New Resource to Provide Starter Kit for Teaching Data Science

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 09/23/19

The University of Pennsylvania, IBM and the Linux Foundation are developing an open source starter kit to help any institution in the world launch its own data science program.

According to a blog post by Ana Echeverri, who works in IBM's data science business, the curriculum kit will consist of "a set of open source building blocks" that will help instructors teach the basic concepts of data science for both undergraduate and graduate programs. The coding is based on Python and open source tools and frameworks. The curriculum will include slides, documentation, code and data sets that can be adopted and used as-is or modified by anyone.

The timing is apt. Interest in data science is at an all-time high, coming in at the top of the list in Glass Door's latest "Best Jobs in America" ranking for the fourth year in a row. Likewise, in a recent report on salaries, recruitment firm Harnham said that data science jobs on the East Coast of the United States have grown at a rate of 273 percent year over year, and the West Coast has seen growth of 174 percent. "The data and analytics market is showing no signs of slowing, and a lack of high-level candidates means there are huge opportunities for those working in this space," said Harnham Partner Sam Jones in a statement.

The joint curriculum project is currently in development. Launch is expected to take place early in 2020. Those interested in learning more can sign up to be kept informed on the IBM website.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • two abstract humanoid figures made of interconnected lines and polygons, glowing slightly against a dark gradient background

    Microsoft Introduces Copilot Chat Agents for Education

    Microsoft recently announced Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, a new pay-as-you-go offering that adds AI agents to its existing free chat tool for Microsoft 365 education customers.

  • computer screen displaying a landline phone being unplugged from a single cord, with a modern office desk, keyboard, and subtle lighting in the background

    Microsoft to Discontinue Skype Services

    Microsoft has announced that it is shutting down service for its Skype telecommunications and video calling services on May 5, 2025.

  • From Fire TV to Signage Stick: University of Utah's Digital Signage Evolution

    Jake Sorensen, who oversees sponsorship and advertising and Student Media in Auxiliary Business Development at the University of Utah, has navigated the digital signage landscape for nearly 15 years. He was managing hundreds of devices on campus that were incompatible with digital signage requirements and needed a solution that was reliable and lowered labor costs. The Amazon Signage Stick, specifically engineered for digital signage applications, gave him the stability and design functionality the University of Utah needed, along with the assurance of long-term support.

  • Two professionals, one male and one female, discuss AI regulations in a modern office with holographic displays showing legal documents, balance scales, and neural network symbols.

    Congressional Task Force Releases Recommendations for AI Governance

    The bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence recently released its recommendations to bolster American leadership in AI.