Birmingham-Southern College is partnering with the Flatiron School to create a 12-week accelerated data science program this summer, a first-of-its kind program for undergraduate students in the state, according to BSC.
“Closing the workforce gap is necessary to fuel the city’s fastest-growing companies,” BSC President Daniel B. Coleman said. “BSC will have an even more significant impact on Birmingham’s future by teaching data science and how to apply it across disciplines in the liberal arts, and by providing internships to our students at the companies that are most likely to create new jobs. BSC will help close the gap in highly skilled labor and enable Birmingham to grow. This problem isn’t unique to Birmingham — cities across the country need to fill data science positions — and our students will be prepared to work anywhere. ”
Based in New York and offering classes online and at eight campuses around the country, the Flatiron School specializes in software engineering, data science and cybersecurity.
The program has limited enrollment and is open to current BSC students as well as students from other colleges who can receive transferable credits. On-campus housing will be available for the program, which will also be available to employees from area companies.
“This is not a boot camp,” Coleman said. “What makes the BSC program different is that while it does instill knowledge of programming and coding, it does so in the context of how that knowledge will be applied to serve a wide range of industries, businesses, and professions. This is the kind of program typically delivered at the graduate school level, and we are pleased to offer it as part of the BSC experience.”
BSC students who complete the program will receive paid internships with a local company, and others will have the opportunity to apply for internships.
“Our hope is that these internships lead to full-time positions, helping to further build the pool of talented graduates who launch their careers in Alabama,” Coleman said.
The Accelerated Data Science Program: Summer 2021 will take place May 24 through Aug. 13. Cost of the program is $6,600 for BSC students and 2019 and 2020 BSC grads and $9,500 for all others.
Applications are open through March 30. No prior data science or programming experience is necessary. Those interested can sign up for an online information session that will take place Feb. 10.
