Hartford Business Journal

12 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JANUARY 17, 2022 By Robert Storace rstorace@hartfordbusiness.com T he need for data scientists has never been greater both in the U.S. and Connecticut, which is home to global insurance, IT and financial services companies. In response, Connecticut colleges are launching data science programs to train a new generation of analytics workers. The University of Connecticut's board of trustees recently approved a new data science master's degree program that will kickoff in the fall of 2022; Quinnipiac University began offering a data science bachelor's degree this past fall; and the University of Hartford will begin offering an undergraduate data science degree in the fall of 2022. College leaders say they are collaborating with the private sector and industry experts to develop curriculums that combine the use of statistics, algorithms and technology — skill sets desired by a broad range of companies as mining large amounts of data to improve business operations and predictive analytics becomes the norm. For example, Quinnipiac University worked closely with insurers Travelers Cos. and Liberty Mutual before rolling out its new data science program this past fall, according to program director Jill Shahverdian. "Those businesses encouraged the interdisciplinary approach; students can apply what they are learning to different fields," Shahverdian said. Currently, there are six students in Quinnipiac's 36-credit data science program, with that number expected to grow by 20 students annually for at least the next five years, Shahverdian said. The Hamden-based private college expects to have more than 100 data science students by 2026. Courses taught range from calculus, linear algebra and applied statistics to data mining, machine learning and database systems. "There is a need for people who have those skill sets," Shahverdian said. "People in the past often only had a background in statistics or computer programming. You either majored in one or the other. Now, we offer courses in both and you have a chance to use both fields. It's such a new industry and it's like we are on the cutting edge of something special here." Making sense of data There are currently thousands of open data science jobs across the country, according to job-search website Indeed.com, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be a 30% increase in math and statistics positions over the next CT colleges launch data science programs as need for analytics workers skyrockets Jill Shahverdian UConn Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Lejuez said his school expects significant demand for its new 30-credit data science program. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER

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