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.

Materials

• 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