

What exactly is "data science" these days?
Mar 9, 2020
Matt Brems, Global lead data science instructor at General Assembly, dives into the ever-evolving world of data science. He clarifies its current definition and importance, while emphasizing the critical roles of foundational skills and practical problem-solving. Brems discusses the significant time spent on data cleaning and the necessity of adaptability in education. He also highlights diverse learning pathways for aspiring data scientists and addresses the ethical responsibilities in an age of rapid technological advancement.
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Data Science Definition
- Data science is using data to make better decisions.
- It's a union of math/stats, programming, and subject matter expertise, not just their intersection.
Fragmented Field
- The data science field has fragmented due to its rapid growth and varying needs.
- People enter with different skills and specializations, using tools from Excel to Python.
Data Cleaning Reality
- Data scientists spend approximately 80% of their time cleaning and exploring data.
- This is surprising to beginners who are more interested in AI/neural networks.