Data Science at Middle Tennessee State University is thrilled to announce three new courses, each offering unique topics in one of today’s most important and fast-evolving fields. These courses are designed to not only expand students’ technical skills but also deepen their critical thinking and global awareness. Whether you’re a first-year student exploring data for the first time or an upper-level student looking to expand your horizons, there’s something new and exciting waiting for you.
DATA 1010 – Using Artificial Intelligence in Action
Launching in Fall 2025, Using Artificial Intelligence in Action is a forward-thinking course designed to help students make sense of the tools and technologies shaping our future. This course introduces the core principles and real-world applications of artificial intelligence (AI), while also encouraging students to critically evaluate the benefits and challenges of using AI-based tools. From understanding how AI systems work to analyzing their social and ethical implications, students will walk away with a clearer view of how AI impacts our lives and how to engage with it responsibly. DATA 1010 satisfies the scientific literacy (explorations) requirement in the True Blue Core and is ideal for students who want to explore AI without needing a technical background.
DATA 2025 – Communicating with Data
Officially launched in Fall 2024, Communicating with Data is a foundational course in MTSU’s True Blue Core curriculum. This class is designed to help students understand and articulate data in ways that are meaningful across academic, personal, and professional contexts. Students explore the fundamentals of working with data—interpreting trends, identifying patterns, and building narratives that are both compelling and accurate. The course also addresses the increasingly relevant ethical considerations surrounding the use of data in society. With its focus on non-written communication, DATA 2025 is a perfect fit for students from any major who want to become more data-literate and effective communicators in today’s information-rich world.
DATA 4840 – Study Abroad / Study Away
For students looking to take their education beyond the classroom, DATA 4840 – Study Abroad provides an immersive learning experience that places data science in a global context. Whether through international study abroad or domestic study away, this course explores how economic, cultural, social, and political factors influence the data landscape in different parts of the world. Students gain hands-on exposure to how data is collected, interpreted, and applied across diverse settings—enhancing not only their academic understanding but also their cultural competence and adaptability. This course is a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their global awareness while applying their skills in real-world environments.
With these three courses—Communicating with Data, Using Artificial Intelligence in Action, and Study Abroad—MTSU continues to demonstrate its commitment to making data science accessible, relevant, and deeply connected to the world around us. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking to take your skills to the next level, these new courses offer exciting new ways to explore what it means to think, work, and live in a data-driven world. Keep an eye on your course catalog and speak with your advisor—because the future of data is here, and it starts with you!