The Data Science Project Course (DSP) is a year-long exploratory course where students can engage in a data-focused health project of their design. The course connects students with experienced mentors and template projects to provide guidance on what constitutes a well-defined data analysis project and how to get started.
The goal of the project is not necessarily for students to gain deep expertise in software development or fundamental data science theory, but to develop the skills to think critically, lead, and communicate issues relating to data analysis and complete a well-polished technique report that is in the same format as a medical journal paper. By engaging in a meaningful data project, students are expected to become familiar with the process and infrastructure required to run a health data science effort, and gain a more acute sense of how data initiatives can be built and deployed. The projects will give students a strong basis for understanding the jargon, costs, limitations, possibilities, and frustrations one might experience trying to build a novel data driven project in healthcare. Student will gain experience with asking and answering critical questions about data analysis. We believe these types of experiences and skillsets will help set students apart and give them a stronger foundation to understand the complexities of an increasingly data-driven healthcare system.