Super Crunching: Google Data Mining and Beyond

Course Description

This course examines the data mining component in the Google operation.  Topics in the course include Google page rank, Google dance, Google ads, Google language translation, Google spell check, Google vs. Wal-mart, Google Resists U.S. Subpoena of Search Data, and Google recruiting.  In addition, we study the ingenious applications of data mining by Amazon.com, Yahoo, Blockbuster, eHarmony.com, and other companies such as Target, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and Hertz to provide better services that are related to our daily life.  The course actually uses powerful computers to mine useful information from a variety of large data sets.  Furthermore, the course discusses controversial issues such as privacy concerns, precautions, and the implications of humans vs. machines in the era of super crunching.