Data is everywhere – but it doesn’t speak for itself. Too often, decision-makers overlook or ignore data-driven insights because no one tells the data’s story. Students in this pathway will bridge the gap between data analysis and communication, learning to gather, understand, and visualize various forms of data to solve problems and inform real-world decision-making.
The Data Exploration and Communication Pathway helps students explore the wide-ranging applications of data science, practice skills to collect and analyze data, and gain knowledge of the techniques used to effectively communicate insights for making data-driven decisions and solving real-world problems.
Students who choose this pathway will develop knowledge and skills in these areas:
Students on this pathway might go into public policy, business, research, or journalism. They might also become analysts, consultants, designers, engineers, developers, managers, scientists, or reporters. Whether you’re new to data science or already working toward “big data” goals, this pathway is adaptable to a wide range of student interests and life aspirations and is designed to help you gain confidence and feel empowered in your data science knowledge and skills during and after college.
Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Statistical & Data Sciences, Co-Director, Applied Methods & Research Experience (AMRE)
Dean of APEX; Liaison for Data Exploration & Communication Pathway
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Earth Sciences; Liaison to the Data Exploration & Communication Pathway
Whitmore-Williams Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Biology (on leave Fall 2022)
Henry J. and Laura H. Copeland Professor of European History; Global Media & Digital Studies; Liaison for Data Exploration & Communication Pathway
Professor of Computer Science and Co-Chair of Mathematical & Computational Sciences
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Approved experiences should (1) directly integrate classroom theories and principles with situational real-world analysis, decision-making, and communication; and (2) foster soft-skills, such as listening, presentation, public speaking, verbal communication, visual communication, and writing skills. These could include:
Reflections guide students to articulate meaningful connections between the skills and knowledge they are gaining and the experiences in their coursework, experiential learning opportunities and career goals. Reflections take place along five points in the pathway:
The first opportunity to reflect is when the student declares their Pathway. Responses to prompts asked at this moment establish a baseline from which student moves forward.
This is an opportunity for students to dig deeper to articulate what they are learning along the Pathway in classes and about experiential learning options related to the interests they shared in the first reflection. It is also a point at which to prepare for experiential learning/career exploration.
This reflection takes place as a student is learning about experiential learning opportunities related to their pathway.
This reflection takes place after the student has completed an experiential learning opportunity and asks them to consider how the work they have done connects with their pathway.
At this touchpoint, students engage with questions that help them build connections between theory and practice, their career goals, and how they plan to extend their Pathway beyond Wooster.
Students will complete four courses, with at least one course from three of the following skill fields. Student must complete courses from at least two different divisions:
These courses offer instruction on introductory to intermediate methods and techniques of statistical analysis that can be applied to a variety of fields and disciplines. Coursework in this skill field has students practice skills in experimental design, data collection and interpretation, and analytical decision-making relative to their intended discipline.
*Course has pre-requisite or requires instructor permission to register
These courses encourage students to make practical connections between data sciences and applied technology. Coursework in this skill field will assist students in practicing skills in programming, computing, modelling, and/or problem-solving.
*Course has pre-requisite or requires instructor permission to register
These courses provide insight into how data are communicated and visualized in a wide range of forms. Students in this skill field may receive introductions to foundations and techniques of information visualization, explore dynamics of effective communication, and practice producing and visual statements to communicate data insights.
*Course has pre-requisite or requires instructor permission to register
These courses have students practice skills and techniques in data, computing, and/or research in order to more deeply explore their intended discipline or prospective career field(s).
*Course has pre-requisite or requires instructor permission to register