Data Science Minor
Program description
Data science is one of the fastest growing segments in the modern economy. It is inherently multidisciplinary and offers high job satisfaction. The Division of Science and Math is dedicated to "quality undergraduate instruction in the natural and mathematical sciences so that its graduates are well prepared to seek employment at the B.A. level, to enter graduate or professional school, or to teach at the secondary school level."
UMM is also dedicated to "preparing its students to be global citizens who value and pursue intellectual growth, civic engagement, intercultural competence, and environmental stewardship." Being an informed global citizen and making informed decisions about public policy (civic engagement) and environmental issues (stewardship) is enhanced by the ability to understand, interpret, and analyze data -- all skills developed by the minor. Jobs not directly data-related are increasingly data-driven and the more data-savvy a student, the more prepared they will be to pursue their aspirations.
Although the majority of courses in the minor are Stats and CSci, data science has its own techniques, concerns, and professional communities. A data science minor will aid students interested in pursuing a career in data science or one that entails working with data scientists. A strong industry drive for practitioners to develop "non-technical coursework" strongly aligns with the values of a liberal arts education and provides students the opportunity to leverage non-technical interests and coursework to increase their attractiveness to potential employers and graduate programs.
Objectives:
Familiarize students with the techniques and foundational material necessary for students to pursue future studies or careers in data science.
Ensure that students understand the ethical implications inherent in the data science field.
Develop the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to properly deal with data (data acumen).
Ensure that students can properly communicate data science ideas and results to both broad and specialized audiences.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will gain the ability to apply knowledge of data science to other disciplines
Students will develop their data acumen.
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical implications inherent in the data science discipline.
Students will be able to communicate data science ideas and results to both broad and specialized audiences effectively using presentation skills and visualizations.
UMM is also dedicated to "preparing its students to be global citizens who value and pursue intellectual growth, civic engagement, intercultural competence, and environmental stewardship." Being an informed global citizen and making informed decisions about public policy (civic engagement) and environmental issues (stewardship) is enhanced by the ability to understand, interpret, and analyze data -- all skills developed by the minor. Jobs not directly data-related are increasingly data-driven and the more data-savvy a student, the more prepared they will be to pursue their aspirations.
Although the majority of courses in the minor are Stats and CSci, data science has its own techniques, concerns, and professional communities. A data science minor will aid students interested in pursuing a career in data science or one that entails working with data scientists. A strong industry drive for practitioners to develop "non-technical coursework" strongly aligns with the values of a liberal arts education and provides students the opportunity to leverage non-technical interests and coursework to increase their attractiveness to potential employers and graduate programs.
Objectives:
Familiarize students with the techniques and foundational material necessary for students to pursue future studies or careers in data science.
Ensure that students understand the ethical implications inherent in the data science field.
Develop the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to properly deal with data (data acumen).
Ensure that students can properly communicate data science ideas and results to both broad and specialized audiences.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will gain the ability to apply knowledge of data science to other disciplines
Students will develop their data acumen.
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical implications inherent in the data science discipline.
Students will be able to communicate data science ideas and results to both broad and specialized audiences effectively using presentation skills and visualizations.