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In the marketplace: New STEM courses and online resources

Remaining a tech-savvy educator means keeping on top of the myriad changes and trends in education, how technology can support those trends, and how teaching and learning can best benefit from near-constant change.

Below, we’ve gathered some of the latest and most relevant marketplace news to keep you up-to-date on product developments, teaching and learning initiatives, and new trends in education.

Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science will launch a new bachelor’s degree program in computational biology next fall, complementing the Computational Biology Department’s existing Ph.D. and master’s degree programs. The undergraduate degree program at one of the world’s leading computer science schools will prepare students for positions now in high demand in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, as well as for medical school and graduate studies across the spectrum of computation and biology. Read more [1].

Davidson College and Revature, a technology talent development company, announced a strategic partnership to provide a robust, tuition-free online coding program to Davidson students and recent graduates. RevaturePro, Revature’s online flagship training program, offers any Davidson student or graduate the tuition-free opportunity to learn modern software development languages, jump-starting a career in coding with top companies. The program is self-paced and features 18 courses in enterprise-level, next-generation and niche technologies. From beginner to advanced, coursework includes real-world projects, a mentor and access to certifications. Read more [2].

Online education provider Coursera announced 60+ new affordable courses and specializations that teach a wide range of career-related skills, from data analytics for business, to user interface design, to beginning Chinese. Coursera Specializations are series of courses designed to build skill or subject mastery; learners who complete a Specialization receive Specialization Certificates from world-renowned schools like Stanford University, Yale University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, and Rice University. Read more [3].

To further align its curriculum with today’s career fields, helping to close the national workforce skills gap, DeVry University added two new certificates in website design and website development in its College of Media Arts & Technology. The certificates are part of the university’s strategy to offer more technology-focused, “stackable” programs, which enable students to earn a certificate or associate degree and apply the course credits toward the next-level degree. Read more [4].

Men still outnumber women in STEM training and employment, and engineering leaders are working to bring awareness to that diversity gap and the opportunities it presents. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, only 29 percentof STEM jobs are held by women, although women comprise more than half of the national workforce. The gender disparity has narrowed only slightly over the past two decades, and applies especially to working engineers in all STEM fields. Read more [5].

Data is growing in complexity and volume, leaving organizations overwhelmed and scrambling to find the sophisticated tools and techniques needed to harness its value. Demand for high-level experts who can not only manage data, but also leverage it to provide actionable insights, has surged to unprecedented levels. To help address the growing demand, Western Governors University has launched a new Master of Science Data Analytics degree. Designed in collaboration with industry experts, the MSDA Program provides experienced professionals with the advanced training they need to grow their careers and tackle the most complex challenges posed by Big Data. Read more [6].