Study Abroad Experience in Statistics and Data Science

Catalog description

Statistics and Data Science at the Monteverde Institute in Costa Rica. This is a five-week study abroad experience in which students will directly engage with, and will process, visualize, and/or analyze data collected by, researchers at the institute. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in data collection, as appropriate. The mission of the institute is to promote sustainable practices that benefit both the local community and local wildlife, and the data that students can examine include, but are not limited to, ecological data on bats, birds, reforestation, and stream beds, as well as data arising from community surveys. This course does not require prior knowledge of, or exposure to, data processing, visualization, or analysis techniques beyond what is covered in the prerequisite classes, and necessary techniques and methods will be introduced and discussed in daily classes. Project goals will be modified for students with more advanced backgrounds (e.g., students who have completed 36-401 and 36-402 ). The 2024 class is limited to six students overall.