Data Science Learning Support by LA
I want you to get the most out of Math & Stat Center
At the Math & Stat Center, we provide learning support for students on data science through "Learning Assistants (LAs)." LAs are current students who have taken courses in the data science education program. This allows students to feel free to ask questions and receive advice that only real students can provide.
In this article, we asked three current LAs to talk about how to utilize LA, as well as the key points and appeal of learning data science.
Students participating in the roundtable discussion
・Kohei Horinouchi (1st year master's student at the Graduate School of Fundamental Science and Engineering)
・Taichi Abe (4th year School of Social Sciences)
・Morita Kazuki (4th year, Faculty of Law)
You can ask questions to the resident LA at any time.
-Please tell us about your work in LA.
Horinouchi: "Waseda University has LAs located in various facilities where students can ask questions and get advice. In the field of data science, LAs are stationed at the Math and Stat Center on the second floor of Building 3 on the Waseda Campus, and are available from 9:30 to 18:00, Monday through Saturday, during term times."
Abe: "If you make a reservation, we can also hold an online interview, so we recommend it for those who are at a campus far away, such as Tokorozawa. We also accept simple questions via chat."
Morita: "It depends on how busy it is, but often multiple LAs are available to support one person. The Math and Stat Center also has LAs in charge of mathematics and information, so depending on the question, we may refer you to another LA."
LAs providing learning support at the Math and Stat Center
Even if you don't know what to do, consult with LA.
What kinds of questions and inquiries can users ask?
Horinouchi: "Basically, it's up to you. Most users ask about things they didn't understand in class in the data science courses offered by the Global Education Center. For liberal arts students, who are in their fourth year and writing their graduation thesis, we often hear things like, 'I don't understand the meaning of the statistical data in this referenced paper,' or 'I want to know how to interpret this survey.'"
Abe: "Even if it's not a data science subject, we try to accommodate as many students as possible who want to use statistics and data in their undergraduate major."
Morita: "We also get a lot of questions about the data analysis environment. In class, we use a software development tool called 'Jupyter Notebook,' and at the beginning of the semester, students sometimes ask how to install it."
Abe: "In the data science education program, when you earn a certain number of credits, you can obtain certification under the Certification Program in Data Science to prove your ability, and we have received consultations about the content of the program and effective ways to obtain it. We also receive consultations about how to complete courses in line with your future career vision."
Abe, who belongs to the Waseda University Marketing Research Club, said he realized the importance of quantitative verification processes during a business contest.
Morita: "If you have no knowledge of data science at all and don't know where to start, we encourage you to come and talk to LA. We have a full understanding of the program, so we can provide guidance like, 'If you're in the humanities and aren't good at math, start with statistical literacy,' or 'There's a credit transfer system in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, so you don't need to take this course at the Global Education Center.'"
Horinouchi: "The data science courses offered by the Global Education Center are basically on-demand classes, so I think it is useful to have face-to-face consultations. Of course, we are students, so if there are any questions that require advanced knowledge, we will work with the professors in charge. LAs often give advice on "how to study" rather than "what to study." In any case, however small the questions may be, we would be happy to hear from you."
The "human"-based curriculum allowed me to learn intuitively.
How did you learn data science?
Abe: "Because I belong to a seminar that deals with statistics in School of Social Sciences, my seminar teacher recommended that I take data science courses offered by the Global Education Center. Because I had a basic knowledge of statistics, I took six or seven courses in one go over the spring and summer semesters, which was quite difficult (laughs). However, this meant that the system was certified earlier, so I recommend that anyone with a background in statistics and mathematics give it a try. In the future, I would like to become a data scientist, and rather than a technical job, I would like to master data science from a business perspective and solve problems."
Horinouchi: "I am researching mathematical models in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the Graduate School of Fundamental Science and Engineering. In my case, rather than practical data analysis methods, I am in the field of thinking about what kind of models to use to approach the characteristics of the data itself. I was interested in statistics, so I started taking data science courses in my third year of undergraduate studies."
Morita: "I belong to a seminar that studies administrative law at the Faculty of Law, and I am studying for the bar exam. My major is not one that directly uses data science, but when I thought about my long-term career, I thought that the unique qualities of 'data science x lawyer' would be something that I could offer. In fact, it was a selling point during my law school entrance interview."
Morita studied mathematics in a university-wide open course offered at the Global Education Center and became interested in data science.
--What are the key points for studying both your major and data science?
Morita: "There are many other minor subjects available, but the data science subjects are unique in that they are fully on-demand. This means they do not conflict with the timetable of the major, and you can study efficiently using your free time."
Abe: "Even if you go on to a liberal arts faculty, you will often have to deal with data in seminars and graduation theses, so if you're not good at math or statistics, I recommend taking the statistics and data science courses offered by the Global Education Center in your first or second year. I think you'll be able to deepen your understanding of what you learn later."
Horinouchi: "What's appealing about Waseda's data science education program is that all of the subjects are unified under the framework of 'quantifying the human decision-making process.' Unlike the general data science departments at other universities, I was able to learn about each problem from a broad perspective. The importance of data is increasing in various fields of science, so I think the perspective I have acquired will be useful."
Horinouchi was never good at math to begin with, but after entering university he relearned calculus and linear algebra, which meant he was slower to learn statistics than some liberal arts students.
Clarify the area you want to study and learn data science as a means to achieve it
--Please give a message to those who are considering enrolling in a data science education program.
Morita: "When I was in high school, I didn't understand anything about statistics or data-related words. In fact, I was intimidated by the wording. But when I actually studied in Waseda's Data Science Education Program, I found that data science is systematized from a broad perspective of human decision-making, making it easy to learn and safe for liberal arts students. LA also provides support, so try it out even if you have no knowledge at all."
Abe: "That's certainly true. When I was in high school, I thought of statistics as memorizing formulas. But in reality, it's a practical field that helps analyze consumer behavior in society and examine whether policies were correct. Even if you think, "I'm not good at math, so data science seems difficult...", I think it's a good idea to first think carefully about the area you want to study, and then learn statistics and data analysis as tools."
Horinouchi: "As the term 'data science' becomes more important in the world, many people worry that if they don't know about it, they'll be in big trouble. But once you actually start learning it, those worries will be dispelled. It's not something innovative or niche, but rather a field that anyone can understand by learning it step by step. Once you understand the basics, I think your comprehension of the news content and other classes will improve dramatically. I think Waseda's Data Science education is a good fit not only for those who want to acquire expertise, but also for those who want to take classes with the goal of increasing their literacy."
