Big data is a broad term for data sets so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. Data sets grow in size in part because they are increasingly being gathered by cheap and numerous information-sensing mobile devices, and computer and sensor networks. Traditional database management systems and desktop statistics and visualization packages often have difficulty in handling big data.

The Minor in Big Data & Information Retrieval will train students in the analysis, capture, curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, modeling and visualization of the Big Data. This includes the design of efficient and effective algorithms and systems to integrate the data and uncover large hidden values from datasets that are diverse, complex, and of a massive scale. This massive increase in data and information has created a high demand for skilled Big Data experts in all industries.