'Ahead of the curve': Calgary's Mount Royal University launching four-year bachelor's degree in data science
Calgary's Mount Royal University will soon offer a four-year bachelor's degree in data science.
"We are thrilled that this degree has been approved after significant effort by faculty and university staff to develop a program that puts MRU ahead of the curve,” said Dr. Jonathan Withey, dean of the faculty of science and technology.
"Governments, organizations and businesses have access to larger quantities and more kinds of data than ever before. Employers have told us that graduates who can extract valuable insights from datasets are increasingly sought after.
"We are meeting the needs of Alberta learners seeking to embrace a wide variety of opportunities in the field of data science."
University of Calgary professor Jim Stallard responded to Wednesday's earlier version of this story with news that the U of C will be offering a bachelor of science degree with a major in data science as well -- in addition to offering graduate-level classes that go back to 2018.
"We at the U of C received provincial government approval to offer a bachelor of science with a major in data science back in mid-June," he wrote.
"This is to add to our undergraduate (minor) in data science, and to our very successful and in high demand master of data science and analytics program, both of which have been active since fall 2018."
'PILLARS OF DATA SCIENCE'
MRU says its degree will "explore the pillars of data science: math, statistics, computer science and domain knowledge" through "concentrations, specialized courses and work-integrated learning."
The institution is aiming for 50 students for a winter 2024 start.
And each fall after, 100 students will be accepted.
"I see any new additions of technology-related degrees as a major plus for people looking into Mount Royal University, and data science is nice because it's a more specific sub-sector of technology that includes both math and statistics," said Ashley Hunchak, an MRU computer information systems student and vice-president of student engagement of the Computing Alliance of Mount Royal University.
"Data science is a popular career path right now, so I'm sure there will be a lot of interest from prospective students."
MRU says it will hire new faculty for the program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Slovakia's prime minister injured in shooting
Media reports say Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was injured in a shooting and taken to hospital.
Wildfire smoke forecast: Poor air quality in Western Canada, haze in Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires continue to impact air quality across Western Canada, with conditions expected to worsen on Wednesday before improving.
'Not a scarient': New COVID-19 subvariant dominant in Canada
A new COVID-19 subvariant is dominant in Canada, representing just over 30 per cent of cases in the country, but infectious disease experts say there’s no sign it’ll evolve into a summer 'scarient.'
DEVELOPING Massive manhunt in France for prison-break gang that gunned down officers
A massive manhunt was underway in France on Wednesday for an armed gang that killed two prison officers and seriously injured three others to spring an inmate they were escorting.
Growing wildfires across Western Canada are forcing thousands from their homes
Thousands of people in Western Canada remain displaced from their homes as wildfires threaten their communities, triggering evacuation orders and alerts.
Sun shoots out biggest solar flare in almost 2 decades, but Earth should be out of the way this time
The sun produced its biggest flare in nearly two decades Tuesday, just days after severe solar storms pummelled Earth and created dazzling northern lights in unaccustomed places.
B.C. mom whose son died from wildfire smoke trying to make this year safer
As wildfires rage in British Columbia, the family of a nine-year-old who died last summer is trying to protect people from poor air quality due to smoke this year.
Victim loses $2M in online romance scam
A Malahide Township resident is out more than $2 million following a romance scam.
Stormy Daniels' husband says they'll likely leave country if Trump is acquitted
The husband of adult film actress Stormy Daniels said on Tuesday that there’s a 'good chance' the couple will leave the country if former U.S. president Donald Trump is acquitted in his Manhattan criminal trial.