Data Science

Major

Why our data science major?

A data science major is a career choice for today and for the future. Data science has one of the highest growth rates among all STEM disciplines with a growth rate of 36% through 2032, as projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Data scientists deal with large amounts of data to help companies make informed, data-driven decisions. Companies rely on data science majors who analyze big data and find meaningful insights.

Our major emphasizes both foundation and applications by requiring students to pursue a data science major and choose an analytics minor in an application discipline for a total of 65-67 credit hours of course work. Our program is designed to equip students with knowledge and skills in data management, computing and analytics modeling techniques, as well as the strong communication skills required to work effectively with teams and clients.

Students have the flexibility to declare a data science major at any point during their academic journey. To initiate the process, they should reach out to an advisor within the Statistics, Actuarial and Data Sciences Department to devise a coursework plan and explore available resources. To make smooth progress through the program, it's crucial to complete foundational courses like MTH 132, MTH 133, CPS 180, STA 382 and DAS 150 as early as possible. It's important to note that we require students to have a signed Data Science major declaration before accumulating 56 credit hours.

To declare a data science major, students must have completed MTH 132, CPS 180 and an Introductory Statistics course, such as STA 382, with an average GPA of these three courses at 2.7 (B-) or better.

Opportunities for data science majors

As a student pursuing a data science major, you will:

• Be prepared for two professional certificate exams sponsored by the SAS Inc.: You'll have the chance to earn the SAS Base Programming Specialist Certificate and SAS Predictive Modeler Professional Certificate Exams.
• Gain experience in solving real-world projects: Through capstone and several higher-level courses, you'll work on practical challenges and refine your skills.
• Collaborate with knowledgeable faculty and staff: Your education will benefit from the expertise of our dedicated faculty and staff who bring real-world experience to the classroom.
• Engage in hands-on lab components: Most courses include lab experience, emphasizing applications and teamwork, enriching your learning experience.
• Have the opportunity to take an analytics minor: You can complement your data science major with an analytics minor from different disciplines, tailored to your interests and career goals.