Data Science Summer Academy

• Taught by UChicago’s DSI Preceptors, our Preceptors are data science experts who will be leading the lectures and providing support in students’ learning journey
• Students will have a better understanding of data and its application in the real world, along with projects that students can include in any of their college applications
• Guest speakers who will share their insights in data science as a career
• Excursions to relevant industries and sites to advance students’ understanding of data science applications

• Available for current high school students who are at least 15 years old
• Students with a strong background in math (minimum knowledge – Algebra I), statistics and coding, and interest in data analytics
• The program's medium of instruction will be in English, so students should be comfortable in an English-speaking learning environment
• Applicants must be Hong Kong residents or be eligible to study in Hong Kong during the program period

In preparation for the course, students will be expected to complete some coursework to familiarize themselves with some common concepts and theories related to the course. Students are expected to bring their own laptops to class and will also be provided with instructions on how to download the Jupyter Notebook software, which will be used frequently in this course.

Academic classes are held Monday through Friday. Excursions and guest speakers will be integrated into the classes throughout the program The last week of the program will be focused on group and individual works on a data sciences-related project.

While each day varies slightly in format, a typical day includes:

• 9:30 to 10:45 – Lecture
• 10:45 to 11:00 – Mid-morning break
• 11:00 to 12:15 – Lecture
• 12:15 to 13:15 – Lunch
• 13:15 to 14:30 – Lab
• 14:30 to 16:00 – Campus available for optional group or individual work

• Introduction to Data Science and the Data Science Pipeline
• Quantitative reasoning and critique of data-based claims
• Data visualization and communication
• Python programming essentials
• NumPy, pandas, SciPy, Matplotlib
• Prediction and classification with linear regression
• Feature engineering and one-hot encoding
• K-Nearest Neighbors
• Introduction to neural networks
• Unsupervised learning and clustering

For each of our Summer Academy programs, students will also have the opportunity to participate in sessions led by a UChicago admissions counselor to better understand the highly selective admissions process practiced by U.S. colleges and universities. Such sessions will give students a window into the role that essays play in the application and how an application is holistically reviewed for admission.

Main Instructor of DSSA
Preceptor at the Data Science Institute

Bill Trok, PhD, is a Preceptor in Data Science from the University of Chicago, where he enjoys introducing students to Data Science and mentoring students on projects involving Data Science and Large Language Models.  He is deeply committed to helping new learners develop practical skills, gain experience and a love for the field of Data Science. Outside of academia, he is a dedicated runner and cook.

Faculty Director of DSSA
Elaine M. and Samuel D. Kersten, Jr. Distinguished Service Professor; Faculty Co-Director at the Data Science Institute

Dan Nicolae obtained his Ph.D. in statistics from The University of Chicago and has been a faculty at the same institution since 1999, with appointments in Statistics (since 1999) and Medicine (since 2006). He has served as chair of the Department of Statistics from 2016-2022, and section chief for the Section of Genetic Medicine from 2015-2016. His research seeks to understand the role of genetic, genomic and environmental factors, and their interactions, in the development of common/complex diseases. A statistical geneticist and a mathematical statistician, he specializes in developing methodological advances for large data problems in biology and medicine. Particular interests include functional genomics, microbiome, integration of omics data, networks, and systems biology. The statistical and computational methods developed by his group are based on foundations in high-dimensional statistical inference, machine learning and data science. 

The Data Science Institute (DSI) executes the University of Chicago’s bold, innovative vision of Data Science as a new discipline. It is part of an ambitious, multi-year expansion of computer and data science efforts at the University. DSI’s mission is to address important scientific and societal questions through coordinated advances in applications, models, algorithms and platforms, specifically, through research, outreach and education. The Data Science Summer Academy designed by DSI is one of it’s educational and outreach pursuits to training the next generation of data scientists.

• Early Bird Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
• Regular Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

1. Latest school transcript
2. Students’ statement of purpose
   • The statement of purpose should be a document of less than 700 words describing your interests as well as your background and why you would like to pursue a data science class this summer. You can address any of the following:
   • Explain why you would be a good fit for the Data Science Summer Academy. What skills and experiences do you have that would make you a good candidate?
   • What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
   • Describe an experience that you believe has prepared you for the Data Science Summer Academy. This can be related to any extracurricular experiences, a class project, communication, leadership, etc.
3. [Optional] English Proficiency Scores
4. [Optional] Letter of Recommendations
5. [Optional] List of extracurricular activities and personal achievements

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• Program fee includes the course fee, use of the UChicago Campus in Hong Kong facilities, one meal and refreshments during on-campus days, excursion expenses, and shuttle buses to and from campus and Kennedy Town MTR Station. Program Fees are non-refundable once paid unless the program is canceled by the UChicago campus in Hong Kong.