Data Science, broadly speaking, develops techniques for distilling knowledge and information out of empirical data. It is a dynamic, newly emerging field that combines techniques from Statistics, Mathematics, and Computer Science. It has applications particularly relevant to Clarks programs in Economics, Business Analytics, GIS, IDCE, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, although it can also interact with the quantitative aspects of any discipline. Nationwide, Data Science is emerging as an important and popular area of study with excellent employment prospects.
The Data Science major and minor at Clark aim at providing a solid education to students and preparing students for graduate study, and/or careers in industry and non-profits. With our curriculum and our teaching we pursue the following goals:
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Develop in students a solid foundation of data-centered computing and the ability to learn on their own;
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Develop in students a good understanding of the key statistics and computational concepts, principles, and techniques;
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Develop in students a broad range of practical skills required of data science professionals , such as formulating problems, designing data collection strategies, processing and analyzing data, extracting information from the data, and using the information to make sound decisions;
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Develop in students a general understanding of the social issues surrounding data science and the code of conduct in this discipline;
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Develop in students an appreciation and desire for knowledge and life-long learning;
- Foster creativity, independence, discipline, responsibility, respect, and ethical behavior.