The economic landscape is changing rapidly across our province, our country, and the world work environments are now characterized by exponential innovation, much of it in the application and use of technology.
As organizations manage this shift, people who can interpret, analyze, and apply the findings are becoming essential to nearly every industry. The challenge is now to ensure that people are able to develop and update the right skills and knowledge throughout their careers in order to succeed.
The University of Calgary is meeting the challenges of our data-driven world by launching two new short-term graduate-level programs that will prepare students many of them mid-career professionals to succeed in the fast-growing areas of data science and business analytics. In the future, there may be the opportunity to apply these credentials towards completion of a master's level program.
Hands-on experience and a deep dive into the world of 'big data'
Two new programs in Data Science and Analytics launch in September 2018. They are a collaboration between the Faculty of Science, Haskayne School of Business and the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), who will work together to share advanced knowledge and expertise with students.
Designed for working professionals, the programs emphasize collaboration and team-building to solve data-driven challenges. Students will work with real data sets, and build skills that are transferrable across sectors such as business, retail, e-commerce, advertising, and healthcare.
"These programs are for creative and critical thinkers," says Lesley Rigg, dean of the Faculty of Science. "Students with data science skills across all sectors and industries will remain relevant and employed in an environment continually impacted by technological change."
The Fundamental Data Science and Analytics certificate program consists of four courses that will provide students with a graduate-level credential. Should they choose to continue their studies, the certificate will also count toward the Data Science and Analytics diploma program (four additional courses), where students may choose to specialize in business analytics, data science, or health data science and biostatistics.
"As more and more digital data becomes available, new ways to analyze and use it to improve patient outcomes are being developed," says Dr. Marcello Tonelli, senior associate dean of clinical research at the CSM. "These programs will train students on how to turn data into usable information that allows earlier detection of illness, more precise diagnoses, and tailored treatments for patients."
Among top graduate programs in North America
Haskayne professor Ray Patterson says the business analytics program is cross-disciplinary and draws upon the unique strengths of each discipline. He expects the quality of this program to be among the top graduate programs in North America.
"Professionals from many walks of life will find this training invaluable, including accounting, finance, marketing, operations, supply chain, information systems, risk and assurance, and many others. The cross-functionality of the training ranges from computer science to statistics to business analytics this is what makes this program special," says Patterson.
"Graduates are expected to be in very high demand in the job market, and this training can transform careers. We believe that, in time, this program has the potential to become a substantial economic driver for Calgary, Alberta and Canada."
Applications are now being accepted to the Data Science and Analytics certificate and diploma program. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2018.
These new credentials for working professionals are part of a broader expansion of our technology program offerings, which also include the new minor in data science for undergraduate students, and a concentration in business analytics for Bachelor of Commerce students.
