[gov3009-l] Fwd: Stat 221 - Statistical Computing and Visualization

Hi all, Prof Nesterko asked me to distribute the following course advertisement that may be of interest to you. -Konstantin ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Sergiy Nesterko &lt;serge.nesterko(a)gmail.com&gt; Date: 2013/1/22 Subject: Fwd: Stat 221 - Statistical Computing and Visualization To: Konstantin Kashin &lt;kvkashin(a)gmail.com&gt; Stat 221 is looking forward to meeting you! Stat 221 <http://theory.info/harvardstat221#> is a graduate-level class aimed to equip the PhD, Masters, and motivated undergraduate students with practical distributed computing and visualization tools for scientifically rigorous work on data-intensive problems. Here are the examples of interactive visualization<http://theory.info/harvardstat221#> that students will learn to create in class. Alphabetical list of class partners and collaborators: - Athena Health - Caesars Entertainment - Deloitte - Diffeo - Ebay - Harvard - Hubway/MAPC - IBM - KBA/DARPA - MIT - Nationwide - Risk Management Services - Sense - Siemens - Starbucks In this class, we will build a way of thinking about quantitative problems regardless of their seeming complexity. The class covers all stages of a data analysis problem: (1) setting up the problem, (2) designing a method to solve it, (3) implementing the related computation, (4) presenting the findings. We will uncover the components of each stage, demonstrate the interaction between all stages (1-4), and discuss their practical implementation. In the lectures, we will apply this way of thinking to computing algorithms, traditional statistical models, latest advances in statistical research, and case studies from industry. We will discuss how efficient programming enables problem solving for data analysts. We will showcase the recent advances in visualization and their connection to the statistical world. Problem sets guide students through practical computing problems, inviting to fill in missing parts of the code and highlighting the fundamental statistical questions along the way. There is also an interactive visualization component in each homework for extra credit. Final projects are based on data-driven problems in research and industry. Working on the final project, the students will go through all 4 stages of a data analysis problem. Course partners view final projects as high priority and look forward to the solutions generated by the students. Class work will be organized in teams, as its more fun to work on challenging problems with your friends. Independent work is also OK. Updated course syllabus is attached. Visit the course website<http://theory.info/harvardstat221> for more information. Search for Statistics 221 on my.harvard to register! Stat 221 -- Konstantin Kashin Ph.D. Student in Government Harvard University Mobile: 978-844-0538 E-mail: kkashin(a)fas.harvard.edu Site: http://www.konstantinkashin.com/<http://people.fas.harvard.edu/~kkashin/…