INSY 4970: Analytics and Visualization of Big Data

Hello everyone,

If you are planning to take the final, please note the following: The final exam is comprised of 7 questions for a total of 105 points (i.e. you can make 105 out of 80 points in the final). In my opinion, the final has a good balance of questions between high-level understanding of data mining and specific questions on concepts that we discussed since Spring Break. Below, I provide some additional detail regarding the final:

Points Allocation:
1- PageRank theory and calculations --> 25 points
2- Social Network Analysis and Betweenness --> 25 points
3- Machine Learning --> (15+ points)
4- Case Study regarding a data mining application --> (25 points)
5- Bonus Question --> (10 points)

Note that the case study is not based on a certain chapter/module. It aims to assess your ability to critically analyze and dissect applications of data mining. The bonus question should be considered as a wild-card as well.

Exam Difficulty: If you have a good understanding of what we have been doing since Spring break, you should easily score an 80. The case study regarding the data mining application will require some thinking; however, the idea behind it is very simple.

Exam time:

The exam is for 120 minutes.

Things to bring: A calculator (the exam is NOT computationally intensive).

Best of luck,
Fadel

Hello everyone,

Please find the grades of the class so far. Note the following:
1- The project grades are included only if we discussed the project or if you have sent me a paper.
2- For graduate students at Auburn (this does not apply to Distance graduate students), your grade will not be inputted if you do not submit a paper (assuming you did the project).
3- As usual, if I missed something, please let me know.
4- We would greatly appreciate if you submit HW 06 and provide as much feedback as possible through the evaluations since this will be used in further improving the course.

Final Information will be posted tomorrow evening on Piazza.

I am really happy with the overall performance of the class. Thank you for your contributions for the learning environment through thoughtful questions, intriguing blog posts and tutorials and feedback through Piazza. It was a pleasure working with everybody this semester!!
Best,
Fadel

Hello everyone,

This is our second to last announcement via piazza. We would like to share with you the following information:

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday. It is basically the end of the semester but there is an option for one additional assignment. This would be homework #6. Given that this is the first year for the class; we are always looking for feedback. View this as an opportunity to give feedback and better the education for future students.

HW 06:

Deliver a PowerPoint (minimum of 12 slides, 1^st being an intro and last being a references page) that discusses a topic that you wish you learned more about or had learned. Make this PowerPoint presentation ready.

*Things to include: TED talks… Have your name on each slide…Figures should have references indicated below each… Show equations where needed. There is nothing wrong with having a slide adapted from another source as long as you put the appropriate citations.

REMEMBER TO CITE!

Deadline for submission: Thursday, May 2^nd at Midnight (23:59pm CT)


Project Meetings:

We have seen great presentations and can’t wait for tomorrow! We would like to meet with you to discuss your presentations. Please sign up for a time below to secure a time spot (one per group). Therefore please look and see if your group has signed in. Distance students, we can schedule a phone in meeting.

http://doodle.com/6bwf5cxkawf379qi


*It is very important that meet as we can discuss your grades.

Course Evaluation:

Please take the time to fill the course evaluations. Any comments you will provide will be instrumental in updating the course for Spring 15. Therefore, please provide us with feedback with what worked and what needs improvement (topics, course structure, piazza, blog, project structure, TAs, teaching style, course materials, etc.).


Finals:

Sometime on Sunday we will send you an email about what to expect. It will not be comprehensive.

Hello all,

I have across this excellent blog (http://annanagurney.blogspot.com/2013/04/tips-on-how-to-get-academic-job-at.html) for tips on how to get an academic job.

Enjoy,
Fadel

Hello everyone,

I thought this article about Twitter and Job Hunting is interesting. Please check it out: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424127887323820304578412741852687994-lMyQjAxMTAzMDAwOTEwNDkyWj.html

Fadel