Data Science as Engineering: Foundations, Education, and Professional Identity

Data science is experiencing an identity crisis due to its fragmented roots in statistics and computer science. The content proposes that data science should be reframed as an engineering discipline, focusing on building functional systems within real-world constraints. This engineering perspective emphasizes pragmatic trade-offs, application-focused problem-solving, and the integration of various techniques to create things that work. Adopting this view would require significant changes to education, establishing professional standards, and creating specialized tracks similar to other engineering fields. This philosophical shift would help unify the field and clarify its professional identity and purpose.