Discussion: Preparation/Prerequisites

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Data Science Education Community of Practice

APS DSECOP Workshop

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June 23, 2022

Prerequisites

Below are the topics that any of the DSECOP modules will assume. Each module could have additional prerequisites besides the ones mentioned below:

• Base python - variables/functions/loops/data structures
• Core functionalities of Numpy, Pandas, and Matplotlib
• Knowledge of using Google Colab
• Basics of working with git and Github
• Elementary statistics knowledge

Is there anything else that should be included?

Faculty prerequisites

• What prerequisites should an instructor have to use a module?
• Should we have background reading?

Preparation

• Group 1 - How do you ensure all your students are at the same level of technical proficiency when the first class starts?
• Group 2 - What kind of pre-work do you give to your students? And how do you enforce it?
• Group 3 - What type of materials are good choices to ask the students to review before each class?
• Group 4 - What kind of statistical knowledge do you expect your students to have before taking your course?

bit.ly/DSECOP-prep

Preparation - Group 1

• How do you ensure all your students are at the same level of technical proficiency when the first class starts?
• Prerequisite courses
• If modules are placed in the typical physics curriculum, typical physics prerequisites will follow
• Bootcamps for coding
• Concerns: costs, resources. Who will run these bootcamps? Who pays them?
• Will students take them if it is not for credit, but not free?
• Group work
• Learn from each other

Preparation - Group 2

• What kind of pre-work do you give to your students? And how do you enforce it?
• Install software needed to use in class
• Linear algebra background, open source
• Basic concepts of programming (Python), open source
• Basic statistics, open source
• Say “Course experience will be greatly enhanced”

Preparation - Group 3

• What type of materials are good choices to ask the students to review before each class?
• 5-6 minute videos
• Prep quiz paired with this
• Including reflection questions on students’ own learning
• Readings, if textbook
• Articles
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Preparation - Group 4

• What kind of statistical knowledge do you expect your students to have before taking your course?
• Math proficiency:
• Calculus (multi variate)
• Linear algebra (vector spaces)
• Introductory prob stats-> Currently lacking, not an official prereq
• Make calculus prereqs
• Could be coupled with scientific coding
• Question: Separate stats course or weave it into other classes?

Other thoughts?