This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of big data including the definition and taxonomy.  Various topics such as big data integration, data generation, storage, management, transfer, to analytics with a focus on state-of-the-art technologies and big data stream techniques, visualizations, and applications for big data.  Also covered with real-world applications regarding querying big data with SQL and HiveQL, ending with a discussion on the future of big data.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Explain big data and its basic characteristics
2. Compare and contrast existing big data processing data platforms and tools.
3. Demonstrate how to query big data repositories.
4. Explain clustering and data analysis of big data

Discuss the trends of big data and its future advancement

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Big Data

Week 2: Unit 2 – Big Data Tools, Techniques, and Systems

Week 3: Unit 3 – Analytical Theories and Methods

Week 4: Unit 4 – Querying Big Data

Week 5: Unit 5 –  Big data and privacy

Week 6: Unit 6 – Using big data in business

Week 7: Unit 7 – Trends in Big data

Week 8: Unit 8 – Future of Big Data

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Introduction to Big Data

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: Big Data Tools, Techniques, and Systems

• Peer assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: Analytical Theories and Methods

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz
• Take and submit the Graded Quiz

Unit 4: Querying Big Data

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: Big data and privacy

• Peer assess Unit 4 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: Using big data in business

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

 Unit 7: Trends in Big data

• Peer assess Unit 6 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Future of Big Data

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation
• Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam
• Take the Review Quiz

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

• Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz, if you haven’t already done so
• Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
• The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor