DATA C140
Probability for Data Science
An introduction to probability, emphasizing the combined use of mathematics and programming. Discrete and continuous families of distributions. Bounds and approximations. Transforms and convergence. Markov chains and Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Dependence, conditioning, Bayesian methods. Maximum likelihood, least squares prediction, the multivariate normal, and multiple regression. Random permutations, symmetry, and order statistics. Use of numerical computation, graphics, simulation, and computer algebra.
Topics
- Data/Stat C140 is a probability course for Data C8 graduates who have taken more mathematics and wish to go deeper into data science. The emphasis on simulation and the bootstrap in Data C8 gives students a concrete sense of randomness and sampling variability. Data/Stat C140 capitalizes on this, abstraction and computation complementing each other throughout. Topics in statistical theory are included to allow students to proceed to modeling and statistical learning classes without taking a further semester of mathematical statistics.
- Work with probability concepts algebraically, numerically, and graphically Use a variety of approaches to problem solving Understand the difference between math and simulation, and appreciate the power of both
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027