Weekly Course Schedule – Spring 2024

IS597 - MLC - Machine Learning Pipelines Using Cloud-Based Platforms

Meets Monday Afternoons

Week 1 (January 15 – January 21)



Schedule Note
While we will not be holding a class session this week (see note below), there is a great deal of work for you to do before the end of Week 1. This work is described below in the section labeled "Weekly Assignments Deadline". Please do not treat this as a week off!


Schedule Note
No class will be held on Monday, January 15, due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.


Friday, January 19   (2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Zoom)
Optional Session
Lab Session
On Friday afternoons from 2:00 PM till 3:00 PM, we will be holding an optional Lab Session using Zoom. Please drop by to ask a question, to discuss solutions to previous assignments, to get help with the current assignment, to discuss the final project, or just to say hello. Please use a headset while participating.


Sunday, January 21, @  11:55 P.M.
Weekly Assignments Deadline
Topics
  • Course Startup
Required Readings
Required Recordings
Other Resources
Written Assignments Due
  • Introduce Yourself
    Description: Because of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, we do not have a class meeting on January 15th.  Consequently, we will be conducting our first week of the course using online tools. One important goal of Week 1 is to get to know each other.  Jenna and Kevin will be introducing themselves in the recorded Lecture for Week 1:  IS597 Course Introduction. You are expected to introduce yourself by posting in the Introductions Discussion Forum on Canvas by the end of Week 1 (January 21st). Please address the following questions in your post: In which iSchool program are you enrolled (if any)? How are you employed? This might include part-time, full-time, university, internship, or home care activities. What previous experience do you have using the tools and methods addressed by this course? This might include Python, Jupyter Notebooks, numpy, pandas, matplotlib, scikit-learn, AWS, or machine learning. Most important, please address the following question: What would you like to get out of this course beyond a favorable grade? We look forward to reading your posts here in the forum and to meeting you in person soon!
Computing Setup
  • Choose Your Computer
    Description: I recommend that you use a computer that runs Windows (either Windows 10 or Windows 11) or a recent release of macOS. While the software that we will be using for this course does run on Linux, there will be substantially less technical support available for Linux. If you are considering using a Linux computer, please consult with me beforehand.
  • Install Anaconda
    Description: Anaconda is an open data science platform that provides access to a coordinated set of Python tools. We will be using Anaconda to build Python virtual environments. These virtual environments provide the correct version of Python and related packages for the work that we will be doing in the course. Please read the Instructions document below. Then, play the tutorial video for your operating system to Install Anaconda.
  • Update Anaconda
    Description: In order to be sure that we have the most up-to-date versions of Python packages, we need to update Anacconda. This step needs to be done even if you just installed Anaconda for the first time in the previous step. Please read the Instructions document below. Then, play the tutorial video for your operating system to Update Anaconda.
  • Create an Anaconda Virtual Environment
    Description: In this step, we create our first Anaconda virtual environment. Please read the Instructions document below. Then, play the tutorial video for your operating system to Create an Anaconda Virtual Environment.
  • Install PyCharm Professional
    Description: PyCharm Professional is a leading Python Integrated Development Environment (IDE). I will be using PyCharm Profession in my tutorial videos and I will expect you to use PyCharm Professional when completing your assignments. JetBrains, the makers of PyCharm Professional, offer free licenses to this and a number of other products to university students and faculty. Please read the Instructions document below. Then, play the tutorial video for your operating system to Install PyCharm Professional.
  • Learn About Git
    Description: Using the Git version control system has become a basic programmer skill that everyone should master. We do expect to be making use of Git in this course. This will include some use of Git in your weekly assignments and during in-class programming activities. Most important, we will be recommending that you make use of Git while working on your Final Project. If you haven't worked with Git before, then this is a good time to get started. If you have worked with Git before, then this might be a good time to refresh your skills. We have come to prefer GitHub as our Git repository vendor and GitHub Desktop as our graphical Git client. While you are free to choose whichever Git-related tools you want to use, these are tools that we are currently recommending. We have included one link below to a LinkedIn Learning course that address Git. No single course at LinkedIn Learning perfectly addresses the exact list of Git-related skills needed for our course. We are expecting you to find your way to the combination of resources that works for you. We invite you to share any helpful resources that you find with other students using our Open Discussion Forum.
  • Install a Graphical Git Client
    Description: Natively, Git is a command line tool. Some substantial portion of our work with Git will be at the command line. Yet, many of us like to use graphical tool – especially when we are working on our own computer. If that includes you, then you will want to pick a graphical Git client and install that for your use. Currently, our preferred graphical Git client is GitHub Desktop. We have included links below for that and some other graphical Git clients that you may want to consider.
  • Sign Up for GitHub Account
    Description: When using Git, you will need to set up an account with a remote repository service provider. This allows you to share your code with others and it allows you to use Git to deploy code on any server. In our course, we will be using GitHub as our remote repository service provider. If you don't already have an account with GitHub, we recommend that you set one up now. Register for a free account and remember to register with your Illinois email address. We have provided a link to GitHub below.