Winter School in Data Analytics and Machine Learning
Many firms and organizations have recognized the value of analyzing data based on quantitative tools like regression, machine learning, and deep learning
- for forecasting specific outcomes such as sales or prices (predictive analysis),
- for evaluating the causal impact of specific actions such as offering discounts or running marketing campaigns (causal analysis).
This permits improving the quality of decision making and thus increasing efficiency and competitiveness.
The “Fribourg Winter School in Data Analytics and Machine Learning” provides training in state-of-the-art quantitative tools for predictive and causal analysis. The one- to three-days-courses cover both introductory and more advanced topics, using the open-source software packages “Python”, “R”, and “Knime”. “Python” and “R” are among the most popular programming languages in data science and statistics, while “Knime” is a user-friendly, flow-chart based graphical interface that does not require any programming skills.
Among the topics covered in the various courses are
- regression techniques for multivariate statistical analysis;
- machine and deep learning algorithms like lasso, decision trees, random forests, and neural nets;
- text analysis to extract and statistically analyze text information from websites, like sentiments about products.
The Winter School will take place in a hybrid format. The lectures will be delivered onsite but also be broadcasted online via MS Teams. Please note that the courses will not be recorded.
A COVID certificate is required for onsite participation due to official regulations. Additional information on the current measures can be found here: Classroom teaching only with COVID certificateMeasures and ordinances (admin.ch)
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Overview of the courses
Instructor
Course
Software
Level
Date
ECTS
KNIME
introductory (no programming required)
Feb 7
0.5
Python
introductory
Feb 8-9
1.0
Python
advanced
Feb 10
0.5
R
introductory
Feb 11
0.5
R
intermediate
Feb 14-15
1.0
R
advanced
Feb 16-18
1.5
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Participants
The winter school is open to BA students, MA students, Ph.D. students, and academic researchers (such as post-docs and professors) at the University of Fribourg and at other universities or research institutions, as well as to employees of private companies and the public sector.
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Teaching modalities
The working language will be English. Courses are held in a spacious lecture hall (A230, 2nd floor) on the Pérolles campus (Boulevard de Pérolles 90, CH-1700 Fribourg) to meet COVID-19 requirements.
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Examination / evaluation
Take home exam: students obtain a dataset with several exercises to solve that need to be resubmitted in order to be graded. Without taking the exam, students can nevertheless obtain a certificate of participation (without grade).
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Credits
Successful participation in the courses (and examinations) can be credited with up to 5 ECTS points (if winter schools are recognized by the home university/institution)
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Course fees
BA, MA, and Ph.D. of the University of Fribourg
BA/MA/PhD students at other universities or academic researchers (e.g. post-docs, professors...) at the University of Fribourg or elsewhere
private companies and public sector
*Flat rate for all courses: CHF 90
Block 1: Knime course (7 Feb) CHF 200
Block 1: Knime course (7 Feb) CHF 300
Block 2: Python courses (8-10 Feb) CHF 500
Block 2: Python courses (8-10 Feb) CHF 800
Block 3: R courses (11-18 Feb) CHF 600
Block 3: R courses (11-18 Feb) CHF 900
All courses: (7-18 Feb) CHF 950
All courses: (7-18 Feb) CHF 1500
*Please note: Not all courses have to be attended.
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Payment
Payment is made directly via the online registration form. Please note that the registration is only complete when we have received the registration fee. The deadline for online registration and payment is January 31, 2022.
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Location
University of Fribourg, Boulevard de Pérolles 90, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland. Room A230 (section A, 2nd floor).
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Accomodation
Participants must book their accommodations themselves.
Here are a few recommendations:
Online registration form
Deadline 31.01.2022