Geography 495 C ADVENTURES IN R FOR POPULATION SCIENCE
Summer 2025 Full-Term Offered Asynchronously SLN: 14110
Professor Suzanne Davies Withers swithers@uw.edu
Course Description
In this course we will explore the power of R in Population Science. R is an open-source programming language that provides a suite of tools for data wrangling, statistical computation, spatial analysis, graphics and visualization. We will begin with the fundamentals of data science, R programming, and managing population data, then venture into the field of population science with a focus on applications in the study of fertility, mortality, and population health. Students will learn to apply a selection of R suites to population science concerns. The emphasis throughout the course is on the application of data science to understand demographics and population health.
Prerequisites: No prior experience with R is required, but some experience with programming would be beneficial.
Learning Objectives
The course is designed for you to develop:
- An understanding of the R environment for population data science
- Experience downloading typical population data sources
- Experience using R for data wrangling
- An appreciation for R suites commonly used in population science research
- The use of R as a GIS, and integrating R with other geographic information systems
- The art and science of transforming data into actionable knowledge and decision-making
Assessment
Assessment in this course predominantly will be related to weekly assignments that provide the opportunity to apply R packages to analyze population health data. At the end of the course, students will also design and apply a small independent study to display their mastery of the course content.