Data Science Option

The data science option is run by eScience. If you are in certain programs, like Psychology you can get an option that goes on your transcript.

This description of the option is designed for Psychology students. If you are in another program, please contact Ione Fine (ionefine@uw.edu).

The goal of the data science option is to provide an educational hub for training students in data science techniques in an integrated way across different departments. The UW Psychology program has approved both the Data Science Option and an Advanced Data Science Option.

FAQ:

What’s an option? Is it real thing?

Yes. The option is ‘accredited’ by the graduate school and goes on your official graduate transcript.

How does this work>

Decide if you are going for a data science option (DSO) or an advanced data science option (ASDO). 95% of psychology graduate students should choose the data science option. The ASDO is really for students who plan to develop new data science mining techniques. Unless you have really good programming and mathematical skills (e.g. an undergrad minor or major in CS) then you should take the DSO.

If you want to do the DSO you should email Ione Fine (ionefine@uw.edu) saying that you plan to do it and you should get your advisor to email her as well giving their permission for you to do the DSO.  Then look at the requirements (eScience Data Science Option website).

The department requirement for the data science option is the mandatory 2 semester psychology statistics course (PSYCH 524/525).

Depending on what other classes you take for the DSO, one of the two remaining data science options may count towards quant requirements. See FAQ below.

The full description of the Psychology department implementation of the data science program is here.

What if I think I want to do the Advanced data science option?

If you think you want to take the ASDO you should look really carefully at the course requirements (eScience Advanced Data Science Option website) and make an appointment with Ione Fine (ionefine@uw.edu).

What is the relationship between the ASDO and the DSO?

The ASDO classes meet DSO requirements but not vice versa. So if you don’t already have most of the DSO background then it would be much more sensible to think of it as a sequence. I’d look at these two courses (https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/cse546/17au/ and https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/cse544/15au/) and use that to guide your decision.

What’s the relationship between the DSO and the quant minor?

The quant minor is really focused on statistical/mathematical modelling, whereas the data science option is focused on machine learning, database management and software development.

The mathematical basis of ML is the point of intersection. Therefore most of the classes in the statistics and machine learning domain of the DSO will also count for credit for the quant requirement and the quant minor. Classes on the topics of software development, data management or data visualization will not count towards the quant minor. If you have questions about whether a class will count towards your quant minor please email Brian Flaherty (bxf4@u.washington.edu) and Ione Fine (ionefine@uw.edu)

All the classes I want to take are full!

Expect classes to be heavily subscribed. Register early. If you are really running into difficulties then email ionefine@uw.edu explaining which class you need to take.

How do I register for the eScience community seminar?

Oddly it’s this: eScience Community Seminar (CHEME 599F).

Which classes also count towards quant requirements?

The list below are classes that have been determined to also satisfy quant requirements. If class is not listed, then just email Brian Flaherty/Ione Fine – we expect to add to this list as time goes on!

DSO classes

  • Introduction to Machine learning: CSE416/STAT416
  • Nonparametric regression and classification (STAT 527)

ASDO classes

  1. Machine Learning: CSE 546 (4 credits)
  2. STAT 535 Statistical Learning: Modeling, Prediction, and Computing (3 credits).
  3. STAT 512-513 Statistical Inference (4 credits each).

Classes that would not count towards the ASDO and DSO include:

  • Psych548 Advances in Quantitative Psychology – Bayesian Statistics, Modeling & Reasoning
  • Neuro/PBio 545 Quantitative Methods in Neuroscience

Classes that we are still deciding about:

  • Psych509 “Core Concepts in Computational Models”