***This program is pending approval by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Approval is anticipated in early 2025 at which time decisions can be made on applications.***
The Ph.D. in Data Science (DTSC) is transdisciplinary by design and lays emphasis on the mastery of the data science tools and methodologies and on responsible stewardship of data to cover the broad value of data science in various domains across society. Strong emphasis is placed on providing students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in multiple data science application domains.
The program provides research intensive doctoral-level education for students seeking Data Science careers in practice, research and teaching/academia. It is intended to produce researchers fluent in the emerging field of data science and to develop an environment for their education and training. The objectives of the Data Science Ph.D. include:
- Preparing research data scientists, professional data scientists, and scholars/academicians who will be leaders in developing, maintaining, and managing data ethically and effectually to sustain the economic and social vibrancy of North Carolina and the United States;
- Developing research data scientists who have a deep understanding of data, statistics, computing, and ethics frameworks such that they can build new knowledge across fields and society by appropriate data collection, methods development, and deep analysis;
- Providing a range of educational and research experiences for a diverse group of students to participate in research initiatives at UNC Charlotte, Private, Public, and International institutions; and,
- Preparing future data science educators, and scholars, who are at the frontiers of understanding and disseminating data science knowledge.