A Collaborative Project: Development of An Undergraduate Data Mining Course

数据挖掘是一个新兴的领域。IT行业以及生物信息学、信息保障和国土安全等数据海量的新领域一直需要数据挖掘知识。传统上，数据挖掘课程是在研究生水平上提供的；现在，这种类型的课程需要在本科水平上，以增加对这一领域的兴趣，并满足劳动力市场的需求。亚利桑那州和莱特州立大学之间的这个合作项目为三年级和四年级学生开发了一门本科生数据挖掘课程。目标是：开发一门既可以在亚利桑那州立大学学期教授，也可以在西苏里州立大学四分之一学期教授的课程，建立工具和方法来增加学生在课程中的留存率，并促进解决问题所必需的数据挖掘技能。这些目标是通过几种方式实现的：设计一个评估前工具，衡量学生对数据挖掘和在线教程的知识；编写课程材料，通过反思、批评、练习、从实践中辨别理论来提高解决问题的技能；以及使用一个持续的评估过程，不仅涉及学生的成绩，而且还涉及招生保留。来自领先IT行业的投入被用来结合即时的实际需求。包括评估在内的项目结果通过各种方式公布。课程网站上提供了笔记、辅助材料、项目和考试。

Data mining is an emerging field. The knowledge of data mining has been in demand in the IT industry and in new areas like bioinformatics, information assurance, and homeland security where data are massive. Traditionally, data mining courses are offered at the graduate level; now, this type of course is needed at the undergraduate level to increase interest in this area and address labor market demands. This collaborative project between Arizona and Wright State Universities develops an undergraduate data mining course for junior and seniors. The objectives are: develop a course that can be taught either by semester ASU or quarter WSU term, establish vehicles and approaches to increase student retention in the course, and promote data mining skills essential to problem solving. The objectives are accomplished in several ways: designing a pre-assessment instrument measuring student knowledge of data mining, and on-line tutorials; develop course materials that will enhance problem solving skills through reflection, critique, exercises, discerning theory from practice; and using a continuous evaluation process that addresses not only student achievement but also enrollment retention. Input from leading IT industry is used to incorporate immediate practical needs. The results of the project including evaluation are published via various means. Notes, supporting materials, projects, and exams are made available on the course web site.