Cloud Hosting

WILLIAMSBURG William & Marys new School of Computing, Data Sciences, and Physics was officially approved Tuesday, giving students a new avenue into working in a data-rich world, the university announced.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the state agency that governs new schools and programs, approved the school Tuesday, according to a news release.

The school will bring together four programs: applied science, computer science, data science and physics.

I appreciate SCHEVs shared commitment to preparing broadly educated, forward-thinking citizens and professionals, W&M President Katherine A. Rowe said in the release. The jobs of tomorrow belong to those prepared to solve tomorrows problems. Machine learning, AI, computational modeling these are essential modes of critical thinking and core to a liberal arts education in the 21st century, she said.

The school will be operational in fall 2025, and a national search for a dean of the school is underway.

W&Ms Board of Visitors approved the creation of the school in November. Its approval at the state level makes it the universitys sixth school the first since the creation of the Raymond A. Mason School of Business in 1968.

Establishing the standalone School of Computing, Data Sciences, and Physics, will increase visibility of the programs and their growing career fields, the university said.

Innovation has been part of William & Mary since its inception, and this school will serve as the catalyst for countless new discoveries, partnerships and synergies, Provost Peggy Agouris said in a statement. The School of Computing, Data Sciences, and Physics is launching at a pivotal time within these dynamic fields, and Im incredibly proud to continue our journey of interdisciplinary growth and excellence across our undergraduate and graduate program offerings.

The four academic areas in the new school are experiencing strong growth in external investment (over $9 million in 2023) and student numbers, according to the university.

Undergraduate students will not apply to the school directly; instead, second-year students who meet the criteria will be allowed to enter the school. Students will be able to double major or minor in other programs at the university while attending the new school, according to the release.

Sam Schaffer, samuel.schaffer@virginiamedia.com

Originally Published: July 25, 2024 at 12:10 p.m.

Here is the original post:

State approves new William & Mary school, the first in 50 years - Daily Press