Information Management and Data Science

Overview

Skagit Valley College is offering a new forward-thinking, interdisciplinary program that will allow students to serve as a contractor, consult for businesses, or get an entry level job in the area of information management and data science. The Information Management & Data Science (IMDS) program will focus on preparing students to lead and thrive in a cloud-driven industry and determine, analyze, and communicate relevant information and data in a variety of workplace settings. IMDS is an interdisciplinary and technologically forward-thinking two-year degree focusing on the theory, organization, and process of data collection, transmission, analysis, and utilization. IMDS focuses on four broad areas:

Professional communication
Business leadership
Decision making
Systems design, development, operations

Content includes information classification and organization; information storage and processing; communications; systems planning and design; human interfacing and use analysis; database development; information policy analysis; and related aspects of software, economics, social factors, and capacity. Students will acquire invaluable experience in teamwork, decision-making, leadership, and develop a growth mindset right along with learning essential technology skills.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the SVC Information Management & Data Science program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate mastery of industry-grade technologies in data analysis techniques.
Address business needs and opportunities using data-driven approaches.
Optimize information management ecosystems in the cloud, networks, and physical premises using ethical practices and security standards.

Program Admissions:

Enrollment for Fall will begin in May. To get started, please contact Enrollment Services .

Specialized Program Information:

Program Highlights

Offered online with weekly cohort connect via Zoom.
Program cohort has Fall entry.
Industry certifications are intertwined in the courses; students will have the option to prepare and certify for industry certifications during the entirety of their degree program. Both Amazon and Microsoft technologies are in demand in the marketplace today.
Begin with building basic skills in data analysis and database fundamentals, then moving on to more intermediate and advanced concepts and applied skills such as working with non-relational data, data visualization, and finally exploring data science and machine learning.
Career readiness, integrated real-world projects and internships.
Upon completion, workforce degrees are intended to give students the skills needed to move directly into employment. While these degrees are not intended to transfer to a university, IMDS graduates will be eligible to apply for admissions to two of Skagit Valley College’s Bachelor’s programs: Bachelor of Applied Science - Applied Management, BAS degree and Bachelor of Applied Science in Application Development.

Work-Based Learning

Cooperative education is integrated in two-parts. Students work on product ideation during the first year and then product deployment during their second year.

Degree Option:

This program offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree, AAS Degree in Information Management & Data Science. During their first year, students will be introduced to foundational hands-on-skills in the general areas of technological futures, cloud computing, and programming. In the second year, students will continue with more advanced topics in information systems, computing architecture, and development. The program will be offered online with weekly cohort connects via Zoom. Industry certifications are intertwined throughout the courses giving students the option to prepare and certify for industry certifications. The program will also include experiential learning through two cooperative education internship courses where students will work on product ideation and product deployment.

Programs

Associate Degrees: Workforce

Intended to give students the skills needed to move directly into employment.

Information Management and Data Science, AAS