The Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI now is offering an undergraduate degree in Applied Data and Information Science (ADIS). The new bachelor’s degree was approved at the May 6 meeting of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
Students may pursue two specializations within the ADIS major. The Applied Data Science specialization develops mathematical and technical skills to analyze datasets. The Applied Information Science specialization develops skills to organize, access, and manage datasets. Both specializations include courses on the societal implications of data work. Along with the major, there are several other opportunities for students to engage in a data-focused curriculum, including two minors, two certificates, and two accelerated 4+1 options.
Of the 47 iSchools in North America, only four have bachelor’s degrees in Data Science (University of California at Irvine, Drexel University, University of Washington, and Penn State). The School of Informatics and Computing is the only iSchool to offer data-related programs at bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. levels. Graduate students may pursue a master’s in Applied Data Science or a Ph.D. in Data Science. Many of the courses are offered online.
The data programs focus on the data lifecycle and data pipeline, and the specific activities and skills that are crucial for working with data. According to DataONE.org, these activities include planning how to manage data and make it accessible, collecting data from various sources, assuring data quality, describing data using metadata tools and standards, preserving data for long-term use, discovering data by locating and obtaining data and metadata, integrating data from multiple sources, and analyzing data by various methods.
Angela Murillo, assistant professor of Library and Information Science and Data Science and ADIS program director, who led the development of the ADIS program, said “The Applied Data and Information Science (ADIS) Bachelor of Science degree ensures that students gain skills at every stage of the data pipeline. The program teaches data curation, management, analysis, and dissemination to create actionable insights with data, while also addressing the social and technical implication of data practices. Data skills are essential to navigate a workforce and society that increasingly relies on data (for many types of decision making).”
An understanding of how data is used and managed is among the job skills in highest demand today. Employees in virtually any career field or industry can benefit from this valuable knowledge as data continues to be central to organizational operations at every level.
Interested students may contact the undergraduate program staff or graduate program staff with questions, or visit undergraduate degrees or graduate degrees for more information and to apply.
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