Your Course
Data Circle
The Data Circle is an advanced program designed for those with Python and data analytics skills who want to deepen their expertise through hands-on, team-based projects. Over 14 weeks, you'll work collaboratively on one comprehensive data project for the entire semester, using agile methodologies and professional data science workflows. This course offers a realistic experience of how data projects are developed in industry settings.
Key Course Information
Duration: 14 weeks (March 10 - June 19, 2025)
Schedule: Twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays, 19:00-21:00)
Format: Online with optional on-site activities
Time commitment: Approximately 15 hours per week (including sessions and independent work)
Learning approach: Project Work in Teams
Projects: You can choose between 2-3 project ideas that the teachers are proposing
Course Structure
This course follows a project-based learning approach where you'll work in teams on a single, comprehensive data project throughout the semester:
Project Setup (2 weeks) - Tools configuration, development environment setup, agile/scrum process overview
Agile Sprints (week 3 until week 13) - Three-week sprints
Final Presentation - Present your team's complete project on Demo Day
The Data Circle is not a lecture-based course but rather a guided project experience. You'll be assigned to a team and work on specific aspects of the project based on your interests and prior knowledge, which could include data analytics, visualization, or machine learning components.
Project Examples
Previous Data Circle projects have included:
Project Proposals: Salary Analysis & Predictor, Twitter Election Analysis
Project Presentations: Previous Projects Fall 2024
Project Ideas
You can select between two or three project ideas from the teachers. We are currently setting up the project proposals. The ideas are set up so you can achieve them within the semester.
You won't be able to bring your own project. Why? We want to ensure the project is feasible, the data is accessible, and the project can be conducted in a group work. Let us know if you have any questions about this policy.
Weekly Structure
Each week consists of two key session types:
Monday - Project Session (19:00-21:00)
Begin with general standups and team updates in the main room
Break into smaller groups to work on specific project components
Guides provide support, feedback, and direction
Wednesday - Project Session (19:00-21:00)
Continue project work in teams
Share progress updates and overcome challenges
Implement feedback and refine deliverables
Between sessions: You'll work independently on your assigned project tasks, spending approximately 10-12 hours per week on development and self-study.
On-site Activities
Depending on your location, you'll have different opportunities to participate in on-site activities:
We offer four on-site community events for the Berlin students throughout the semester.
What You'll Achieve
By the end of this course, you will:
Have built your data project for your portfolio
Understand how to approach complex data problems from start to finish
Develop stronger communication and teamwork skills
Gain experience in agile methodologies and sprint planning
Have practical experience to discuss in job interviews
Graduation Requirements
To successfully graduate from the course, you'll need to:
Attend at least 80% of the sessions (we have a camera-on policy)
Actively contribute to your team project
Participate in the final project presentation
Are you ready to build a real-world data project and enhance your data science skills through collaboration? Let's begin by reviewing how we work together on the next page!
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