For Philip Bourne, a leading data science researcher and the new director of the University of Virginia’s Data Science Institute, mining today’s massive data sets for truth and wisdom – and then sharing that insight with others – is an abiding passion.

“Data science is touching everything we do,” said Philip E. Bourne, director of the Data Science Institute and Stephenson Chair of Data Science. “The projects we support have the potential to impact people’s lives in real and precise ways.”

As Big Data plays a growing role in business decisions around the world, graduates who combine solid business strategy with an in-depth knowledge of computer science, statistics and analytics will be uniquely positioned to make an impact.