Building fundamentals
Data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics are a few of the latest courses finding favour with science students
Irene.Saha@timesgroup.com
23.01.2022
Science is one of the most favoured streams as far as options after 10+2 are concerned. While many students take up professional courses after their board exams, there are many who take the path less trod as in go in for higher studies. Data science, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotics are a few courses that are finding favour with students these days.
With every industry in the midst of digital disruption and connected devices generating massive amounts of data, applied data science along with ML will play a critical role in making high quality business decisions and implementing scalable solutions. According to the World Economic Forum, data science, data architecture, data analysis, and data engineering are on track to become most favoured career paths by 2022; and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11. 5 million career openings in these fields by 2026. Alongside the US, India is expected to be a prominent global hub for data science. Recent data suggests that hundreds of thousands of job openings in data science are available to professionals with less than five years of experience.
A STRATEGIC APPROACH
Data science is an interdisciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data and apply knowledge and actionable insights from data across abroad range of application domains. Elaborating on this branch of science, Dr B Ravindran, the head of a research institute and professor of computer science, says, “Mastering data science requires a strategic approach. Young professionals need to focus equally on building strong fundamentals and applying the learnings to solve real world problems across multiple industry domains. ”
INTELLIGENT MACHINES
AI is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. With a growing number of companies using these technologies to improve their products and services, evaluate their business models, and enhance their decision-making process, the importance of AI and ML has been increasing.
AI courses prepare specialists who create intelligent machines and systems, which perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence like playing games or understanding natural language. Popular examples of AI include chess-playing computers or self-driving cars. They rely on neural networks, deep learning, and natural language processing to analyse large amounts of data, find patterns, and make predictions and decisions based on relevant information.
ML is a more specialised subdiscipline of AI. It teaches students how to use algorithms and statistical models to create computer systems which can learn for themselves. These computer systems use data and self-generated feedback (trial and error)to perform tasks without receiving instructions from programmers. An example of a ML system is the picture recognition software used by companies like Google or Apple.
ASSISTING HUMANS
Robotics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates computer science and engineering. It involves design, construction, operation, and use of robots. The goal of robotics is to design machines that can help and assist humans. In fact, robots are changing healthcare today. Robots in medicine help by relieving medical personnel from routine tasks that take their time away from more pressing responsibilities and by making medical procedures safer and less costly for patients. They can also perform accurate surgery in tiny places and transport dangerous substances.
NASA also uses robots in many different ways. Robotic arms on spacecraft can move large objects in space. Robotic spacecraft can visit other worlds. Robotic airplanes can fly without a pilot aboard. Robots help explore space. Spacecraft that explore other worlds, like the moon or Mars, are robots.
Science is indeed revolutionising our world today and what better way to ride the wave than to take up a branch of it!
Data science refers to extraction of knowledge from large volumes of data (that is big data) that are structured or unstructured, which is continuation of data mining and predictive ana-lytics. It involves different categories of analytical approaches for modelling various types of business scenarios and arriving at solution and strategies for optimal decision-making in marketing, finance, operations, organisational behaviour, and other managerial aspects. This new field of study breaks down into a number of different areas, from constructing big data infrastructure and configuring the various server tools that sit on top.
Dr Arun Rajkumar, program director and a core member of a research institute, says, “This program is best suited for early career professionals eager to build strong data science expertise. Several leading RBCDSAI faculty and experts from an interdisciplinary background will teach live and interactive online classes and mentor participants as they learn hands-on and work on capstones across diverse industry domains such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, software engineering, smart cities, etc. We also aim to include a campus visit towards the end of the program so that participants can benefit from the real-life experience. ”
The priority of students has changed since the pandemic struck last year. With the focus likely to shift to blended learning combining education at home and at the institute even when normalcy returns, most students now want to stay back and pursue professional courses here instead of travelling to some other place. Aiding them in their decision is the quality of educa- tion imparted in this part of the country. The institutes in Gujarat are at par with those in the rest of the country. The students who enrol here are screened through entrance examinations.
According to Prof Saikat Maitra, the vice-chancellor of a university, says, “Technological revolution demands new skill sets in the job market. In sync with that, we have restructured our programmes and putting more stress on courses based on AI, cyber security, data analytics, robotics, digital marketing and so on. ”
No comments:
Post a Comment