POTSDAM -- Clarkson University has announced it is offering a new bachelor’s degree in data science.

The National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has “identified data science as an emerging discipline for tackling many of the world’s most important problems,” the announcement from the university says.

“The Data Science program at Clarkson has been designed from a science perspective, building the deep understanding which enables our students to evolve with this rapidly changing field,” mathematics chair Joseph Skufca said in a statement from the school.

The program concentrates on mathematics, statistics, computer science, and data processing. Students are “expected to apply those skills in specific topics with team projects and hands-on learning,” the school said.

“You would be hard pressed to find a company that is not looking to hire expertise in the area of data science,” said Skufca. “It is a critical skill for future success in nearly every industry.”

The program consists of 35 credit hours in mathematics and statistics, six credit hours in a specially designated “Data Science” course, and six credits of application electives, along with 22 credit hours in computer science and information systems, plus 24 credit hours of free electives.

The data science program was approved by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) in July, and will be ramping up over the next academic year.

The first full cohort for the new major will be admitted in the fall of 2019 as part of Clarkson’s Class of 2023.