course_model

Course Notes for Data Modeling in Python

Nathan Garrett, PhD CPA

Department of Accounting and Information Systems

West Virginia University

This course introduces students to data analysis and modeling using Python programming language. Students will learn how to clean, analyze, visualize, and model data using popular Python libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Scikit-learn. The course covers essential concepts in data science, including exploratory data analysis, statistical inference, regression analysis, and machine learning techniques.

Each week covers Python and Machine Learning concepts. Most modules have a deliverable that is due Monday night at 11:59pm.

Schedule

Week 1 - January 12, 2026

• py00: Set up your computer
• ml01: Introduction to modeling (with gems dataset)

Week 2 - January 19, 2026

• DataCamp: Introduction to Python
• py01: Python basic syntax
• py02: Python data structures
• ml02: Data and distributions

Week 3 - January 26, 2026

• DataCamp: Data manipulation with pandas
• py03: Pandas 1: load data from a file, filtering
• ml03: Predicting categories

Week 4 - February 2, 2026

• py04: Pandas 2: new columns with mutation
• ml04: Predicting numbers

Week 5 - February 9, 2026

• Datacamp: Introduction to DataVis with Seaborn
• py05: Visualization with Seaborn
• Structuring a Report

Exam 1

Week 6 - February 16, 2026

• Datacamp: Regression in Python
• ml05: Classical Regression with OLS

Week 7 - February 23, 2026

• ml06: Regression 2, Logistic regression and data transformations

Week 8 - March 2, 2026

• DataCamp: Machine learning with Tree-based models in Python
• py06-pandas-group-join/index.md: Pandas 3: aggregation, joins
• ml07: Decision Trees

Exam 2

Week 9 - March 9, 2026

• DataCamp: Unsupervised learning in Python
• ml08: K-Means Clustering
• py07-pandas-reshaping/index.md: Pandas 4: reshaping

Week 10 - March 16, 2026

Spring Break - No activities

Week 11 - March 23, 2026

• ml09: PCA and dimensionality reduction
• Good presentations

Week 12 - March 30, 2026

• Datacamp: Intermediate Python
• py09: Control flow
• py10: Functions

Exam 3

Week 13 - April 6, 2026

Datacamp: NLP in Python

• ml10-nlp: NLP with Python
• Optional readings:
  • Primer on NLP Embeddings reading

Week 14 - April 13, 2026

• ml11-nn/index.md: Neural Networks with Python

Week 15 - April 20, 2026

Project week - No new material

Week 16 - April 27, 2026

• Model fairness

Project, Exam 4

Week 17 - May 4, 2026

Final Exam Week, May 4-8

Further Reading

• Data8
• Whirlwind Tour of Python
• Python Data Science Handbook