Creating an Undergraduate Data Science Program in a Disciplinary and Institutional Context in an iSchool

Abstract

Data science (DS) programs have grown to address the workforce demand in an increasingly data‐driven society. Given that DS is highly interdisciplinary and individual institutions have various academic structures, creating a new DS program needs to consider many factors. This poster details the process of how to create an undergraduate DS minor program with considerations of the following key questions: (1) What is the general background of DS education landscape and iSchools? (2) What is the institutional context of DS education, i.e., what are gaps in the institutional DS education? How does the proposed program fit in and distinguish itself from other DS programs on campus? (3) How to navigate the DS approval process with multiple DS programs on campus? This work will help those who plan to create and revise a DS program that benefits students and fits in the broad DS education landscape and their own institution.