MSA 8395: Special Topics in Analytics

This course allows for in-depth study of topics of special current significance in analytics. This semester the course covers three areas: Big-data Processing with Apache Spark, Computer Vision and Image Processing, and Agentic AI. Participants will develop a project for each of the topics. In addition, the course covers development and deployment of data science solutions.

Schedule

DateSessionTopicIn ClassDue Date
2025-08-271Course overview, Transformative Impact of GenAI in Education
2025-09-032Agentic AI, Tutor Architecture, MCP toolsQuiz 1
2025-09-103Tutor Design ReviewQuiz 2Tutor Design
2025-09-174Apache Spark & Advanced DataFramesQuiz 3
2025-09-245Efficient Data Processing and OptimizationQuiz 4
2025-10-016Machine Learning Pipelines in Spark MllibQuiz 5
2025-10-087Graph Analytics & Advanced TopicsQuiz 6
2025-10-158Fundamentals of Image Processing for AnalyticsQuiz 7Spark Project
2025-10-229From Features to Classical Machine LearningQuiz 8
2025-10-2910Deep Learning for Computer VisionQuiz 9
2025-11-0511Generative and Advanced Methods in VisionQuiz 10
2025-11-1212Development LabComputer Vision Project
2025-11-1913Development LabTutor App Preview Posted
2025-11-26-- Thanksgiving Week --
2025-12-0314Tutor Application Presentation and DemoTutor Application Project/ Tutor App Evalutaion
2025-12-10-- Submit final version of project --Final Artificats

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