Policies

Prerequisites

CP 101 reserves seats for CED majors, as well as others from around campus (e.g., Data Science majors); others can enroll with the permission of the instructor. No prior statistics coursework is assumed. This class provides a foundation to pursue further undergraduate data science courses at UC-Berkeley. For Urban Studies CP 101 satisfies one of the four additional City Planning courses for Upper Division Urban Studies Core. For the City Planning minor, CP 101 satisfies one of the four additional City Planning courses for Upper Division courses under List 1. For SED, CP 101 can count as an Upper Division outside SED major for Fall 2016 admits and later.

Course Requirements

All computer assignments will involve the use of data and software available online, through campus IT, or through the DCRP Computer Lab. We will be holding labs in a CED computer lab - lab computers use Windows’ operating system. You may use your personal computer in lab, if you’d like. We’ll be teaching labs for both PC and Mac users. If you are unfamiliar with either Windows or DCRP’s computer lab and want to use lab computers, you are encouraged to take advantage of the CED’s library services (​Environmental Design Library Website​) or consult with course instructors during office hours.

Students will be expected to have a working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite - specifically Excel, PowerPoint, and Word - for this course. Students are welcome to explore the use of free, open software interfaces, such as the R language for statistical computing, the RStudio software package; and the QGIS project​; however, please check with the graduate student instructor before using any alternative software. Labs will be offered to introduce students to Excel, American FactFinder & Social Explorer, Carto, WordPress, and Python programming.

Grading & Assignments and Reading

Students will be expected to read a number of articles/chapters/etc. prior to lecture and lab sessions. For ten sessions, students are asked to submit response questions online on our class bCourse site. We will randomly call on students in each class. Students will also be expected to attend and actively participate in class and lab.

They will take two in-class midterm quizzes and one lab midterm; complete three group projects; and have the option of a final presentation. Grades will be assigned as follows:

Activity Grade
Assignment 1 (Neighborhood Profile) 15%
Assignment 2 (Story Map) 15%
Assignment 3 (Final Project) 25%
Midterm Quiz #1 10%
Midterm Quiz #2 10%
Lab Midterm 10%
Reading Response Questions 10%
Class Participation 5%
Extra Credit: Final Presentation 5 points

Reading Responses

Students are expected to respond to ten different sets of class readings by submitting at least three questions that demonstrate a high level of awareness and react critically to concepts and analyses presented by the readings and could be used to prompt an in-class discussion. Each question should respond to a different reading unless fewer than three readings are assigned. Only the class sessions marked with a * are available for questions; these are the sessions with more theoretical or critical readings, rather than technical texts. During each class, the instructor will randomly select one or more of the questions to read and discuss during the lecture. Questions should be posted by midnight the day before class to the bCourses discussion thread for the lecture (e.g., February 24 for February 25 class).

Assignments

All assignments will be conducted by groups of two students (though students may petition the instructor to expand the group to three). Groups will be assigned randomly by the instructors, who will match students from technical or STEM majors with environmental, social science, or humanities majors (to the extent possible). In the first two assignments (Neighborhood Profile and Story Map), students will explore the phenomenon of neighborhood change through in-depth analysis of census and economic data, as well as story-mapping. The Neighborhood Profile will be a Word document of 8-10 pages (1.5 spaces), plus appendices. The Story Map will consist of an interactive online map, with significant explanatory text.

For the third assignment, students will explore a research question of their own choosing, using big data and/or open data portals, as well as analysis and visualization techniques learned in class. Students may select their own partners for this project, with up to three students per group. This deliverable should include either an online project or a narrative of 15-20 pages (1.5 spaces), including references in proper format. Students will submit a one-page description of their research question and approach in the beginning of April and work closely with the instructors to develop a methodological approach. The semester will culminate with short (5-7 minute) presentations of Assignment 3 (during reading week); this presentation is optional and will be for extra credit.

Please check CalCentral to make sure you know when and where your lab is.

For the third assignment, students will explore a research question of their own choosing, using big data and/or open data portals, as well as analysis and visualization techniques learned in class. This deliverable should include both an online project and a narrative of 15-20 pages (1.5 spaces), including references in proper format. Students will submit a one-page description of their research question and approach in the beginning of April and work closely with the instructors to develop a methodological approach. The semester will culminate with short (8-10 minute) presentations of Assignment 3 (during reading week); this presentation is optional and will be for extra credit.

Exam

There will be a short midterm quiz held during the second module to assess student learning of course topics; a midterm lab held after the second module focusing on analytic techniques taught in the first two months of class; and a second midterm quiz held during the third module. The quizzes will consist primarily of definitions and short answers based on the class readings and lectures. The in-lab midterm will be based on the lab exercises and assignments.

Attendance and Participation

Students are expected to attend every class lecture. In addition to attending, students are expected to actively contribute to class discussions and ask questions. Participation will be evaluated by instructors based on a combination of attendance, and observed engagement and participation.

There are ten computer labs (plus two optional labs and one midterm lab). Students are expected to attend six of these labs (of their choice). Instructors will take attendance at the lab and lab attendance will be part of the final grade.

Course Materials

CP 101 has one required books and one optional book. There is no course reader. All readings that are not part of the required book will be posted to the CP 101 bCourses. This the Course Readings page for more details and for other resources related to the course.

Statement on Academic Integrity

Any test, paper or report submitted by you and that bears your name is presumed to be your own original work that has not previously been submitted for credit in another course. You may use words or ideas written by other individuals in publications, websites, or other sources, but only with proper attribution​. If you are not clear about the expectations for completing an assignment or taking an exam, be sure to ask a course instructor.

You should also keep in mind that as a member of the campus community, you are expected to demonstrate integrity in all of your academic work and be evaluated on your own merits. The consequences of cheating and academic misconduct — including a formal discipline record and possible loss of future opportunities — are not worth the risks.

Statement on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you have been issued a letter of accommodation from the ​Disabled Students Program (DSP)​, please see the course lead instructor as soon as possible to work out the necessary arrangements. If you need an accommodation and have not yet seen a Disability Specialist at the DSP, please do so as soon as possible.

If you would need any assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation of the building, the DSP recommends that you make a plan for this in advance. (Contact the DSP access specialist at 643-6456.)

Statement on Scheduling Conflicts

Please notify course instructors by the second week of the term about any known or potential extracurricular conflicts (such as religious observances, graduate or medical school interviews, or team activities). We will try our best to help you with making accommodations, but cannot promise them in all cases.