The proliferation of vast quantities of available datasets that are large and complex in nature has challenged universities to keep up with the demand for graduates trained in both the statistical and the computational set of skills required to effectively plan, acquire, manage, analyze, and communicate the findings of such data. To keep up with this demand, attracting students early on to data science as well as providing them a solid foray into the field becomes increasingly important. We present a case study of an introductory undergraduate course in data science that is designed to address these needs. Offered at Duke University, this course has no prerequisites and serves a wide audience of aspiring statistics and data science majors as well as humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences students. We discuss the unique set of challenges posed by offering such a course, and in light of these challenges, we present a detailed discussion into the pedagogical design elements, content, structure, computational infrastructure, and the assessment methodology of the course. We also offer a repository containing all teaching materials that are opensource, along with supplementary materials and the R code for reproducing the figures found in the article.

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Background: Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is characterised by inadequate secretion of pancreatic enzymes and can result in significant gastrointestinal symptoms, malabsorption and increased morbidity.Aims: To evaluate testing for PEI (with faecal elastase – FEL‐1) among patients with diabetes mellitus in the Belfast Trust, and to identify factors that were associated with the development of PEI.Methods: Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from electronic health care records. PEI was assessed by FEL‐1. Based on FEL‐1 levels (μg/g faeces), patients were categorised to have severe PEI (<100), moderate PEI (100–200) and normal (>200). A retrospective analysis of all FEL‐1 samples in patients with diabetes mellitus/pre‐diabetes between 1 February 2019 and 1 February 2020 was undertaken.Results: Of the 536 FEL‐1 samples analysed by the Belfast Trust over the 12‐month period, 162 (30%) were from diabetic or pre‐diabetic patients. A total of 128 (80%) had normal FEL‐1 results, nine (5%) moderate PEI, and 25 (15%) severe PEI. Of the 34 with PEI, 30/34 (88%) had gastrointestinal symptoms at diagnosis of PEI. For those with PEI, three had type 1 diabetes, 15 had type 2 diabetes, 16 had secondary diabetes mellitus; 28/34 (82%) were not on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy previously. Source of testing for those confirmed with PEI included inpatients (n=12), general practice patients (n=5) and outpatients (n=17). PEI was associated more with male gender, those with type 3c diabetes (pancreatic diabetes) and worse glycaemic control.Summary: From our cohort, 1 in 4 FEL‐1 samples sent from patients with diabetes had PEI. There is potential for targeted screening for symptoms in this population which could increase diagnostic rates of PEI and subsequent treatment with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Copyright © 2022 John Wiley & Sons.