With the explosion of complex data in recent years, data analytics is emerging as one of the most in-demand tech jobs. Across all industries, organizations are increasingly relying on data analysis to drive strategic decisions and respond to a rapidly changing global marketplace. Organizations are realizing that informed decisions in complexity require critical improvements in data and decision processes and tools including:

Addressing data gaps (including gaps based on bias)

Curating big data into good data (data that is meaningful in relation to the decision goal)

Securing interrelated quantitative and qualitative data 

Making data accessible to diverse stakeholders so they can participate in data improvement and collaborative decision making

Facilitating data supported collaborative decision making in complex situations 

The need for leaders and problem-solvers who understand analytics and its applications and have the cross-cutting skills to develop processes and tools for data supported collaborative innovation is more critical than ever.

The Data for Collaborative Innovation concentration provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in data analysis, statistics, applied probability, as well as complex decision-making frameworks. Building on the Academy’s unique interdisciplinary approach, students will explore the application of data analytics to a range of real-world problems while expanding their understanding of industry trends, tools, and technologies and the role of diverse stakeholders and high dimensional data in exploring complex societal challenges

Students will develop a strong foundation in the design and creation of data structures, databases and data visualization. Building on the Academy’s core, students will learn to collaboratively analyze and interpret data through dedicated courses such as Data Analytics and Applied Probability and Statistics. Throughout the course of study, students learn to critically process data to yield valuable insights toward strategic decision-making. Students also have the flexibility to take up to eight units of data science courses from USC partner schools.

Learn the  fundamentals of probability and statistics as a precursor to data analytics

Learn to use data capture and analysis tools to extract quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources

Learn how to correct corrupted, or incomplete, data (i.e., improve the quality of data, prior to analysis)

Use statistical and data analysis tools to identify, analyze, and interpret patterns and trends in complex data sets 

Develop and utilize novel collaborative decisions making processes and tools and apply these innovation to real world projects

With the confluence of data and technology, the career prospects in data analytics will continue to widen and evolve. In addition to the Academy’s powerful interdisciplinary mindset and broad skillset, graduates gain fluency in the fundamentals of data analysis, probability and statistics and ability to derive key insights to inform business, societal and policy decisions. Students will be prepared for roles such as data analysts, data technicians, as well as related strategic leadership roles in any company or organization that wants to leverage their data and address data gaps for a competitive advantage.

The Data for Collaborative Innovation concentration provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in data analysis, statistics, applied probability, as well as complex decision-making frameworks.

Data for Collaborative Innovation

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