Study Data Science
Data Science is one of the fastest growing majors at UW-Madison. Whether you are interested in a data science career, course, or workshop, opportunities abound here! Learn about undergraduate majors, graduate programs, the data science certificate, workshops, and internships and careers.
Explore Campus Resources
Data science has applications in all disciplines, and Data Science @ UW is your connection to data science institutes, centers, and programs across the UW-Madison campus. It’s also the place to find research funding and resources, coding meetups, seminars and events, data science faculty and communities of practice, student organizations, and more!
Collaborate With Us
Data science innovation at UW-Madison furthers the Wisconsin Idea by fueling discovery and economic development in all corners of the state and beyond. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture in data science. Campus, industry, and community partners can benefit from our data science services.
Data Science Events
- April
- April 30Text Analysis WorkshopPractical introduction to text analysis, designed for those with Python experience9:00 AM
- April 30How to Support Children in Developing Sociocritical AI LiteraciesVanderbilt University's Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens, asst professor of human-centered technologies 1:30 PM, 159 (Wisconsin Idea), Education Building
- April 30
News and Announcements
Data Science for Earth Day
Earth Day, held each year on April 22, is a global event with local roots. Here are a few examples of data science research, tools, and learning opportunities at UW–Madison that help realize the vision of Earth Day.
Inaugural Open Award Recipients Recognized at the Research Bazaar
On March 20th, campus leaders were recognized at the UW–Madison Open Awards for their significant contributions to open scholarship and open source. Additionally, the ceremony recognized thirteen inaugural inductees into the Open Hall of Fame.
Thank You, Research Bazaar Sponsors!
The Data Science Research Bazaar was a big success, and it would not have been possible without the support of our generous campus and industry sponsors.
UW Research Partnership Yields First-of-its-Kind Soil Data Algorithm
University of Wisconsin professor of soil science Jingyi Huang and data scientist Maria Oros developed a new modeling tool for soil scientists. The pair used machine learning and public data to build the Soil Organic Carbon Assistant, which models changes in soil organic carbon.
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Faces of Data Science
“Some students fear the unknown, or they are just really nervous about what classes to take. I can remember that uncertainty. At that point in your life, you think every decision you make determines your entire future. I try to explain to students that not knowing something is okay. The important thing is to keep learning.”
Jelena Diakonikolas
Assistant Professor, Computer Sciences
Jelena Diakonikolas wants to strengthen the algorithms that power machine learning models. She recently received an NSF CAREER Award to develop new algorithms that perform well under uncertain and changing circumstances.
Her CAREER award was inspired by a Data Science Institute symposium on AI for agriculture and forestry, where researchers voiced challenges with building models that are robust in ambiguous and changing data environments, echoing broader issues with how machine learning models are trained and used today. Many algorithms assume that training data and real-world data are the same, which often isn’t true. Additionally, data may change once a model is used. For instance, implementing a new policy based on collected data may change the data itself. Diakonikolas’s work will address limitations in current machine learning approaches, creating algorithms that can power models that are accurate and stable.
Growing up in Serbia, Diakonikolas excelled at math and computer sciences, but lacked exposure and opportunities for rigorous academic research. Her decision to move to the U.S. for graduate school helped her grow as a researcher and build confidence. As a teacher, she encourages her students to address uncertainty in their lives by keeping an open mind and trying new things.