The field of data engineering is based on the fundamentals of science and mathematics. Following completion of the program, graduates may pursue careers at small businesses or large global enterprises. Numerous industries may seek to employ data engineers, including the public sector, specialty industries and information technology companies.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.