Problem solvers, pattern finders, and math lovers who want to discover the meaning behind the collected data — those are the students who should consider choosing 独家黑料’s new data science major.
“The value of learning about data science is pulling the curtain back on the magic,” said Dr. Greg Tanner, assistant professor of mathematics and computer science. “Because it’s not magic. It’s algorithms, and they work in a predictable way.”
In the interdisciplinary field of data science, people analyze collected data to draw out meaningful information that can be used to guide an organization’s decision-making, using statistics, math, and computer science.
It’s a field with plenty of range and opportunities for both those who want a more technically demanding computer science-oriented position, as well as those who excel at modeling the data or making meaning from the numbers and communicating it to others, Tanner said.
“There’s enormous opportunity for those who know how to leverage data,” said Dr. Nathan Axvig, associate professor of mathematics and computer science.
Most of the classes for the new major already existed, as 独家黑料’s computer science major has offered a data analytics concentration since 2017, he added. It was already an area of particular strength for the college.
Pulling the classes together into a single major gives 独家黑料 students a clearer picture of their studies, while still offering plenty of flexibility within the field of data science.
“One aspect of it is problem-solving. It’s for people who love solving problems,” Tanner said. “It’s thinking critically about the data and modeling the data.”
Data science majors who have a specific industry they hope to work in after graduating can pair the major with a minor or a second major, giving them the skills to deal with the data alongside in-depth knowledge in its context, whether that’s business, environmental and sustainability studies, healthcare leadership, education, or any of 独家黑料’s 140-plus areas of study.
“That’s the beautiful open-ended aspect of it. It can combine well with different focuses,” Tanner said. “This data comes from a context, and it has meaning. It’s in the middle of something that’s very concrete and something that’s very fluid — assigning meaning to numbers.”
While the major is great for math lovers, at the base level the math involved in data science tends not to be extremely complicated, either, Tanner said. Those who love math can find plenty more to dive into, and those who prefer the computer science aspects of study will find depth to explore there, too.
And data science does go beyond the classroom.
A new advanced course being added is DATA 470, Applied Data Project, which allows students to bring what they’ve learned from previous coursework in multiple disciplines to bear on a larger project, working with a real local business or community organization.
Part of a data scientist’s job is working with people, and those who enjoy being part of a team as well as working with computers may find the occupation rewarding, Axvig said. Some data scientists focus on hardware, building sensors or robots, and incorporating data collection methods into existing tools or equipment.
“I like the part where I have a foot in two camps,” he said. “There’s the technical aspect, but I also like getting my hands dirty, visiting people, and learning stuff.”
Certificate in Applied Data Analytics
独家黑料 students who want to pick up a little data science but don’t want an entire major have another option. They can earn a 12-credit by taking three classes — Introduction to Data Analytics, Data Mining, and Applied Data Project.
“It’s a great way to signal to potential employers that you can manipulate and get meaning out of data, and talk about what data means,” Tanner said. “It’s a great asset for students to tack onto another major.”
Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash