One of the most important current challenges is how to interpret the large volumes of data that our society generates continuously. The social networks, personalized medicine, recommendation systems or the smart cities that are already part of our daily lives are clear examples. Data science uses a set of fundamentals and principles in order to analyse and extract knowledge and information from these large volumes of data as a mechanism to support the decision-making process.

Two years ago, Pompeu Fabra University began designing a new bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Engineering in Data Science and has been a pioneer in Spain to obtain accreditation for a degree of such characteristics. According to Xavier Binefa, coordinator of the new degree, “the ability to extract information from large volumes of data will open the doors to solving problems that had not been posed until now”.

The new course comes in response to the requirement of a new academic profile with a labour demand that is currently very high. The degree may be taught in English and, from the outset, it will have strong links with enterprise, which will facilitate students’ transition to the working world after finishing their studies. It is important to mention that the Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DTIC) is the only Engineering Department in Spain to have the Maria de Maeztu accreditation of excellence in the field of Data-Driven Knowledge Extraction.

“Data science requires a new professional profile with skills that go beyond traditional engineering”, affirms Vicenç Gómez, professor of the master’s degree in Intelligent Interactive Systems and Ramón y Cajal researcher of the DTIC.

The new degree is aimed at students who like mathematics and computing. Future graduates in Mathematical Engineering in Data Science will be trained to work in the leading fields in research, technology and innovation: biomedicine, communication and networks, multimedia, intelligent systems, business analysis, financial technology, etc.

“The key to improve in several areas of our society, such as health, climate change or social inequality is to understand the information we generate”, says Ana Freire, a teacher with the Polytechnic School (ESUP) at UPF.

It will be possible to study the new bachelor’s degree at Pompeu Fabra University starting in the 2017-2018 academic year. For all those who are interested in this new educational opportunity, some briefings will be held from February to April 2017 on the content, organization, expectations, available places, registration, etc.

Schedule and registration to briefings on the new degree:

25 February at 12.30 am

11 March at 10.30 am

25 March at 12.30 am

22 April at 10:30 am

At the Poblenou campus Pompeu Fabra University (Roc Boronat, 138. Barcelona).