A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study will set forth a vision for the emerging discipline of data science at the undergraduate level. It will emphasize core underlying principles, intellectual content, and pedagogical issues specific to data science, including core concepts that distinguish it from neighboring disciplines. It will not consider the practicalities of creating materials, courses, or programs.
It will develop this vision considering applications of and careers in data science. It will focus on the undergraduate level, addressing related issues at the middle and high school as well as community colleges as appropriate, and will draw on experiences in creating Master's-level programs. It will also consider opportunities created by the emergence of a new STEM field to engage underrepresented student populations and consider ways to reduce the “leakage” seen in existing STEM pathways.
Information gathering will center around two workshops, the first likely focused on principles and intellectual content, and the second likely focused on pedagogy and implications for middle and high schools and community colleges. To get material on the record quickly and spark community feedback, an interim report will be issued following the first workshop. The interim report will not include recommendations, but may include findings or conclusion if the evidence warrants. A final report will be issued following both workshops and committee deliberations setting forth a vision for undergraduate education in data science.