The program introduces students to the full data science pipeline—question formulation, data collection, storage, computation, visualization, inference, prediction, and communication. Students will learn Python and Jupyter Notebooks and complete a capstone project applying machine learning and AI models on real-world data.
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.
Classes will be held Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 14:30. While each day varies slightly in format, a typical day includes:
| Time | Activity |
| 9:00 – 12:15 | Morning Session (incl. 20-minute break) |
| 12:15 – 13:15 | Lunch |
| 13:15 – 14:30 | Afternoon Session (Action Lab) |
| 14:30 – 16:00 | Optional Group Work/Office Hours |
Foundations
Modern AI
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.
Participants who successfully complete the Introduction to Data Science & Machine Learning will be eligible for the UChicago Summer Session Early Notification (SSEN) application option.
Dr. Edwin Lo is an Assistant Senior Instructional Professor of Data Science and the Director of the Masters in Data Science program at UChicago’s Data Science Institute. His teaching portfolio covers a wide array of fields, including data science, AI, physics, and mathematics. He teaches courses ranging from undergraduate introductory levels to advanced graduate classes. Dr. Lo is committed to meeting students at their current level while maintaining the rigor and breadth that define his curriculum. He emphasizes the importance of a solid mathematical foundation as key to the well-rounded development of future data scientists and STEM professionals.
Dr. Lo joined UChicago in 2024. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from The Johns Hopkins University and a B.Sc. in Physics from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
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 Introduction to Data Science and Machine Learning designed by DSI is one of it’s educational and outreach pursuits to training the next generation of data scientists.
[Refer to UChicago Summer Sessions Admissions]
[Refer to UChicago Summer Sessions Admissions]
| Application submitted: | Hong Kong Dollars |
| Before January 13, 2027 | $--,--- |
| Between January 14 and March 3, 2027 | $--,--- |
I really enjoyed the lectures given by the two professors. Their explanations were clear and concise. The well-structured lecture notebooks were also helpful for exploring and reviewing the material. After class, the lab assignments aligned with key points from the lectures, which encouraged me to practice the skills I learned.
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The summer academy let me learn a lot about data science, an area I hadn’t explored systematically before. I learned how to code, build models using different methods, and create plots. I believe that’s really helpful for my future. Moreover, the final project is really interesting and helpful. It lets me apply what I’ve learned in class to real applications. I know the importance of analyzing data in different scenarios. Overall, it’s a really memorable and fascinating experience! ”
The lectures at the Data Science Academy had two great aspects. First, the course was well prepared. We had well-structured materials, such as course notes and lab work, that supported our understanding. Second, the professors had professional experience delivering lectures. Their words were clear, accurate, and concise, which greatly helped us understand the material in class. ”
You have questions about the Introduction to Data Science and Machine Learning?
Email us: hkprograms@uchicago.edu