The DSI forms a nexus for teaching and learning in data science and AI at LSE. Working alongside academic departments across the School, the DSI's mission is to foster the study of data science and new forms of data with a focus on their social, economic, and political aspects.
We work to cultivate a data science community at LSE and offer students opportunities for professional and personal growth beyond the classroom. We organise a range of fantastic student events including careers talks from industry experts and trips to meet data scientists working in exciting places. We also host a rich public events programme bringing AI and data science specialists to share their knowledge.
The DSI delivers four modules that are available to undergraduate students across the School. These modules are at the cutting edge of current data science concepts.
Welcome Week Activities
To find out more about the courses and what they entail you can join us during welcome week to hear from our students and staff.
Information Stand | Welcome week tent
Tuesday 24 September 9.00am to 4.00pm
Drop in to learn from DSI staff about course content, requirements and more and take part in our competition to win a DSI tote bag and vouchers.
Information Session | How to study data science at LSE: student perspective
Wednesday 25 September 11.00am to 12.30pm
Come along and hear from current students about their experience of taking our modules and all the exciting opportunites on offer both in and beyond the classroom.
Details of Our Undergraduate Modules
DS101 – Fundamentals of Data Science
This course is designed to introduce students to data science and its practice: how it works and how it can produce insights from social, political, and economic data.
More information
An overview of the course is available on the DS101 course website
Further details of course content are available in the course guides:
DS101A (Autumn Term) course guide
DS101W (Winter Term) course guide
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DS105 – Data for Data Science
This course will cover the fundamentals of data, with an aim to understanding how data is generated, how it is collected, how it must be transformed for use and storage, how it is stored, and the ways it can be retrieved and communicated.
More information
An overview of the course is available on the DS105 course website
Further details of course content are available in the course guides:
DS105A (Autumn Term) course guide
DS105W (Winter Term) course guide
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DS202 – Data Science for Social Scientists
This module extends the foundation of probability and statistics with an introduction to the most important concepts in data science and applied machine learning, with social science examples.
More information
An overview of the course is available on the DS202 course website
Further details of course content are available in the course guides:
DS202A (Autumn Term) course guide
DS202W (Winter Term) course guide
Prerequisites
A’ Level Maths or equivalent
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DS205 – Advanced Data Manipulation
This module offers an advanced alternative to our DS105 module. The primary objective of this module is to equip students with the skills to collect and manage ‘real data’ in a computationally efficient manner. The course emphasises practical learning using Python and provides live coding demonstrations during all lectures and seminars. With the use of such a programming tool, the aim to ensure students learn advanced data manipulation techniques for unstructured data such as text and the use of natural language processing methods such as APIs to process text using AI tools and large language models.
More information
Further details will be available soon.
Prerequisites
Students will need to demonstrate knowledge in programming by having completed courses such as Data for Data Science (DS105), Programming for Data Science (ST101) or alternatively summer school training courses such as Data Engineering for the Social World (ME204) and Macroeconomics I (EC1B1). If you have other training that demonstrates programming knowledge please contact us to discuss or come along to our welcome week sessions.
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How to get in touch and where to find us
Key contact | If you have any questions about the DSI or our modules, email Kevin Kittoe our Teaching and Assessment Administrator on DSI.UG@lse.ac.uk.
Kevin is alwyas happy to help students at any stage of their LSE journey.
Location | The DSI is located on the first floor of Columbia House accessible via the main entrance at 69 Aldwych, WC2B 4RR