ross, focuses more on the applications of probability theory through the use of models. It covers stochastic processes and their applications in various fields, making it valuable for undergraduates and graduate students in applied areas. It common textbook in universities.
This comprehensive textbook offers a balanced approach to both probability and statistics, covering a wide range of topics suitable for undergraduate and graduate students. It is known for its clear explanations and extensive coverage.
Provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of probability and statistics, suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in statistics, machine learning, and related fields. It covers a wide range of topics efficiently.
Rigorous, measure-theory based introduction to probability theory, typically used for graduate-level courses. It delves deeply into the theoretical underpinnings of probability and is essential for those seeking a deep understanding. It widely cited and respected text in the field.
This textbook provides a concise and accessible introduction to discrete mathematics for computer science students. It covers topics such as logic, set theory, counting, and graph theory, with a focus on applications in computer science.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to both probability and random processes, covering a broad range of topics with numerous examples. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in mathematics, statistics, and engineering.
Uses a Bayesian perspective to explore confidence intervals and statistical inference, providing a different approach to understanding these concepts.
Presents a balanced and comprehensive treatment of both theoretical and practical aspects of statistical estimation and hypothesis testing. It covers topics such as the method of moments, maximum likelihood estimation, and Bayesian estimation. It is written in a clear and concise style and is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Provides a comprehensive treatment of the theory of statistics. It covers topics such as the method of moments, maximum likelihood estimation, and Bayesian estimation. It is written in a clear and concise style and is suitable for both graduate students and researchers.
This practical guide provides clear and concise instructions for constructing and interpreting confidence intervals in various statistical scenarios.
This comprehensive reference guide covers the design and analysis of confidence intervals in clinical trials, providing practical guidance for researchers in the medical field.
Is the most comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of confidence intervals for proportions and percentages.
Offers a focused introduction to probability theory with a strong emphasis on martingales. It well-regarded text for graduate students and researchers interested in this specific area.
A comprehensive and advanced textbook on probability theory, often used in graduate programs. It provides a thorough treatment of the subject, including stochastic processes.
This foundational work that established the axiomatic basis of modern probability theory. It classic and essential read for anyone delving deep into the theoretical underpinnings of probability, suitable for advanced students and researchers.
Provides a concise overview of statistical inference, including a chapter on the CLT. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and it provides numerous examples and exercises to help students understand the concepts.
Seminal work on the bootstrap method, a key resampling technique in modern statistics. It is valuable for graduate students and researchers interested in contemporary statistical methods and their probabilistic underpinnings.
Aims to make probability accessible and understandable through real-world examples and simulations. It is an excellent resource for beginners and those who want to build intuition about probabilistic concepts.
Provides a detailed discussion of the theory and methods of statistical estimation using empirical likelihood. It covers topics such as the method of moments, maximum likelihood estimation, and Bayesian estimation. It is written in a clear and concise style and is suitable for both graduate students and researchers.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to probability and random processes, including a chapter on the CLT. It is known for its clear and engaging writing style, and it provides numerous examples and exercises to help students understand the concepts.
Offers a very accessible and intuitive introduction to statistical concepts, including probability, for a general audience. It is excellent for high school students or those new to the subject who want to build a conceptual understanding without heavy mathematics.
Concise and accessible introduction to confidence intervals, covering both the theory and practical applications.
The second volume of Jaynes' work continues the exploration of probability with a focus on advanced topics and applications, maintaining the Bayesian perspective introduced in Volume 1.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to mathematical statistics, including a chapter on the CLT. It is known for its clear and concise writing style, and it provides numerous examples and exercises to help students understand the concepts.
Explores the application of probability and statistics in real-world prediction and forecasting across various domains. It good read for anyone interested in seeing how probabilistic thinking is used in practice, suitable for a broad audience.
Provides a more elementary introduction to probability theory, suitable for those with a less advanced mathematical background. It focuses on core concepts with clear explanations.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to data analysis, including a chapter on the CLT. It is known for its clear and engaging writing style, and it provides numerous examples and exercises to help students understand the concepts.
Provides a comprehensive handbook of statistical techniques, including a chapter on the CLT. It is known for its clear and concise writing style, and it provides numerous examples and exercises to help students understand the concepts.
Explores the concepts of statistical mechanics, which heavily rely on probability theory to explain the behavior of complex systems. It offers a different perspective on probability's applications in physics and other fields, suitable for advanced students and researchers with a physics or related background.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to statistics for the life sciences, including a chapter on the CLT. It is known for its clear and concise writing style, and it provides numerous examples and exercises to help students understand the concepts.

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