This course will provide a conceptual overview and practical hands-on experience of a wide range of key tools, techniques and processes.

At the heart of the data mining toolkit is the suite of predictive modelling methods. Accordingly, the course will develop attendees’ literacy in the strengths, characteristics and correct application of a range of predictive modelling methods, from relatively simple linear models through to complex and powerful Random Forests, Support Vector Machines, Decision Trees, Tree Boosting Machines and Neural Networks will be covered along the way.

It will also teach the correct framing of predictive modelling problems, suitably preparing data, evaluating model accuracy and stability, interpreting results and interrogating models.

The two key styles of predictive modelling – operational for targeting and explanatory for insights – will be described and distinguished.

As well as predictive modelling, the course will cover a range of other key data mining tools, including:

• Data exploration and visualisation: univariate summaries, correlation matrices, heat maps, hierarchical clustering.
• Cluster analysis – used for customer segmentation and anomaly detection
• Other “unsupervised” outlier detection tools.

This course will primarily be taught using Rattle, a graphical interface for predictive modelling and data science in R. Participants will be exposed to “Big Data” techniques as applied to machine learning and deployed on Cloud Computing platforms.

Additional topics

The following additional topics may be covered depending on the pace and interests of the class:

• Link and network analysis visualisation – which provide a simple and compelling way to communicate and analyse relationships, and are commonly applied in forensics, human resources and law enforcement.
• Association analysis – used in retail market basket analysis and the assessment of risk groupings.
• Frequent item set analysis.

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for anyone in management, administrative, product, marketing, finance, risk and IT roles who works with data and wants to become acquainted with modern data analysis tools.

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge of R is required to take this course.

Course outcomes

Attendees should, by the end of the course:

• Learn fundamentals of predictive modelling and experience using a range of methods.
• Have improved their ability to assess the effectiveness and fitness for purpose of any predictive modelling tool or technique.
• Have experience with a range of unsupervised data techniques.
• Be exposed to Big Data and Cloud Computing applications.

Courses are taught by Dr Eugene Dubossarsky and his hand-picked team of highly skilled instructors.

Having studied stats at Uni I was surprised how far the field has progressed in the last few years, particularly in the area of big data. The great thing about Eugene’s course is I left with a sense that I was up to date with the latest big data modelling concepts but more importantly could also deploy them with some confidence using R. Eugene also made it clear he was available to answer questions after the course, so you are not left hanging. I would absolutely recommend this!
—Damon Rasheed, CEO, Rate Detective

For someone who does not come from an IT background R is a terrifying program. Before doing the Introduction to R course I had previously done other courses in R but always found myself in over my head because they assumed a high level of program experience (even course that required no prior programming knowledge). This course is not like that at all. It starts at ground zero and teaches you everything you need to know to be able to use R confidently in your everyday workplace. It is a must attend for anyone who wants use R!
—Alix Duncan

Data science can be a challenging topic but Eugene’s “Introduction to Machine Learning” course turns complex statistical models into plain English. The course contents and presentation were accessible and I enjoyed the mixture of hands-on rattle() exercises, the challenge of building multiple models with real life data, and the salient theory whiteboard discussions created many “aha” moments.

It was a great introductory course and it gave me with a better grasp of Machine Learning in general, a great framework for thinking about it and practical hands-on skills that I can put to immediate use. I wish I had done this course sooner.
—Charl Swart, Director of Business Operations, Unisys Credit Services

Training for all courses will be conducted with Microsoft R Open, the Enhanced Distribution of R. “Predictive Analytics, Machine Learning and Data Science for Big Data” and related courses, along with all advanced courses, will also include use of Azure ML, Microsoft’s interactive machine learning platform in the cloud.

Meals and refreshments

Catered morning tea and lunch are provided on both days of the course. Please notify us at least a week ahead if you have any special dietary requirements.

Discounts

Please ask about our discounts for group bookings.

Feedback

Use enquiries@presciient.com to email us any questions about the course, including requests for more detail, or for specific content you would like to see covered, or queries regarding prerequisites and suitability.

If you would like to attend but for any reason cannot, please also let us know.

Variation

Course material may vary from advertised due to demands and learning pace of attendees. Additional material may be presented, along with or in place of advertised.

Cancellations and refunds

You can get a full refund if you cancel 2 weeks or more before the course starts. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 2 weeks before the course starts.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do I need to bring my own computer?

There’s no need to bring your own laptop or PC. Our courses take place in modern, professional training facilities that have all the computing equipment you’ll need.

I’m lost! How do I find the venue?

Please call 0800-424282 (toll-free) or email training@presciient.com if you can’t find the venue.

Presciient training, coaching, mentoring and capability development for analytics

Please ask about tailored, in-house training courses, coaching analytics teams, executive mentoring and strategic advice and other services to build your organisation’s strategic and operational analytics capability.

Our courses include:

• Predictive Analytics, Machine Learning, Data Science and AI
• Data Literacy for Everyone
• Introduction to R and Data Visualisation
• Introduction to Python for Data Analysis
• Forecasting and Trend Analytics
• Advanced Machine Learning Masterclass
• Advanced Masterclass 2: Random Forests
• Advanced R
• Quantum Computing
• Text and Language Analytics
• Fraud and Anomaly Detection
• Introduction to Machine Learning
• Introduction to Data Science
• Kaggle Boot Camp