Recognizing that data-focused processes and technology are transforming business, academia, civic life and society, UC Santa Barbara is rolling out the campus-wide Data Science Initiative to inform many aspects of teaching and research. Students from all majors will acquire both basic and advanced data tools and techniques that will help them make evidence-based discoveries and decisions in your company.
Acknowledging UC Santa Barbara’s leadership in preparing the next generation of data scientists, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded UC Santa Barbara a three-year, nearly $920,000 grant to fund what is known as the Central Coast Data Science Initiative. The program will support coursework and project-based classes at the community college and undergraduate levels at four partnering colleges and universities. The program will look to corporate partners who can provide expertise and mentorship, real-life data and long-term funding to help graduate the next generation of data science-enabled professionals.
Putting Big Data to Use in Solving Environmental Problems
A joint endeavor between the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, the Master of Environmental Data Science (MEDS) program trains students in data science skills with a focus on environmental data and problems. This intensive Master's program teaches programming, data visualization, spatial analysis, and machine learning tools to prepare graduates for technical roles in any public or private sectors with an environmental focus.
“In light of the importance of data for research and commerce, the development of data science is increasingly crucial for the research and education community. How do we train a workforce of professionals who can use data to its best advantage? What should we teach them? How do we advance the field of data science so it can support the increasing role of data in all spheres?”
—Realizing the potential of Data Science, NSF Computer and Information Science and Engineering Advisory Committee Data Science Working Group
Corporate Partnership Opportunities
Support, Build Relationships, Collaborate
Corporate partnership and investment are crucial to the development of the workforce. Explore the ways your support can help.
Corporate Data Science Seed Fund
This flexible fund supports the UC Santa Barbara Data Science Initiative and provide students and researchers with the resources for research projects, data science conference attendance, program and curriculum development costs, tutoring programs and faculty recruitment.
Data Science Postdoc Fellowships
UC Santa Barbara data science postdocs have an enormous impact across the university through preparing students to master data science and its derivatives and through attracting additional scholars, faculty and researchers to campus.
Environmental Data Science Fellowships
Awarded to the most promising individuals that contribute to diversity, fellowships enable MEDS students to pursue meaningful and influential careers in the rapidly expanding field of environmental data science, with potential to impact businesses, non-profits, and government agencies.
Environmental Data Science Research
Bren School research has a significant global impact on the most crucial environmental challenges of our day, applying deep subject matter expertise across disciplines to provide intellectual leadership, and propel insight with implications for public policy, corporate environmental management, science, and management.