Erdős Project Instructions (Spring 2024)

The group project is a time to put everything you’ve learned to the test! You will work with your team to produce a portfolio-worthy project that you can use as a talking point with future employers.

General Information

In order to get an Erdős certificate, you must complete a data science project from start to finish.

Project Topics

Your project can be anything you would like, as long as you use Python. We want your project to be something you’re passionate about and can really dig into. We understand that open ended projects can be difficult so we’ve provided a few resources:

Possible project list

General advice

Project Database (Past Project Examples)

Project Help

There are a number of Project Mentors that will be available for project help! Feel free to chat with them via Slack (#project-help) for advice.

Project Expectations

The goal is to complete a data science project that could be presented in a job interview.

3 Deliverable Requirements (see more details below)

Have an annotated GitHub repository

Executive summary of your project results and implications

5-min pre-recorded PowerPoint presentation detailing project process from start to finish

Timeline

The tasks for each week should be submitted to your Project Mentor before your weekly check-in. Some of the items listed below are more of a rough guideline, depending on your project. Consult your project mentor or Alec if you are unsure.

Questions about Project Formation:

Please watch the following video, it should help answer any questions you may have about project formation.

Project Pitch Hour:

Each session we will hold a "Project Pitch Hour" for everyone to join via Zoom. See the "Schedule" above. The Project Pitch Hour will be an opportunity for anyone without a team to join on Zoom. Once on Zoom, we will give folks an opportunity to "pitch" a project and see who else is interested. In other words, if you join the Project Pitch Hour be ready to fall in one of the two following camps:

1. You have a project idea you want to pitch, and are hoping to get other people to join.

2. You don't have a project idea, but you want to see what others are pitching and are hoping to join someone elses team.

If you are in camp (1), your pitch can last from anywhere between 30 seconds to 2-3 minutes. There is no expectation to make a formal presentation or in-depth pitch. Your pitch ould be as simple as "I want to do a project on sports, but don't know the methodology yet!" or "I've already identified the exact dataset I want to use, and a few ideas on methodology but am looking for a team." In other words - as basic or as detailed as you like.

If you are in camp (2), come with an open mind and be willing to ask questions! And of course, be willing to go in a direction you might not have considered previously!