On the internet everything you click on, like, add to your cart, post, upload, and even pause to look at for a few seconds is logged in a database that is distributed in giant warehouses all over the world. Companies larger than many sovereign nations are meticulously collecting all of this data about you. Why would they do this?
Concurrently, more and more of our interactions are with automated computational systems. We can already use artificial intelligence to drive and park a car, write a news article, and create nearly undetectable fake videos of celebrities speaking about anything we like. How is this possible?
The answer to both of these questions is statistics.
This is a high-school/college-level statistics class that will consist of two parts. The first part of the course will cover the traditional topics of displaying and describing data, the normal distribution, regression, probability, statistical inference, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests. In the second part we will examine how machine learning and artificial intelligence compare to statistical inference. We will examine both supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms and discuss the buzz behind deep neural networks. The programming language R will be introduced to create visualizations and carry out data analysis.
The only prerequisites for the course are a strong grasp of algebra (I and II), intellectual curiosity, and personal discipline. A computer with an internet connection will be required for utilizing online resources and the free software R and RStudio. The textbook for the course will be OpenIntro Statistics (4th Edition), available both online and in print. Students will also choose a book from a provided list of popular titles related to the subject matter to read throughout the year.
**NOTE: This class has the option for dual enrollment. When enrolling, participants will be asked to select whether or not they would like to take this course for college credit. If taking the course for credit, a fee will be charged to offset the costs associated with accreditation, though we estimate these fees at near a third the cost to take the course independently. Additional assignments may be required of those opting to take it for college credit and traditional numeric grades will be given. College credit will be through Tompkins Cortland Community College for MATH200. This also fulfills the SUNY General Education Mathematics requirement.**
Instructor: Nicholas LaVigne
Instructor Bio: My background is in applied mathematics, which I studied at SUNY Geneseo and Cornell University. I currently develop content for online courses in data science, statistics, and computer programming at eCornell. My personal interests are in homesteading, meditation, and our rapidly changing technological world.
Required Materials: pencil; notebook and folder or looseleaf notebook; laptop computer for in-class use*
Additional Materials Fee: $175 for those desiring college credit
*If you do not have access to a laptop that could be used during class, please notify the TEEN DAY Administrator when you enroll in classes to reserve a loaner machine for class time.
TEEN DAY Ithaca 