[cdancette]

Data scientist have a variety of background: CS, applied mathematics, pure mathematics..

I don't think a data scientist need to know all that stuff to be good at his job

[rcoveson]

I imagine what prompted this thread was the growing tendency of software companies to hire for "Data Scientist" positions and imagine that what they'll be getting is analogous to a Database or Distributed Computing specialist--someone who has a strong software engineering background plus deep knowledge of their specialty.

[calt]

Yes. That's the point. They don't know them, and they can still be productive. However, if you require the knowledge it can be taught and you might have to help teach it.