Offering Data Science Coursework to Non-Computing Majors

Xumin Liu, Erik Golen, Rajendra K. Raj, Kimberly Fluet

Abstract: Data science courses offered by computing departments tend to be inappropriate for non-computing majors due to the emphasis on coding and a long chain of prerequisite courses in computer science and mathematics or statistics. Moreover, courses designed for computing majors by computing faculty do not always match the backgrounds and interests of students majoring in other disciplines. This paper discusses the motivation and challenges of offering an entry-level data science course for students in non-computing disciplines with limited coding experience. Experiences with the teaching of this course at the Rochester Institute of Technology are discussed. Preliminary assessment results have shown this approach to be useful.