Alabama State University officials say they're planning to use a National Science Foundation grant to establish a data analytics lab.
University officials said in a release Monday that the school will use the $399,000 grant to focus on "big data," a term that's increasingly used to describe a volume of data so large and complex that it's difficult to interpret using standard database and software techniques.
Officials say the university will partner with Auburn University on a research project aimed at infusing data analytics in mathematics and statistics courses.
Officials say many in-demand science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers require technical skills for handling and analyzing big data, but undergraduate courses aren't typically equipped to provide adequate training in that area.