Course modules index

This folder contains six standalone teaching modules built on ALT/FNDATA's alternative data platform. Each module is a complete, drop-in session: summary, objectives, prerequisites, a timed agenda, an in-class demo that runs entirely in the no-code sandbox, named datasets and queries, discussion questions, and a homework assignment. Instructors can teach any module on its own or sequence several across a term.

All modules share the same access model. Students work in the sandbox at sandbox.altfndata.com, which is browser-based, requires no installation, and is available the moment a student self-registers with a work or school email address (auto-approved, no waiting on the instructor). Instructors who want to demonstrate the production API or assign a coding extension can request a shared class API key from the ALT/FNDATA team at info@altfndata.com; students never need a key to complete the core coursework. Documentation, the downloadable Python client, and a runnable tutorials notebook live at docs.altfndata.com.

Modules at a glance

Module	Title	Focus	Format
1	Alternative data in finance	Survey of alt data as an asset class and where auction and resale pricing data fits	No-code
2	Data science and SQL	Querying, aggregation, and building a demand index in SQL	No-code, optional code extension
3	Consumer and luxury economics	Pricing power, sell-through, and brand-level demand as economic signals	No-code
4	Investments and equity research	Brand-to-ticker mapping and the divergence between the saleroom and the public markets	No-code, optional code extension
5	Library data literacy workshop	General-audience introduction to reading and querying a real dataset	No-code
6	FinTech and data products	How alternative data becomes a commercial product, from schema to API	No-code, optional code extension

Suggested course fit

Course type	Level	Recommended modules
Introduction to alternative data / fintech survey	Undergraduate, MBA	Module 1, then Module 6
Database systems / data science methods	Undergraduate, graduate	Module 2
Consumer behavior / luxury and marketing economics	Undergraduate, MBA	Module 3
Equity research / investments practicum	MBA, graduate finance	Module 4
Public or academic library workshop series	General patrons, continuing education	Module 5
FinTech product design / entrepreneurship	MBA, graduate	Module 6, paired with Module 4

Each session is designed to run in 60 to 90 minutes and assumes no prior exposure to ALT/FNDATA. Instructors adapting a module for a shorter class period should trim the discussion segment first, since the demo and dataset walkthrough are the load-bearing parts of the lesson.