Data Science @ El camino college

Foundations of data science

El Camino College is offering one of the first data science courses available at a California community college

Learn data science:

No Coding Experience needed

The class doesn't require any prior coding knowledge. It starts with the basics and teaches Python programming essentials.

Based on popular UC courses

The 4 unit class is similar to freshman data science courses offered at UC campuses. CSCI-8 has articulation agreements with UC Berkeley and UC San Diego.

Apply data-driven insight to any major

Learn core principals of data science and begin applying it to data from any field of study. Get a head start on your career with one of the most desirable job skills.

BOOST RESEARCH SKILLS

Incorporate data analysis into research papers or honors projects. Level-up work from any major with data-powered perspectives.

4 units & no prerequisites

The 4 unit class recommends having passed Intermediate Algebra or higher before taking the course.

certificate of Achievement progress

"Foundations of Data Science" earns credit towards the Computer Science Certificate of Achievement offered at El Camino College

Based on UC Berkeley's most popular course

"Foundations of Data Science" (aka Data 8) was first offered at UC Berkeley in Fall 2015. It quickly became the most popular course on campus. Designed for freshmen, the class is even in-demand among graduate students

Students find the course highly valuable:

...and it's popular among many different majors:

What past students think about the course:

  • "Taking data science really sets you apart and makes you more valuable. It lets you ask questions and find answers in a way that most other students can’t."

  • “I enjoy that you learn by doing -- you look at the data yourself, analyze it, ask questions, and draw conclusions.”

  • "Data helps you communicate, no matter whether your field is technical or non-technical.”

  • “One of the things I most enjoy about data science is the diversity -- my classmates range from English majors to bio majors to fellow computer science majors -- all looking at data from our different perspectives.”

Meet the Professors

Professor Niu

Professor Niu has a Masters of Science in Mathematics. Her passion for numbers has led her to teaching Statistics, leaning Python and studying Data Science. She loves teaching and travels to Japan and enjoys Japanese culture on her time off.

Professor Lin

Audrey Lin graduated with a Master of Science in Communication Data Science from the University of Southern California in 2023. She has served as a computer science adjunct faculty member since 2024, teaching data science and computer science courses.

Professor Forbes

Junko Forbes holds a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics with an emphasis in Statistics and has over 17 years of teaching experience at El Camino College. She is known for her engaging, student-centered approach and helping students build confidence through real-world applications of Statistics and Data Science.

What excites you about teaching Foundations of Data Science at El Camino?

  • "I love the interdisciplinary nature of data science, and I’m excited to see students apply it to explore their personal interests and follow their curiosity!" -** Prof. Lin**

  • "I’m excited to teach Foundations of Data Science because it helps students see how data connects to the real world. Whether they are interested in business, healthcare, social science, education, or AI, data science gives them practical tools to ask questions, analyze information, and make better decisions. It is not just about learning code — it is about learning how to think like a data scientist." -** Prof. Niu**

  • "What excites me about teaching Data Science is the opportunity to help students connect theory to real-world problems and see how data can deepen our understanding of the world around us. I’m especially drawn to the way Data Science sparks curiosity by encouraging students to ask questions, test ideas, visualize trends, and draw insights from evidence. Every dataset tells a story waiting to be explored, and I enjoy creating engaging learning experiences that help students think critically, solve meaningful problems, and recognize the real-world impact of data." -** Prof. Forbes**

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Course Description:

This introductory course in data science is built on three interrelated perspectives: inferential thinking, computational thinking, and real-world relevance. Given data arising from some real-world phenomenon, how does one analyze that data so as to understand that phenomenon? How does one collect data to answer questions that one is interested in?Inferential thinking refers to an ability to connect data to underlying phenomena and to the ability to think critically about the conclusions that are drawn from data analysis.

Interested in Dual Enrollment?

Current high school students are eligible to register for Foundations of Data Science at El Camino College for free!All enrollment fees and other student fees are waived for K-12 students who complete the dual enrollment process.

For more info about Dual Enrollment or to contact the office visit:

Already an El Camino Student? Registration Info:

"Foundations of Data Science" is listed in the Computer Science section of the El Camino course catalog as #CSCI-8

Search for "data science" in the new course catalog, or add the course in MyECC using section numbers

Questions?