Lecture 1: Introduction

(Last updated: Jan 23, 2026)

This lecture introduces the course structure and presents examples to show the potential social impact of data science.

Preparation

Read the course syllabus.

Lecture

Below are the slides:

• Slides for Lecture 1-1: Course Introduction and Organization
• Slides for Lecture 1-2: Social Impact of Data Science

Additional Resources

Below is a paper that shows an example of a data science pipeline.

• Smell Pittsburgh

The paper below studies various data science pipelines at different scale, which can give you a good understanding of common data science practices:

• The Art and Practice of Data Science Pipelines

This paper explans how AI and data science can be used for creating social impact.

• Empowering Local Communities Using Artificial Intelligence