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SYSC 340U: Big Data and the Modern World
“Big Data” has become a frequently used and often misunderstood buzzword. For some, big data is a magic bullet that will solve all of our societal problems, and provide new vistas for scientific inquiry. For others it is Big Brother by another name. No one can deny that we are prolific producers and consumers of data. We have become reliant on algorithms to help us navigate an increasingly complex world. This course will pry open the black box and provide an overview of the big data phenomenon, and discuss the role of data and algorithms in modern society.
Objectives
To provide a conceptual overview of Data Science and the “Big Data” phenomenon. Upon completion students will be able to discuss the following questions:
What is big data and how do we learn from it?
What are the implications of big data for the models and analytical methods that we employ?
How does data influence the way we understand and interact with the world?
What are the applications of big data across many domains including health, commerce and business, media, politics, civic applications, economic/financial, and criminal justice?
What is the promise of big data and how much is just hype?
What are some limitations and inherent biases of big data?
What are the ethical dimensions of the application of algorithms to various areas of life?