Berkeley

UC Berkeley’s First Data Science Majors Celebrate Graduation

Published

6 years ago

December 20, 2018

Eight of the nine data science majors who graduated December 15 gathered in the Division of Data Sciences on December 14 to celebrate their achievement. From left: Jeevan Reddy Mokkala, Emanuel Lucban, Adam Osborn, Nikhil Krishnan, Thao Vo,
Alexander Ivanoff, Liam Shi and Howe Cui. Not pictured: Ting Chih Lin. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson).

Alexander Ivanoff couldn’t get enough data science.
After taking the introductory course Foundations of Data Science (Data 8) in the fall semester of his sophomore year, the UC Berkeley senior wanted to find out where else the numbers could take him. He also wanted to spread his new enthusiasm for data with other students, especially those who may not consider themselves “number people.”
He paired up with Vinitra Swamy and faculty member Niek Veldhuis to form one of the first data science “modules” — teams of students and faculty collaborating to build computational teaching tools for subjects ranging from history to cognitive neuroscience – and within months was creating a new platform for students to analyze ancient Sumerian texts in Veldhuis’s Cuneiform languages class.
One of the tools they developed was a language analysis software that could help pinpoint where different characters appeared in various texts, unveiling clues about what the Sumerians thought was important, which characters were related and what they did.
“Veldhuis took us to the anthropology museum and we got to literally hold ancient Sumerian clay tablets to connect on that next level with what they are doing,” Ivanoff said. “They showed me just how versatile data science tools were, which, combined with hearing about their capabilities in the news, made me really want to get involved more.”
On December 15, Ivanoff was one of nine students to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Data Science, the first set of degrees to be granted in this rapidly growing new major. Launched this fall, nearly 1,200 students have already filed pre-declarations for the major. Approximately 100 are expected to graduate with the degree this spring.
“The very first question on the very first day of the [pilot Data 8] class wasn’t ‘How are you going to grade the final,’ it was, ‘Will the data science major be ready in time for me to graduate?’” said David Culler, interim dean for data sciences, at an event to honor the majors on December `14.
A team was assembled over the summer to plan out the advising process for all the students, bringing together experience from across the campus. Hundreds of students got individual advising, which will allow them to navigate the expectations of the new major.
“I was originally a cognitive science and stats double major, and when they announced the data science major, I realized I could switch my do-it-yourself data science major to the actual data science major,” Ivanoff said.
The major is built upon a foundation of computer science, statistics and mathematics courses. But it doesn’t stop there. Each student is also required to specialize in a “domain,” which encourages them to apply their analytical skills to real-world problems. This year’s cohort graduates with domain emphases in cognition, computational biology methods, economics, robotics, social welfare, health and poverty, and applied mathematics and modeling.
Students say the wide breadth of applications of data science is one of the things they love about the field.
“Every time I have a new dataset I feel like I am learning something, and it makes me feel like I can always explore new things,” said Thao Vo, who chose applied math, modeling, and optimization as her emphasis.
And industry demand for tech-savvy graduates hasn’t hurt student enthusiam.
“I’m a big fan of the phrase ‘skate to where the puck is going,’” said Ivanoff, who will graduate with an emphasis in cognition. “To really be peak employable, I would want to get more technical skills under my belt, and it is great that they are already really applicable to the field that I wanted to study”
Student interest has propelled the creation of the major, said history professor Cathryn Carson, who leads the Data Science Education Program. In addition to building the module program, students have filled the first floor of Moffit Library with peer advisers and teaching consultants, and have created a host of student organizations that run workshops and industry events. They also have been essential in outreach, Carson said, helping attract new students to data science who might not feel welcome in technical fields.
“We knew that something real was going on in the outside world that the students were the signal of,” said Carson. “It took a lot of collaboration across the university, including the administration, and a lot of spurring by the students to put the major together.”
Emanuel Lucban, a non-traditional student who has more than a decade of experience in web design and I.T., also cel¬ebrated his graduation on December 15. He was inspired to go back to school after reading a 2012 New York Times article about how a statistical model developed by Target analyzed purchasing behavior to accurately predict that a woman was pregnant before her family knew – and, conveniently, sent her coupons for prenatal vita¬mins.
“The capacity to record data has increased over the past decade, and now we are finding all sorts of uses for data — things that I never would have imagined, and it was just interesting to me what kinds of things we could infer from data,” Lucban said.
Lucban took computer science classes at a local community college before transferring to UC Berkeley in 2016. Though he started as a com¬puter science major, Lucban jumped at the chance to get a degree in data science.
“I was really excited when I heard Iabout this new data science major opening up because that was my entire reason for going back to school — I eventually planned to leave here and then go to grad school for data science,” Lucban said.
“These students were motivated by their own desire to complete this major and their own sense that they could make it in the world,” Carson said. “They are a really special group.”

Kara Manke

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Activism

Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers

Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

Published

1 month ago

March 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Front Row: UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team Back Row: Girls, Inc. Participants. Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.

Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.

This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.

Oakland Post

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Lawsuit Accuses UC Schools of Giving Preference to Black and Hispanic Students

The lawsuit also alleges UC is violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars racial discrimination by federally funded institutions. In response, UC stated that race is not a factor in admissions, as per state law, and that student demographic data is collected only for statistical purposes.

Published

2 months ago

February 17, 2025

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

A lawsuit filed in federal court accuses the University of California (UC) of racial discrimination in undergraduate admissions, alleging that Black and Latino students are favored over Asian American and white applicants. The lawsuit, filed by the group Students Against Racial Discrimination, claims UC’s admissions policies violate Proposition 209, a state law passed in 1996 that prohibits the consideration of race in public education.

In response, UC stated that race is not a factor in admissions, as per state law, and that student demographic data is collected only for statistical purposes.

Stett Holbrook, a spokesperson for the UC system, said the entity had not been served with the lawsuit.

“If served, we will vigorously defend our admission practices,” said Holbrook.

“We believe this to be a meritless suit that seeks to distract us from our mission to provide California students with a world-class education,” he said.

The complaint criticizes UC’s use of a “holistic” admissions process, arguing it replaces objective academic criteria with subjective considerations that disadvantage certain racial groups. It cites admission rate disparities at UC Berkeley, noting a decrease in Black student admissions from 13% in 2010 to 10% in 2023, compared to an overall drop from 21% to 12%.

The lawsuit follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling banning affirmative action in college admissions, which has prompted challenges to race-conscious policies nationwide. The plaintiffs seek a court order preventing UC from collecting racial data in applications and request a federal monitor to oversee admissions decisions.

Oakland Post

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Black History Month in the Bay Features, Parades, Festivals and Speakers

Black History Month did not begin as Black History Month. In 1915 after the 13th Amendment was passed Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This organization sponsored the initiation of a national Negro History Week, which took place in February, the same week as Frederick Douglass’ birthday. During the Civil Rights Movement this transformed into the Black History Month we still celebrate today.

Published

3 months ago

February 1, 2025

Oakland Post

The choir performs at the 2023 Black Joy Parade. Courtesy photo By Daisha Williams.

By Daisha Williams

Black History Month is a month that is centered in teaching, learning, and honoring the journey of Black people in America. Black people in America have faced discrimination, abuse, and every kind of mistreatment. Black History Month is about recognizing not only that history, but how far the community has come despite it, and celebrating Black joy.

Black History Month did not begin as Black History Month. In 1915 after the 13th Amendment was passed Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This organization sponsored the initiation of a national Negro History Week, which took place in February, the same week as Frederick Douglas’ birthday. During the Civil Rights Movement, this transformed into the Black History Month we still celebrate today.

There are many ways that people celebrate Black History Month and as always, the Bay Area has a little bit of everything.

Most popularly, the Eighth Annual Black Joy Parade will be taking place in Downtown Oakland on Feb. 23. The parade will begin at 14th and Franklin Streets at 12:30 p.m. There will be a festival after the parade ends lasting until 7 p.m. This is the largest Black Joy Parade and sure to be a fun time. Schools, community organizations, and performers can sign up to be in the parade by Feb. 6 on the Black Joy Parade website.

In line with the spirit of the month “From Black History to Black Futures” will take place on Feb. 23 from 2-5 p.m. in Vallejo. This event will show the breadth and beauty of Black life through showcasing speakers, artistic performances, and community booths. This free celebration is hosted by a community organization, Vallejo Building Black Power and Leadership, at 4380 Sonoma Blvd suite 224. The organizers ask that attendees register on Eventbrite because of limited space.

Similar events will be happening in San Francisco and San Leandro.

In San Francisco, Thrive City is hosting a free community event that includes performances of all kinds, from music to spoken word, with the headliner being August Lee Stevens. This event will take place at the Dance Mission Theater on Feb. 1 from 12-3 p.m. Though it is free, priority will be given to people who registered on Eventbrite.

In San Leandro, there will be the Black History Month RnB Day Market at 222 Davis St. This family-friendly event will be put on by the Downtown San Leandro Community Benefit District and include live music, dance performances and a fashion show. This free event will be on Feb. 15 from 12-6 p.m.

There are other ways to celebrate this month other than community festivals and block parties. For example, the College of Marin’s Umoja group is putting together a Black History Month Poetry Reading. This event will be free and take place on Feb. 19 from 12:40 to 1:30 p.m.

At the North Berkeley Senior Center there will be a Black History Month celebration hosted by the City of Berkeley, Health, Housing and Community Services, Mental Health Division. Keynote speaker Gigi Crowder, CEO of the Contra Costa County branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will be giving a talk on Feb 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A Black History Month celebration with line dancing, music, and food will be in the Richmond Memorial Auditorium on Feb. 22 1-3 p.m. with doors opening at 12:30. This event will be hosted by the City of Richmond and attendees must register in advance. Tickets are $15 and for more details contact 510-620-6793.

Musical expression has always been a vital part of Black culture, and Black people have contributed largely to the development of many music genres. Stockton Soul is honoring Black History Month with an ensemble created to highlight the legacy of Black music with influences like Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes. The concert will be held on Feb. 15 with tickets for only $8 for adults.