OnlineCSU Receives Funding For Two New Programs in Data Mining
For Immediate Release
HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 12 — The Connecticut State University in
conjunction with Central Connecticut State University has received $60,000
in grants to develop and offer two new online programs leading to a
certificate or a master’s degree in data mining.
Both the certificate program and the master’s degree program, which may
be the first of its kind to be available entirely online, will be developed
and taught by faculty at Central Connecticut State University located in New
Britain. Both programs will be offered by CSU’s virtual classroom,
OnlineCSU.
“Data mining is an exciting and evolving field of study, and we believe
that the cutting-edge programs being developed by Central Connecticut State
University’s faculty will prepare students to meet a growing need and
succeed as information technology professionals,” said Herman Lujan, CSU’s
chief academic officer.
Only a handful of schools currently offer master’s degree programs in
data mining, including Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Lyon in
France and the University of East Anglia in England. None of these
institutions offers a data mining program exclusively online, according to
Daniel T. Larose, an assistant professor of statistics at Central
Connecticut State University who will develop and serve as director of the
two OnlineCSU programs. Other CCSU faculty directly involved in the
development of these programs are Chun Jin, Joan Calvert and Daniel S.
Miller.
Data mining experts are among the most sought-after professionals in
information technology. Data mining entails the analysis of information from
customers, partners and suppliers to provide predictive information.
Applications of data mining include fraud detection, credit card scoring and
personal profile marketing.
The certificate program, which will begin offering classes in the fall
2001, was awarded a $25,000 grant. The master’s degree program, which will
begin classes in January 2002, received a $35,000 grant. Both grants were
awarded by the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium.
The CCSU programs offered through OnlineCSU will provide students with
the statistical and mathematical foundation for data mining, in addition to
hands-on experience with state-of-the-art software. A student could complete
the 12-credit certificate program and two prerequisite courses in a year.
The master’s degree program will require students to complete 30 credits in
required courses. Among these will be courses in statistics, computer
science, mathematics and engineering technology. Prerequisite courses in
mathematics and computer programming also will be offered as part of the
master’s program.
The Connecticut State University System, which includes Central
Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University and
Western Connecticut State University, began offering web-based classes via
OnlineCSU in 1998. OnlineCSU offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate
courses, including one full degree program, a master of library science
offered by Southern Connecticut State University. More than 3,000 students
have taken courses through OnlineCSU and enrollment for Spring 2001 will
exceed 800 students.
The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium is a partnership of public
and private colleges and universities offering online college programs that
is funded by the state of Connecticut.
Contact: Dean Golembeski, CSU Public Relations, (860) 493-0093,
