We’ve always made educated guesses about the future and attempted to predict it in the way we envision it to be. How exciting does it sound to be able to predict the future? What if we could predict the future and prepare ourselves for it? That is precisely what data science can do.
Data science is all about leveraging the power of the plethora of data available to us today. From analyzing sentiments on social media to self-driving cars, from predicting flight delays to forecasting sales demands, data science has a significant role to play. Today, data science has opened up avenues for blockchain, cryptocurrency, IoT, and quantum computing to name a few.
With its potential to predict future business outcomes and avoid risks, data science is transforming sectors. These technologies have a significant impact on healthcare since they help with disease prediction, diagnosis, and therapy. In the Covid-19 scenario, data scientists were successful in predicting the pandemic’s urge and dips. Apart from the healthcare, data science has wide applications in finance, e-commerce, transport and energy sectors. Though data science needs are ubiquitous and firms are employing data scientists increasingly, some of the top recruiters are Amazon, Deloitte, EY, IBM, HDFC, ITC, Reliance, etc.
Understanding the role and scope of data science, educational institutions have started offering undergraduate courses in data science. We will outline a few institutions that offer undergraduate data science programmes in this blog.
Institutions Offering Data Science UG Programs
1. IIT Jodhpur
IIT Jodhpur offers an undergraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science from the academic year 2020-21. Courses in computer science, mathematics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and their applications in diverse domains are included in the curriculum. Students can also investigate specific fields such as visual computing, socio-digital realities, language technologies, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence of Things during the course. Students will have the option to pursue an MBA (Tech) as a dual degree option in the School of Management and Entrepreneurship in the fifth year, building on their fundamental expertise in AI and Data Science. A unique element of the B Tech degree is the option for interested students to select a minor subject that will prepare them for a career as an entrepreneur.
2. IIIT Naya Raipur
From the year 2019, IIIT Naya Raipur in Chattisgarh offers a BTech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The program lays equal emphasis on practical as well as theoretical knowledge through various minor projects and a major project/thesis. It also provides exposure to deep learning and big data.
3. SRM University
From the year 2018, under the IDEAL(Interdisciplinary Experiential Active Learning) framework adopted by SRM, it offers the flexibility to choose a specialization in data science. So, a student can choose a BTech major with specialization or a BTech major with a minor in data science. Students can also choose a specialization in data science and artificial intelligence, blockchain, blockchain, IoT, etc. The specialization in data science is offered in association with IBM. While the specializations and minors are offered in multiple campuses, the data science specialization is available in the Haryana campus.
4. ICFAI University
ICFAI offers 3 year BSc. Data Analytics and 4-year BTech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. It is offered from multiple campuses including Hyderabad, Himachal Pradesh, Raipur, etc. The program is interdisciplinary in nature as it allows students to choose electives from humanities subjects. The first year comprises basic induction, the second year is diploma level while the third year is degree level. The program equips students with practical knowledge of data science through internships in the first and second year. Students also need to submit two capstone projects in the final year.
Recommended Read: The Next Big Thing: What is a Career in Data Science All About?
5. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham offers a 3 year BCA in Data Science. This course focuses on bridging the gap between industry and academia by incorporating cutting-edge technology into the curriculum and providing research-based training. It also provides exposure to data visualization, big data analytics, data governance, and IoT. Some advanced electives include soft computing, quantum computing, bioinformatics, and blockchain technologies.
6. Karnavati University
Karnavati University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat offers a BSc. Computer Science with specialization in Data Science. The aim of the course is to help students develop skills to address and solve social and environmental problems with ethics and perform multidisciplinary projects with advanced technologies and tools. The curriculum focuses on imparting industry-relevant skills Design Thinking, AWS, R, Tableau, etc.
7. Amity University
Amity Institute of Information Technology, Kolkata offers a 3-year BSc(Hons) in Data Science. The program offers a wide range of electives to choose from. Along with programming languages, and software development, the curriculum includes advanced subjects like cyber security and software modeling. It also offers outdoor activity-based learning and a mandatory foreign business language.
Recommended Read: Top 10 Undergraduate Data Science Programs
8. Vijaybhoomi University
Vijaybhoomi School of Science and Technology in Mumbai offers a 3 years BS in Data Science. The programme is specially developed around the application of data sciences to solve real-life problems and will enable students to realize their dreams of pursuing fulfilling careers as Data Scientists, Consultants, Entrepreneurs, Chief Digital Officers & Chief Executive Officers. During the course, students will also enhance their soft skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, effective communication, and creativity.
9. Savitribai Phule Pune University
From the year 2020-21, K. K. Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research, Nashik under Savitribai Phule Pune University offers a 4-year BE in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. This 4-year degree course consists of 8 semesters including foundation and core courses, elective courses in Artificial Intelligence and data science, Skill development courses, audit courses which includes Foreign Language, MOOCs as well as soft skill courses, seminars, Mini and Major projects, and project-based learning. DY Patil College of Engineering in Pune
Affiliated to the Savitribai Phule Pune University also offers the same course.
10. Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bangalore offers a 3-year BA(Data Sciences). The course emphasizes analytical skills while laying foundations in the humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts. Basic disciplines such as mathematics, statistics, computer programming, and computer science are taught to lay the groundwork for analytical skills.
The programme consists of a one-week social immersion, two weeks of industry experience, and a six-week foreign exposure (visit to an American institution). The participants will visit an American University for 6 weeks and take courses at the University that are specifically designed for them. There will be a Certificate of Participation given by the American University for the courses learned there. The participants will have the alumni status of that University. However, no joint degree Certification between MAHE and the foreign University will be awarded.
Few Other Universities That Offer a Data Science Course
- Sage University
- Sharda University
- GITAM University
- NIMAS(National Institute of Management and Administration), Kolkata
- KL University
Apart from the above, the below-mentioned colleges offer an online BSc degree in Data Science.
- IIT Madras
- NMIMS
- Jain University
Most of the universities would have eligibility criteria for BSc and BTech degrees in data science. For a BSc degree, the eligibility would be Mathematics as a compulsory subject while for a BTech, Physics, and Mathematics or Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics would be required in the 12th class.
Conclusion
Aspiring students should thoroughly review the programmes offered in the blog and conduct an additional study on the institute’s respective websites as universities revise their eligibility criteria and offerings.
To find out if data science is the right fit for you, you can take an online career counseling test. Along with a scientifically-backed assessment that measures your fitment for different careers, career coaches at Mindler are there to guide you through the career decisions you need to take at each step.
Are you still confused regarding your decision to plan a career in this field; then you should join our ‘Virtual Internship Programs’ in ‘Data Science’ and get yourself upskilled and certified by Mindler and resolve all your doubts.
