Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) is seeing increased interest in its Data Science program as students prepare for a future shaped by data-driven decision-making. Alec Brooks, a student at TMCC, said, “I have always experienced an internal tug of war between having an analytical and artistic personality. Data Science scratches both of these itches.” He described his fascination with how data can be used to explain the world from both mathematical and artistic perspectives.
Brooks believes that the relevance of data science will continue despite advances in artificial intelligence. “Whether it’s private business, public policy, or academic research, the need for data science is growing every day. Even as a student not working in the field yet, it has become incredibly clear to me that Data Science is and will be an important factor in the future across industries, and for this reason, it is an incredibly exciting time to get into the world of data,” he said.
Brooks is pursuing an Associate of Data Science degree at TMCC and plans to transfer to Nevada State University in Henderson to complete his bachelor’s degree. At TMCC, students are taught to use data creatively and critically across various fields.
Data science combines math, statistics, and programming with practical applications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment for data scientists to grow by 36% by 2033—a rate much faster than average for all occupations.
“These days, I really strongly feel like everyone, and all students, need to know data science because data is everywhere,” said Eriko Sakamura, a Data Science Instructor at TMCC. “It’s not just coding. It’s math, statistics, storytelling and problem-solving. You can apply it to anything – business, healthcare, ecology and even education.”
Sakamura emphasized that many people misunderstand what constitutes data science. She introduces her students to real-life projects such as analyzing flower bloom patterns or mapping tree measurements: “I mentor students on real projects from analyzing flower bloom patterns and weather to mapping tree measurements,” she said. “They get to clean the data, build models and discover something no one else has.”
She also noted that prior experience in coding or statistics is not required for entry into TMCC’s program.
The curriculum at TMCC prepares students either for transfer or direct entry into careers involving significant use of data analysis tools like R, Python and SQL. Students participate in hands-on learning through final projects and undergraduate research opportunities.
“When students can ask their own questions and analyze the data themselves, they’re empowered,” Sakamura explained. “They don’t have to wait for someone else to explain the world to them.”
Brooks credits Sakamura’s teaching style with helping him find enthusiasm for the field: “Her focus on analysis of realistic situations... brings a very personal approach to data... [Data science] is a tool you can apply to real-life choices you make every day,” he said.
In their first semester at TMCC, students take Introduction to Data Science (DATA 101), Introduction to SQL for Data Science (DATA 210), Introduction to Computing (CS 105), along with general studies courses. In their second semester they enroll in Practical Statistics (APST 207) or Introduction to Statistics (STAT 152). By their third semester they may engage in undergraduate research through Research Methods for Data Science (DATA 220), often working on mentored faculty projects covering topics such as local park ecology or video game analytics.
“My time at TMCC has been an incredible experience," Brooks stated. "The professors are engaging supportive,and understanding... For many of my professors at TMCC,I can say in full confidence that they truly want their students succeed... To me,this most important thing as student."
As he transfers onward,Brooks hopes pursue career academic research government agency.Sakamura wants more students consider studying discipline:"Data science gives students power answer own questions.Whether understanding trend solving problem making better decision,it tool carry life.That walk away with,"she concluded.
TMCC's program receives partial funding from Nevada's Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada Fund administered by the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development.