Data science is a multidisciplinary field – it involves the use of statistics and computational methods in order to derive meaning from various structured and unstructured forms of data. The history of data science can be traced back to the early 20th century. The field of data science and analysis that we know of today, began to develop in the mid-1960s. It was during the same period, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) was being talked about and researchers were developing machine learning algorithms. Today, with the advancement of computer technology and increased availability of data, the field of data science has become even more important. As one of the leading colleges for data science in India, we have curated some useful insights on the history of data science.

1. Statistician John W. Tukey was one of the pioneers of data science. He is regarded as the father of modern data analysis. He is known to have developed new statistical methods and data visualisation techniques such as the box plot and stem-and-leaf display. His findings have made it considerably easier to understand and analyse data.
2. Many computer scientists and statisticians in the late 1960s and early 1970s, began to collaborate on developing new methods for the purpose of data analysis and pattern recognition. This eventually led to the emergence of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is aimed to create machines that could process and analyse data in ways similar to human experts. It is expected to create human-like outputs and responses from machines.
3. With the introduction of new machine learning algorithms and availability of advanced computer systems and software tools in the later half of the 1980s and early 1990s, data science continued to evolve. Simultaneously, businesses began to realise the importance of using advanced technology to improve their hold on the industry. They wanted to utilise the potential of using data to make more informed decisions. That would automatically lead to the creation of new data-driven industries and the development of data warehousing and business intelligence technologies.
4. The term “data science” was coined in the early 2000s. In 2001, William S. Cleveland wrote a paper titled “Data Science: An Action Plan for Expanding the Technical Areas of the Field of Statistics”. In the paper he defined and coined the term “data science.
5. Recently, data science is known to have experienced a rapid expansion which is driven by the growth of the internet and the increasing availability of data. The data sources range from social media, sensors to Internet of Things (IoT). This eventually led to new developments in areas such as big data, predictive analytics, and data visualisation. It also made data science an increasingly important tool for organisations across a wide range of industries.

Despite its relatively short history, data science has already had a profound impact in the technological world and the field of business. It is likely to play an even more important role in the upcoming years.

Want to pursue a bachelor of computer science in data science? Looking for colleges for data science in India?

If you are looking for colleges in data science in India, explore our B.Sc. (Hons.) Computer Science with specialisation in Data Science. The course is aimed at helping students study data using statistical and computational techniques. Here are some of the details that you might find useful:

Program Specific Outcomes (PSO):
B.Sc. (Hons) Computer Science with Specialization in Data Science

PS01: Students of data science degree courses are prepared to become leaders in the society with advanced knowledge and skills that can be used to analyse, design and implement solutions for a better world.

PSO2 – Ability to develop skills and apply advanced technologies in order to address social, environmental and ethical issues.

PSO3 – Implement professional knowledge in setting up a road map to be an entrepreneur and identify research areas.