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Bootcamp Overview and Schedule

Recordings

Review the full overview below for detailed information on the Bootcamp. These links are here for quick reference.

What is the CSE 6040 Data Analysis in Python Bootcamp?

Info

Participation in this bootcamp is not required for this course. The bootcamp exists to assist students who have less experience with Python, scientific computing, or the mathematic prerequisites. However, we recommend all students complete the Bootcamp Self Assessment Notebook to evaluate whether the bootcamp might be helpful.

We strongly encourage all students who are unable to complete the assessment in the allotted time to consider attending/watching these sessions.

The bootcamp provides additional instructional materials designed to help students with limited Python/programming exposure gain deeper understanding of the concepts and methods on which they will be tested in the three exams in this course.

The purpose and objectives are presented in more detail in the course introduction.

When are the live sessions? Are they recorded?

The live sessions are recorded.

Exactly how to access the sessions/recordings is different across the sections in this course. Please allow 24 hours for us to post the recordings, although we will try to post them earlier.

You can find the details specific to your section in the Bootcamp thread on Piazza:

Where are the materials?

The accompanying code materials are hosted on Google Colab.

See the Colab Guide for more guidance on using that tool.

The short version is (1) it's basically a Jupyter notebook and (2) you have to save your work externally (i.e. download it or link it to your Google Drive).

Links to the accompanying Colab Notebooks are in the Bootcamp Schedule HackMD page page.

Any new materials will be published in the Bootcamp thread on Piazza.

Should I Attend the Bootcamp Sessions?

We have put together a self assessment Jupyter Notebook for students to determine their skill level with the topics tested in Midterm 1, in a format similar to the exam.

This notebook is completely optional and will not affect your final grade in the course in any way.

Success

We encourage students to go through the self assessment notebook and determine for themselves if the bootcamp would be helpful for them in the course.

There is a (suggested) time limit, but you can take as long as you need to solve the exercises.

As part of your self-assessment, we hope that you include the time it takes you to complete the notebook into consideration, as the exams will be timed.

  • If you complete the notebook within the allotted time:
    • You are probably in a good place to continue without the additional bootcamp materials.
  • If you complete the notebook but exceed the allotted time:
    • You may benefit from selections of the bootcamp materials related to topics on which you struggled.
    • Many students have succeeded in the course with limited programming and Python backgrounds. Don't panic, but realize that you may need to put in some extra time.
  • If you were unable to complete the notebook:
    • We strongly recommend that you attend (or watch the recordings of) all the bootcamp sessions.
    • It is very likely that you will need to spend additional time getting up to speed on Python and programming prerequisites in order to succeed in this course.

Tips for Success

  • Be realistic, create a study plan, and stick to it. There is a lot of content in the Bootcamp and a lot of other stuff going on in your life. Be realistica about the time you can commit and figure out the optimal amount/type of content to consume. If you need help, make a Piazza post with some details and the TAs would be happy to give you advice. Almost all TAs were former students and we all came from a wide variety of backgrounds, so trust us, we've been there.
  • Skim the notebook before live sessions and pretend you might get called on at any second to answer a question (you won't!). Simply watching the video will not be as powerful as actively engaging with it. If you're unable to pay attention at that time slot, you may be better off watching the recording when you have time to dedicate your full attention to it.
  • Front-load your study and preparation. The bootcamp schedule is already posted and all of the topics are listed there. Before each topic, review the materials and begin studying so you can determine how much time you need to learn the material. Some things may click fast, some may not, that's totally normal. In business terms, this strategy may be referred to as "de-risking", meaning you put in work at the beginning until it's no longer a "risk" (which in this case, would be a topic that is harder than you thought, or maybe is simply different than you thought). You need to jump into the material quickly at the start, then your study plan after should be smooth..