CEMS Data Science Updates: Professional Training, Industry Engagement, and New Programs

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (09/22/2026) — Through industry partnerships, professional training opportunities, and new educational pathways, CEMS continues to expand opportunities for students, researchers, and industry professionals to engage with data science and artificial intelligence. Here are recent highlights from across CEMS data science initiatives.

Peter O. Stahl Advanced Design Forum 2026

The fourth annual Peter O. Stahl Advanced Design Forum took place May 14–15, 2026, at Cargill in Wayzata, Minnesota. The event brought together more than 140 attendees, including over 60 students and representatives from 28 different companies, to explore the growing role of artificial intelligence in chemical, materials, and systems engineering.

Day one featured speakers from 11 companies spanning manufacturing, healthcare, automation, and other industries, along with a poster session showcasing research from 24 University of Minnesota undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. Day two featured presentations highlighting ongoing research from groups across CEMS, the Department of Chemistry, and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Discussions throughout the forum explored how AI is shaping decision-making, research and development, and business operations across a range of engineering sectors. The department looks forward to hosting the fifth Stahl Forum next spring in partnership with Ecolab.

Short Course in Data Science for Chemical and Materials Engineering

CEMS recently hosted a five-day short course focused on data science for chemical and materials engineering. Held in Amundson Hall from May 17–21, the course was designed to provide an upskilling opportunity for industry professionals to develop skills in machine learning for chemical and materials engineering applications. Course topics included Python programming, data preparation, supervised and unsupervised learning, optimization, and deep learning.

The course welcomed 12 industry professionals from four different companies, along with seven graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, primarily from CEMS. Based on the success of this year's offering, the department plans to offer the course again in Spring 2027.

New Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science for Chemical and Materials Engineering

CEMS recently launched a new Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Data Science for Chemical and Materials Engineering, directed by Professor Prodromos Daoutidis.

The certificate was developed to address the growing need for scientists and engineers to gain practical skills in AI and data science. While the department's Master of Science in Data Science for Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (MSDS CEMS) provides comprehensive graduate-level training, the new certificate offers a more flexible pathway for professionals seeking foundational knowledge and applied experience.

The program also serves as a continuing education opportunity for recent graduates in CEMS and related disciplines, as well as current Ph.D. students who are unable to complete the full MSDS CEMS curriculum.

Through these initiatives, CEMS is preparing students and researchers to lead in a world increasingly shaped by data. Visit the Data Science webpage on the CEMS website to learn more about our programs.

Interested in our MS in Data Science program? Visit the CEMS website to register for an upcoming info session.