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Dr. Tanima Chatterjee is a professor of computer science at Boston University and the director of undergraduate studies in the faculty of computing and data science.
Dr. Chatterjee approaches big data sets using an interdisciplinary approach. During her postdoctoral research, she worked alongside a team of molecular biologists. Her teaching combines an educational approach aimed at teaching basic skill sets as well as higher-level competencies needed to excel in computer sciences.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: It seems that laypeople even know how much the volume of digital data in the world has increased over the last couple of decades. We went from 512-megabyte hard drives in the early 2000s to now carrying upward of a terabyte of storage on our mobile devices and shifting much of our data into the cloud. Can you speak a bit about what kind of challenges this creates for computer science and for specialists such as yourself?
Dr. Chatterjee: As a computer scientist, working with large amounts of data is the core of most of my research. The larger the amount of data, the greater the preprocessing time required for data cleaning. With open-source data available everywhere, it also increases the risk of false/fake/irresponsibly-simulated data, thereby skewing the results of various experiments done at dry labs.
Data breaches are another big problem that we are dealing with. Currently, I am working on a genomic data privacy project, which opened my eyes to the plethora of information we, as end users, give out unknowingly, increasing the risk of privacy leakage.
With data everywhere, it is becoming an increasingly challenging task for computer scientists to ensure its correctness, privacy and security, and authenticity, and just dealing with the sheer volume of data.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: Many of our readers have an interest in data science but may know very little about what kind of opportunities are out there for them. What aspects of the field do you find particularly interesting at the moment, and where do you see demand for a new generation of experts?
Dr. Chatterjee: With the advent of generative AI, I believe that the biggest demand arises from the need to crack GenAI as each of its new updated prototypes launches. From a purely academic perspective, schools and universities have been diligently trying to make comprehensive GenAI policies, some of which involve academic integrity. Cracking the shell, figuring out patterns, and isolating AI-generated outcomes seem like the need of the hour, which I don’t see fizzing out very soon.
OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: You’re not just an instructor and researcher, but also the director of undergraduate studies at Boston University. What advice would you impart to prospective computer science students? Are there any particular ideas that you wish you could imprint on every incoming freshman class?
Dr. Chatterjee: Having had the chance to teach, interact with, and closely observe freshmen and early undergraduate students, there are certain things that I wish I could inculcate in the students:
As with any job, not all individuals may find themselves suited to the database manager task. This profession usually requires long hours in front of a computer screen, and at least a cursory interest in computer science. Depending on the type of employment, being a database administrator may also involve some knowledge of the hardware on which digital information is stored, or a security clearance if the data being stored is especially sensitive.
While some companies may outsource their database management work to subcontractors or smaller firms, many large organizations now employ their full-time managers. Because of the increased reliance that many organizations have on their databases, the responsible administrators may be expected to be on call or work outside of regular office hours to troubleshoot or fix an issue with a vital storage system.
If you are an individual who is passionate about digital technology, this may be the right profession for you. Below is a list of vetted online programs that can help gain a foothold in the industry, and learn some of the basic tasks and techniques of digital database management.
A bachelor’s degree is typically considered the ideal starting point for a career in database administration. These programs are geared toward individuals who may not have any real-world experience in working with digitized storage beyond their personal usage, and will involve basic courses in computer science as well as curricula that are specific to this profession. The following online programs are fully accredited and may serve as a starting point for individuals looking to enter this career.
Grand Canyon University is a private, Christian university headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers many online programs and is considered a major provider of distance education to students from across the country. GCU also offers a bachelor’s of science in applied business information systems.
According to the university’s homepage, courses include introductory classes to programming and IT storage technology, as well as the ethical considerations associated with managing sensitive or proprietary data.
Purdue University in Indiana is arguably one of the most prestigious universities to have entered the online learning space in the last couple of years. Purdue offers a bachelor’s of science in information systems, which is specifically geared towards the profession of database management and analytics. Students at Purdue benefit from the cachet of the Purdue name and may qualify for the sizable scholarship opportunities the school offers.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a school with a fairly small campus but a large footprint in the online learning environment. SNHU offers a bachelor of science in health information management, which is particularly geared towards prospective students interested in database management in the healthcare sector. The need for database management in the medical environment is particularly high, as caregivers increasingly benefit from the availability of vital information at the touch of a button.
A master’s degree represents the natural progression after a bachelor’s degree for anyone looking to significantly boost their chances of employment, enter the field at a higher position, or be interested in the subject from an academic standpoint. The following fully accredited master’s programs are available online and provide a sampling of some educational options available to distance learners.
Boston University is located in the Massachusetts metropolis of the same name, and hosts a sizable online learning program in addition to its on-campus instruction. BU offers a fully online master of science degree in computer information systems, with a concentration in database management and business intelligence.
This 40-credit program may be of particular interest to individuals who are looking to bring their skillset to an enterprise corporation or with an interest in marketing, as it places a particular emphasis on those environments and so-called data mining, in which large data sets are evaluated with a particular focus on creating value for their owners.
Through its “global campus,” the University of Maryland offers a fully online master’s degree in database systems technology. UM’s program includes courses on computer systems architecture and infrastructure, data modeling, and security. Students seeking a master’s degree in database systems technology through the University of Maryland must complete a capstone project as part of their graduation requirements.
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology is located in Melbourne, on the sunny Atlantic coast of Florida. However, students from all over the country can benefit from the fully online master of information technology emphasizing database administration. Although FIT’s program does not exclusively emphasize the business world, much of its curriculum is focused on database management and administration for corporate and business clients.
Online Database Administration Certificate Programs
Certificate programs represent a middle ground between a bachelor’s degree and a master’s program, or they may be available to individuals without a college education. Certificates can be attained in a comparably shorter amount of time and may serve to impart the relevant knowledge and information required for employment as a database manager. This option may be of particular interest to individuals who have already completed a computer science degree and are looking to sharpen their skills in database management.
The University of California at Los Angeles is one of the largest public universities in the nation and offers a certificate in database management through its extension program. Prospective students may benefit from the prestigious UCLA name and the numerous internship opportunities offered by the program. UCLA’s database management certificate program comprises three required courses and five electives and emphasizes using SQL for database management.
The University of Denver’s University College hosts a certificate program in database design and administration that can be completed online or through the university’s online learning program. Prospective students can choose between a four-course or a six-course program, with a relative price difference of roughly $4,000. The four-course option can be completed in as little as 6 months, while students choosing the more substantial option should expect to complete it in a year.
Berkeley (Extension) is another well-known California school that now offers extensive distance learning options. Among its offerings is a certificate program in data administration and management that consists of eight courses, two of which are electives.
Berkeley University’s certificate program is open to everyone, including individuals without a university degree. While Berkeley recommends that participants have some familiarity with a programming language, entering the program is not a requirement. At an estimated cost of $3,600, Berkeley’s program is the most affordable on our list.
Johannes Stitz is a freelance writer and researcher based in the Southwest. He’s written about various topics in engineering careers. Before turning to freelance writing, he spent nearly a decade in the arts as a booker and event manager.
Traditional forms of education are still important, but they can’t keep up with the rapid pace of cybersecurity. As soon as one form of threat is neutralized, innumerable others are developed. That’s why employers and employees are both increasingly turning to the more nimble world of professional certifications.
Information technology management, or IT management refers to the way organizations organize their technology systems: software, networks, and hardware. An IT environment comprises several components such as computers, routers, servers, microservices, mobile technologies, and applications. An information technology infrastructure can be in the cloud, on-premises, or on a hybrid platform, integrating both.
Because of this ongoing and ever-growing need for cybersecurity solutions, this industry is growing rapidly. Most bigger companies now employ in-house cybersecurity professionals to properly secure networks, data, and processes. While this work was once often done by self-taught experts who often had a history of hacking, it is now often performed by people who attended universities and programs with the express intent of becoming industry professionals.
These 15 cybersecurity engineering professors have demonstrated expertise gained through years of field experience and academic scholarship. Their contributions consist of cutting-edge research, a considerable record of published works, teaching excellence, and leadership in professional organizations.
