Introduction
This course will introduce you to common UNIX command-line utilities, teach you how to manage large datasets, and create shell scripts to analyze your data. The growing availability of extremely large datasets requires scientists and analysts to use powerful supercomputers or computer clusters to store, manage, and analyze these data. These servers typically use Linux as their operating system, and some programming skills and insights into suitable software packages are needed to work on them. This course will introduce you to common UNIX command-line utilities, teach you how to manage very large datasets (e.g. using sed, awk, and grep commands) and create simple shell scripts to analyze your data (e.g. using a UNIX version of the freely available statistics program R). You will also learn how to present your data and results in customized plots and figures. These skills are extremely valuable for scientists from all disciplines as well as for business practitioners (e.g. consultants or financial analysts) who are planning to work with big data. The format of the course is three-hour lectures in the morning, followed by two hours of supervised work in computer tutorials in the afternoon. Both the lectures and tutorials will be held in a computer room. The lectures will be interactive, with short examples that will allow students to apply the previously introduced concepts. During the tutorials, students will get more hands-on training in a supervised environment with exercises covering the day’s topics. They will also have the opportunity to work on the assignments. The computer room will stay open to students for self-study after the tutorials.
Students are not required to bring their own laptops, but they are allowed to do so if they wish to work on their own computers.
By the end of this course, the student should understand and feel comfortable with:
- The UN|X philosophy and environment; files, processes, pipes, filters, and basic utilities.
- Login and logout procedures, including remote login using SSH, and setting, protecting, and changing passwords.
- File transfer between systems.
- Text file manipulation with sed, awk, cut, paste, cat.
- Basic text editing using the vim editor.
- Automation through shell scripts.
- Version control with Git.
- Working with R through the UNIX command line.
- Plotting in R.
Course overview
Course level: Beginner Bachelor
Coordinating lecturer: Aysu Okbay
Other lecturer: Hyeokmoon Kweon
Forms of tuition: lectures and computer tutorials
Forms of assessment: assignments
Credits: 3 ECTS
Contact hours: 45 hours
Application procedure
The application process consists of two steps:
Step 1: Please go to our online application form.
Once you have filled out the application form, you will be directed to a payment page. You have the choice to complete the payment to secure your spot in the course, or you can decide to pay at a later moment. If you want to apply for multiple courses, you only need to fill out the form once.
The summer school team will review your application and will inform you within 5 working days if your admission is accepted or denied. In case your admission is denied then you will receive a full refund.
In the online application form you will be asked to provide the following three documents (no larger than 1 MB per document):
Motivation letter. Please make sure to describe your motivation for the specific course(s) you apply for: Why this topic? How will the course contribute to your future (academic) career? (250-500 words)
If you apply for multiple courses, answer the questions for both courses in the same motivation letter.
Transcript of records (a print screen of your most recent grades is sufficient and needs to include your name and the name of your University)
The documents will be shared with the professors before the start of the course.
Step 2: In Spring you will be able to apply for accommodation and social programs. This registration form will be shared with all course participants on 15 April latest. We will divide the rooms and social program on a first-come-first-serve basis (the earliest you apply and pay for your course, the earlier you can select your accommodation and social program)
Course confirmation
Mid-May you will be informed if the course is confirmed to run. In the unfortunate case your course is canceled you will be able to move to another course (based on availability) or request a refund*.
Who can join?
Bachelor and Master's students are welcome to apply! Students and scientists from all disciplines as well as business practitioners (e.g. consultants or financial analysts) who are planning to work with big data.
English language requirements
It is not necessary to provide us with proof of your English. We do expect your English to be sufficient to understand classes and course literature. This means you should have at least a B2 level of English, as developed within the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR). This is comparable to a TOEFL internet test with a score of 92 or an IELTS score of 6.5.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.