Which course is more important for data mining?

st12iker · Contributor Joined: 27 Mar 2013 Posts: 5

I am in a data mining program though I am also trying to break into the related field of machine learning. (two of which are very related...)

For my courses I cant pick which is best...

Applied Multivariate Statistics

or

Analysis of Algorithms ...

which would be best for pursuing a career in data mining/machine learning. Im trying to get exposure to both the computer science and statistical aspects of the broad data mining field.

Is multivariate analysis really necessary to understand data mining?
Does analysis of algorithms help when getting exposure to machine learning?

editor · Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:37 am Post subject: statistics courses

Statistics courses are more important for data mining than analysis of algorithms - check also free courses on machine learning from Coursera
and Caltech

st12iker · Contributor Joined: 27 Mar 2013 Posts: 5

What happens if I want to be a [u]machine learning expert [/u]AND data miner ?

Would analysis of algorithms be appropriate for machine learning aspect?

phil123 · Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:51 am Post subject:

I think that it depends on what you want to do.

If you want to work more from a computer science perspective and write some efficient data mining and machine learning algorithms, then being good at algorithm design and being a good programmer is useful.

If you want to focus on how to analyze data to take meaningful conclusions from your data, statistics is important.

Actually, you could also take both courses. That would be great too. ;-)