DSO 516 - Probability and Data Modeling

This class is extremely quant heavy, but to be fair it is right there in the name. The professor is pretty decent at explaining, but very dry and the concepts are challenging. If you're getting an MBA, you probably won't ever have to do 99% of the material. Definitely agree with the above review that Python knowledge is necessary. Everyone failed the final but the curve was generous at least

If you do not know Python, do not take this class. This class changed a professor this semester and Professor Pollok structured this class heavily around Python. If you do not know how to code in Python it would be pretty hard to follow sometimes. Especially the final exam requires coding on the spot, which is quite hard for people with no coding background.

Class starts with basic probability and quickly becomes very difficult and dense. The class is mostly MS Analytics students who have much more experience with this kind of coursework. Grades are mostly determined by homework assignments which are fairly difficult, followed by an open book final exam.

Class picks up in difficulty and pace given time constraints. Professor Porter is awesome.

The class starts from very basics of Probability and covers some advanced topics such as simulations, different distributions and teaches some important excel skills.

Porter is great - very knowledgable, funny, engaging, and patient. This class was a great overview of different distributions and issues in probability. I'm curious to learn more and sad that I didn't have enough room to add her monte carlo class.

The class is very applied and hands-on, and Professor Porter is very approachable.

Dawn is a great professor but the course is just so fast that it's difficult to learn and retain information. You go over a lot quickly (some of it is very interesting) but the application of it is hard to determine since you're constantly adding new information.

If you do not have a good understanding of statistics, this class is great. If you do, this will be just a review.

Dawn is a great teacher!

Dawn is amazing and she does a good job at trying to cram a lot of info into a 1.5 credit class. She goes FAST though and because it's such a short class you don't get a lot of time to digest the information. Relatively light workload but enough to make you actually learn by hand.

Lots of useful information in this class that you don't realize at first. Great intro to modeling data if you're new to it. Very approachable. Dawn is lovely and patient with students. Highly recommend taking earlier than later.

teaches necessary analytical skills & modelling, but pace of the course is too fast. professor teaches at the speed of light. would get a lot more out of the class if it was a full semester course.

This course helped expand my thinking around uncertainty in the business world and modeling risk. I now feel more comfortable starting from scratch in answering questions like "How many customers would want to purchase this non-existent product?"

This course is difficult if you are not quantitatively inclined. Prof. Ward is not great at explaining difficult concepts--her heart is definitely in the right place, and she's enthusiastic about the subject matter, but the execution isn't always there. The final was quite difficult and the curve was strong. All that being said, I definitely learned some useful material, particularly around Monte Carlo simulations. Overall, I'd recommend it, but only if you plan to go into data analytics, product management, or maybe finance.

The class could possibly be useful, however the professor cannot instruct her way out of a cardboard box. Nonetheless, never going to class, putting in minimal effort to the homework, and getting a 30% on the final will still get you a B+.

It's just another data class, but professor Ward, although very thoughtful with the students, wasn't born to be a professor. She just made everyone more confused about data modeling. The slides are terrible and the class is too unstructured. I would suggest to take another data class! The only problem is that this class is required for Monte Carlo Simulation (another one I won't take, because of professor Ward) =/