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Southern Methodist U Debuts Online Grad Program in Data Science

To help meet a growing demand, Dallas' Southern Methodist University will launch a new Master of Science degree in data science in 2015, with courses drawn across its schools of humanities and sciences, engineering, and the arts.

Although the program is online only, students will take synchronous classes on a weekly basis on subjects like computer science, statistics, strategic behavior, and data visualization. The format is designed to foster more collaboration between teachers and students. Lecture materials will still be available on demand through a platform developed for the university by 2U, an online course management provider for higher ed.

"We look forward to building an innovative online data science program that will prepare students to effectively manage and analyze data as well as communicate and visualize findings," said SMU Provost and vice president for academic affairs Paul W. Ludden in a statement.

Students in the program, named DataScience@SMU by the university, will complete a total of 30 credits of core coursework in statistics, data mining, and data visualization, and a 1-credit, in-person class on the SMU campus in Dallas.

About the Author

Stephen Noonoo is an education technology journalist based in Los Angeles. He is on Twitter @stephenoonoo.

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