X-Lab: Join a project

If you want to work on technical projects provided by external or research partners, our experiential learning lab — X-Lab — is the place for you. Through our computer and data science practicum courses, interdisciplinary practicum courses through the XCC, or paid internship opportunities for advanced students, you can help make a difference and real-world impact for our project partners.

For credit courses

CDS DS519: Spark! Software Engineering X-Lab Practicum

In CDS DS 519, you will have the opportunity to apply your programming and system development skills by working on real-world projects provided by partnering organizations within and outside of Boston University. 

CDS DS549: Spark! Machine Learning X-Lab Practicum

In CDS DS549, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in algorithms, inferential analytics, and software development by working on real-world projects provided by partnering organizations within and outside of Boston University. 

HUB XC410 A1: Justice Media co-Lab

If you have a background in computer and data science, statistics, computer engineering, or journalism-related disciplines, XC410 A1 will match you with computational journalism projects provided by external media partners (like the Boston Globe, CBS Boston, GHB, USA Today, and more). You will work on computational investigations focused on issues of justice and accountability, and be guided by veteran faculty practitioners in journalism and computer and data science. An application for registration to this course is required.

HUB XC410 B1: Data Science for Good (DS4G)

If you want to tackle real-world computing and data science challenges related to a pressing social issue, in XC410 B1, you will work in teams on client-based projects. You will engage with a wide range of potential stakeholders, iterating and producing usable data sets, tools, software products, or research that addresses their data needs. You will develop technical artifacts involving data science and strengthen your computational and analytical skills by working with messy, real-world data to yield meaningful, reproducible, and defensible insights and compelling interfaces. An application for registration to this course is required.

X-Lab Internship

About the internship. Through the X-Lab Internship, you can help make a difference and real-world impact by working on technical projects provided by external or research partners. All of these programs will leverage and help hone your software engineering, data science, and machine learning skills. An application is required.