University of Colorado Boulder

Ethical Issues in Data Science

Bobby Schnabel

Instructor: Bobby Schnabel

3,508 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(37 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
Approx. 23 hours
Learn at your own pace
Build toward a degree
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(37 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
Approx. 23 hours
Learn at your own pace
Build toward a degree

What you'll learn

  • Learners will be able to Identify and manage ethical situations that may arise in their careers.

  • Learnerrs will be able to apply ethical frameworks to help them analyze ethical challenges.

  • Learners will be familiar with key applications of data science that are commonly  linked to ethical issues.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 quizzes

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Vital Skills for Data Science Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate
Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 5 modules in this course

This module begins with an introduction to the course including motivation for the topic, the course goals, what topics the course will cover, and what is expected of the students. It then reviews the three ethical frameworks that are most commonly applied to ethical discussions in data science and computing: Kantianism/deontology, virtue ethics, and utilitarianism. Case studies are used to illustrate the application and properties of these frameworks.

What's included

5 videos6 readings1 quiz3 discussion prompts

This module begins with some background about the Internet, which is the foundation for most of the topics that we study in this course. It then discusses the two most basic ethical issues in using the internet, privacy and security, in the context of data science. It goes through a number of real case studies and examples for each to illustrate the diversity of issues.

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 quiz1 peer review2 discussion prompts

This module provides insight into the ethical issues in the data science profession and workplace (as opposed to technical topics in data science). It starts with discussion of two highly relevant codes of professional ethics, from professional societies in statistics and in computing. It then looks at a variety of recent workplace ethics issues in tech companies. A key part of this module is interviewing a data science professional about ethical issues they have encountered in their career.

What's included

4 videos2 readings1 quiz1 peer review1 discussion prompt

Algorithmic bias may be the topic that people associate most with ethical issues in data science. This module begins by providing some general background on algorithmic bias and considering varying views on the pros and cons of algorithmic vs. human decision making. It then reviews an illustrative set of examples of algorithmic bias related to gender and race, which is a particularly important class of instances of algorithmic bias. The final part of the module discusses what is perhaps the single most prominent and discussed instance of algorithmic decision making and bias, facial recognition.

What's included

6 videos3 readings1 quiz1 peer review1 discussion prompt

Data science is applied to a wide variety of important application areas, each with their own ethical issues. This module focuses on an application area that is both particularly important and leads to a rich set of ethical issues: medical applications. This includes looking at current issues involved with health databases and the uses of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and more futuristic issues, gene editing and neurological interventions. The module concludes with a crucial topic that every data science profession should consider: the implications of the fields of data science and computing on the future of human work.

What's included

6 videos3 readings1 peer review3 discussion prompts

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.9 (18 ratings)
Bobby Schnabel
University of Colorado Boulder
4 Courses5,087 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Data Analysis

Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 37

4.7

37 reviews

  • 5 stars

    86.48%

  • 4 stars

    5.40%

  • 3 stars

    2.70%

  • 2 stars

    2.70%

  • 1 star

    2.70%

RS
5

Reviewed on Jun 12, 2021

IB
5

Reviewed on Sep 17, 2022

MQ
4

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2022

New to Data Analysis? Start here.

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions