How to be a data scientist, no matter what your major
Computer science and programming
BIOGRAPHY
Jim Factor is a professor of Mathematics and Computing at Alverno College where he has taught since 2008. He recently completed work as the principal investigator on a project for the National Science Foundation entitled Transforming Linear Algebra Education with GeoGebra Applets. This project developed an online library of interactive programs in two and three dimensions, as well as educational support materials for both learning and teaching linear algebra. The content of the library is being used both nationally and internationally because it flips the conventional way of teaching mathematics - the focus is on students experiencing and understanding the mathematics first, and then this understanding is associated with the vocabulary, symbols, operations and algebraic manipulations after.
Factor has most recently been working with Google to implement their Applied Computing Series at Alverno in order to prepare students for an entry level position as a data scientist. This field is one of the most highly-paid jobs and is expected to grow rapidly. Averno College is one of only twenty colleges and universities partnering with Google to teach this series. Alverno is now offering a major in Data Science, as well as a minor.
Prior to coming to Alverno, Factor taught at Lindenwood University and Marquette University where he was a professor of Computer Science, teaching many programming languages. At Lindenwood, he established a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and created a number of articulation agreements with other universities, allowing students to earn an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in engineering more quickly.
Outside of academics, Factor worked for McDonnell Douglas (now the Boeing Corporation) for 11 years where he was a software engineer, developer and manager working on corporate-wide projects.
Factor earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and in Russian, a Master of Science in Mathematics, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics, all from St. Louis University.
Published on August 13, 2020 | Categories: Experts
