Foundations of Data Science

Learn about data collection, exploration, manipulation and storage, analysis, and presentation to navigate data-rich workplace environments.

About the Certificate

The School of Information directly engages issues at the intersection of technology, people, and information. Through transdisciplinary curriculum, the 9-credit hour Foundations of Data Science graduate certificate aims to train graduate students who wish for a focused amount of foundational data science training as a gateway into a full graduate degree, as an augmenting experience to combine with other graduate degree endeavors, or as a stand-alone training to aid them in their professional lives. This certificate encompasses foundational work in data science.

Learning Outcomes

The Data science graduates often end up working in jobs such as data analyst, data architect, data engineer, solutions architect, and systems engineer.

Students will accomplish the following Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate skills in processing and analyzing data

Students will communicate with and effectively work and interact in teams

Students will demonstrate abilities in analyzing ethical concerns and societal impacts related to data science

Requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed undergraduate coursework or have professional experience in programming and statistics. Coursework in calculus is preferred but not required. Applicants should be able to speak to their experience in quantitative and analytical reasoning abilities, as well as experience with math and programming including data structures, analysis of algorithms, and linear algebra.

The Foundations of Data Science certificate requires 9 units (3 courses) in core informational areas. These courses can overlap entirely with the MS INFO degree if students are dual enrolled. Students can complete the certificate in 1-2 semesters.

Required Courses

  • 9 units

Transfer Units

You can transfer up to 3 units from other accredited institutions with the approval of the certificate advisor.

Any course substitutions must be approved in advance by the certificate advisor.

Up to 9 units can be shared between the certificate and Master's degree.