{"id":15185,"date":"2021-07-16T10:15:07","date_gmt":"2021-07-16T15:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medschool.prd.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/?page_id=15185"},"modified":"2023-05-24T13:47:25","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T18:47:25","slug":"data-science-essentials","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/data-science-essentials\/","title":{"rendered":"ASPIRE Module: Data Science Essentials"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Data-Sci-Essentials\"
\n\t\t\tHome
\n\t\t\tWhat is Data Science?
\n\t\t\tAbout the Module
\n\t\t\tTime Commitment
\n\t\t\tSyllabus
\n\t\t\tEarn a badge!
\n\t\t\tFAQ
\n\t\t\t\tHome<\/p>\n

This module is offered every year starting in the Fall<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The BRET Office of Career Development offers the ASPIRE module,\u00a0Data Science Essentials<\/em>, for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows from biomedical sciences who are interested in:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. learning what data science careers entail;<\/li>\n
  2. acquiring\u00a0introductory\u00a0technical competencies to break into the field of data science;<\/li>\n
  3. honing their communication skills, both to articulate their PhD-level strengths to employers and to convey technical information to non-technical audiences;<\/li>\n
  4. meeting data science professionals from a range of industries.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Up to 24 trainees will be selected to participate in this program, which is a partnership with the\u00a0Nashville Software School<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Read more<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0about the module as featured in the VUMC Reporter.<\/p>\n

    In 2019,\u00a0 the\u00a0Data Science Essentials module was awarded an Innovations in Research and Research Education Award<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0sponsored by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC).<\/p>\n

    This module was developed thanks to a\u00a0\u00a02018 Career Guidance for Trainees Award from the Burroughs\u00a0Wellcome\u00a0Fund\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>to Assistant Deans Ashley Brady and Kim Petrie, and Senior Associate Dean Kathy Gould.<\/p>\n

    \t\t\t\tWhat is Data Science?<\/p>\n

    With companies generating more and more data each year, there is a growing demand for individuals who can\u00a0mine and interpret these data to drive growth and innovation.\u00a0At the end of 2017,\u00a0LinkedIn identified the \u201cData Scientist\u201d job title<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0as the second largest growth category on their platform, and a\u00a0report from labor market analytics firm Burning Glass<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0projects that\u00a0the need for qualified data scientists will increase for\u00a0the\u00a0foreseeable\u00a0future.<\/p>\n

    It is not surprising that data scientists are in short supply. Data science requires a unique blend\u00a0of talents, including mathematical reasoning skills, technical skills in programming and visualization, domain expertise, and business competencies.<\/p>\n

    The ASPIRE module in Data Science Essentials will provide a foundation in the programming and data analytics tools employed by data scientists, training in communication skills, and case studies in data science presented by professionals from a variety of industries. This is a program for biomedical scientists, developed in collaboration with the\u00a0Nashville\u00a0 Software School<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>with a grant from the\u00a0Burroughs Wellcome Fund<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    \t\t\t\tAbout the Module<\/p>\n

    The ASPIRE module in Data Science Essentials consists of three sections that will take place in person from August to March. Selected participants are expected to participate fully in all three sections. (Please note: this is\u00a0not<\/u>\u00a0a credit-bearing course.) See the\u00a0FAQ<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for specific eligibility\u00a0requirements.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    <\/th>\nIntroduction to Data Science*<\/th>\nCommunication & Networking<\/th>\nData Science Case Session\/Site Visit<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Instructors\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nNashville Software School\/ Michael Holloway<\/td>\nBRET Office of Career Development\/ Ashley Brady<\/td>\nData Science Professionals from Local Companies<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Timing<\/strong><\/td>\nAugust to October 2022<\/td>\nDecember 2022 to February 2023<\/td>\n\u00a0One day in March 2023, TBD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The\u00a0Introduction to Data Science<\/strong>\u00a0section will focus on fundamentals of programming and data analytics. This section will be taught by the Nashville Software School,\u00a0a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to expand the technology workforce in middle Tennessee through hands-on training programs and mentorship.\u00a0Participants will learn data science tools and approaches and use open-source programming and data visualization software to complete a data science project.<\/p>\n

    *Prior to the first day of class, participants will complete a 4-hour online course from DataCamp<\/a>.\u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

    The\u00a0Communication & Networking<\/strong>\u00a0section\u00a0will be led by Dr. Ashley Brady and the BRET Office of Career Development. Communication skills are a key component of success in a data science career. Data science professionals need to be able to distill complex information into actionable takeaways for decision-makers or customers. In this section, participants will learn fundamental communication skills, as well as learn strategies for conveying their professional accomplishments to prospective employers.<\/p>\n

    In the third section of the module, The Data Science Case Session\/Site Visit<\/strong>, participants will spend a day site visiting two data science companies in the Nashville area where they will hear from professional data scientists\u00a0about\u00a0projects they have completed for their company. Presenters will describe\u00a0the data science approaches they use and the impact of their work on their company and industry. They will share a snapshot of their workday and provide advice for pursuing a similar career path. Most Case Session presenters will be alumni of VU PhD or postdoctoral programs in the biomedical sciences who have successfully transitioned to a career in data science.<\/p>\n

    \t\t\t\tTime Commitment<\/p>\n

    This module\u00a0is designed to provide an efficient introduction to data science concepts and tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Section<\/strong><\/td>\n# of Class Sessions<\/strong><\/td>\n\n

    In-class time,\u00a0per week<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		Out of class time, per week (estimated)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Introduction to Data Science<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n2 hours<\/td>\n2-4 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Communication & Networking<\/td>\n9<\/td>\n1.5 hours<\/td>\n0-1 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Case Session\/Site Visit<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nFull Day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The ASPIRE Program is awarding badges through\u00a0Badgr<\/a>\u00a0to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who fully complete any of our ASPIRE modules.\u00a0Participants who finish this module will receive a “Data Science Essentials” pathway badge that can be added to your social media pages for employers to view the criteria for this accomplishment. Learn more in the “Earn a badge!” tab on this page and our Badgr FAQs page.<\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

    Attendance Policy<\/h2>\n

    Because the course is a limited enrollment opportunity, course\u00a0participants need to attend\u00a0all sessions and participate\u00a0fully. Participants should discuss time away from the lab with their research advisor\u00a0in advance<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0of the course. Anticipated absences, such as for scientific conferences, should be discussed\u00a0with the course director.<\/p>\n

    \t\t\t\tSyllabus<\/p>\n

    This module has three sections:\u00a0<\/strong>Introduction to Data Science,\u00a0Communication & Networking, and Data Science Case Session\/Site Visit.<\/p>\n

    Questions about the syllabus? Contact the course director, Dr. Ashley Brady, or Assistant Director, Angela Zito.<\/p>\n

    \n

    INTRODUCTION TO DATA SCIENCE\u00a0(AUGUST 24-OCTOBER 26, 2022)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    During this section taught by Michael Holloway of the Nashville Software School, trainees will complete a data science project using publicly available datasets and open-source programming and data visualization tools. All sessions will meet in-person on Wednesdays from 9:00-11:00 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
    Date<\/th>Topic\/Activities<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    prior to August 24<\/td>On your own, complete a free online short course from DataCamp. Estimated time to complete: 4 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    8\/24<\/td>Data Science Pre-test (9:00-9:30)
    \nData Science as a Career , Charreau Bell, PhD, Senior Data Scientist, Data Science Institute, Vanderbilt University<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    8\/31<\/td>Optional pre-Week 1 Session; Session for individuals with no previous programming or coding experience
    \nIntroductory orientation to Python, Jupyter Notebooks, and git.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    9\/7<\/td>What is Data Science?<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    9\/14<\/td>Annotation and Reproducibility<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    9\/21<\/td>Exploratory Data Analysis<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    9\/28<\/td>Conda Environments and Working with Geospatial Data<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    10\/5<\/td>Introduction to Machine Learning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    10\/12<\/td>Formulating a Hypothesis about the Data<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    10\/19<\/td>Communicating the Results<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    10\/26<\/td>Presentation of Project Insights<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

    Communication & Networking Section (November 30, 2022-February 22, 2023)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    This section will be taught by Dr. Ashley Brady and the BRET Office of Career Development. All sessions will meet in-person on Wednesdays from 9:00-10:30 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
    Date<\/th>Topics\/Activities<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    11\/30<\/td>Introduction to the section\/ StrengthsFinder 2.0 (Co-led with Kate Stuart)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    12\/7<\/td>Making Linkedin Work For You <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    1\/4<\/td>Marketing for Scientists and Implementing Effective Networking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    1\/11<\/td>Meeting New People and the Art of the Follow-up<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    1\/18<\/td>Crafting a Compelling Elevator Pitch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    1\/25<\/td>Delivery of Elevator Pitches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2\/1<\/td>Story MasonTM<\/sup>: The Art of Job Talk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2\/8 & 2\/15<\/td>No meetings:<\/strong> Over the course of this 2 weeks, participants will take part in a real-world exercise in networking- attend a relevant networking event or meet-up (TBD) along with Dr. Brady, or conduct an informational interview- where the tools and strategies learned in the module can be put into practice.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2\/22<\/td>Post-event debriefing and strategies for follow-up<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

    Data Science Case Session\/Site Visit (spring 2023)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Participants will spend a day site visiting two data science companies in the Nashville area where they will hear from professional data scientists. Presenters will describe\u00a0the data science approaches they use and the impact of their work on their company and industry. They will share a snapshot of their workday and provide advice for pursuing a similar career path.\u00a0 \u00a0Site visit date will be announced in the new year.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Attendance policy<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

    Please review the time commitment and attendance policy carefully to ensure this opportunity is a good fit for you and your other obligations.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \t\t\t\tEarn a badge!<\/p>\n

    ASPIRE is awarding micro-credentials through Badgr! See the\u00a0webpage<\/a>\u00a0for more details.<\/h2>\n
    \n

    EARNING CRITERIA<\/h2>\n

    Recipients must complete the earning criteria to earn the Data Science Essentials ASPIRE Pathway Badge<\/a>:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \u201cIntroduction to Data Science\u201d badge:\n
        \n
      1. Complete a 4-hour online course from DataCamp prior to the first session.<\/li>\n
      2. Learn about the field of data science and career options for data scientists.<\/li>\n
      3. Learn to use Python and Jupyter Notebooks to conduct a data science project using publicly available data sets.<\/li>\n
      4. Share work and store projects in GitHub repositories.<\/li>\n
      5. Work in teams to conduct a data science project. While completing the project, participants will define and refine their question of interest, clean data, conduct exploratory data analysis, explore data visualization and annotating methods, and analyze data.<\/li>\n
      6. Demonstrate data storytelling through project presentation to peers and provide feedback to peers on their project presentations.<\/li>\n
      7. Attend all sessions with no unexcused absences.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
      8. \u201cCommunication and Networking for Data Science\u201d badge OR “Networking Pacing<\/a>” badge. The criteria for the\u00a0\u201cCommunication and Networking for Data Science\u201d is:\n
          \n
        1. Complete the Gallup StrengthsFinder assessment to learn about personal strengths (or bring results from a previous assessment to class).<\/li>\n
        2. Develop and practice an elevator pitch.<\/li>\n
        3. Create or refine a LinkedIn profile.<\/li>\n
        4. Create and deliver an elevator pitch and provide feedback to peers about their elevator pitches.<\/li>\n
        5. Attend a Meet-Up or other Networking Event with a local Data Science Group, or conduct an informational interview with a data scientist, to practice networking skills with local data scientists.<\/li>\n
        6. Discuss networking experience and learn strategies to follow-up with newly acquired contacts.<\/li>\n
        7. Conduct background research about at least one of the individuals and companies presenting a case session for the Data Science Case Sessions module.<\/li>\n
        8. Write a 1-page summary of the individual\/company to share with the group.<\/li>\n
        9. Attend all sessions with no unexcused absences.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
        10. “Data Science Case Sessions” badge:\n
            \n
          1. Attend at least 50% of the Case Sessions and actively participate in discussions with presenters.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            *Participants can earn each individual badge through the process of the module. Those that complete all of the above criteria will receive the\u00a0Data Science Essentials ASPIRE Pathway Badge<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \t\t\t\tFAQ<\/p>\n

            \n
            \n
            \n