The B.S. in Data Science is an interdisciplinary program that requires a minimum of 120 hours of coursework and is designed to provide the combination of programming skills, mathematical and statistical expertise, and experience working with big data that is needed for a successful career in data science.  The program includes 17-20 credit hours of study in a specific area of concentration that includes working with and applying the results of the data analysis to solving real world problems. Students may choose to concentrate in public health data, astrophysics data, or environmental science data; minors in geographic information science and technology, economics, computer science and engineering or physics also constitute concentrations; students interested in other areas should consult with their advisor. Students interested in a concentration in mathematics or statistics should choose the BS in Mathematics with a Concentration in Data Science as their preferred program of study.

Data Science-Astrophysics Concentration, BS 

Data Science-Environmental Data Concentration, BS

Data Science-Individualized Concentration, BS

In addition, in an areas of study where an existing concentration in the data science major is not available, a related minor can be selected in consultation with the student’s academic advisor and the approval of the Data Analytics/Data Science Program Oversight Committee to fulfill the concentration requirement of the degree. For minors that are less than 18 credits, additional courses to equal at least 18 credits in the same discipline as the minor must be included. Courses selected within the minor must include at least two courses that focus on the collection, management and/or analysis of data in the minor. The following minors are already approved as meeting this requirement:
Minor in Geographic Information Science and Technology
Minor in Economics
Minor in Computer Science and Engineering
Minor in Physics

Students interested in a concentration in mathematics or statistics should choose the BS in Mathematics with a Concentration in Data Science as their preferred program of study.

Data Science-Public Health Data Concentration, BS

DATA SCIENCE-ASTROPHYSICS CONCENTRATION, BS 

DATA SCIENCE-ENVIRONMENTAL DATA CONCENTRATION, BS

DATA SCIENCE-INDIVIDUALIZED CONCENTRATION, BS 

DATA SCIENCE-PUBLIC HEALTH DATA CONCENTRATION, BS

• PLO 1. Students will be able to explain and apply mathematical, statistical and computational principles to different data types collected from natural phenomena and human activities.
• PLO 2. Students will construct databases from data sets, manipulate and use them to extract meaningful answers to questions of interest in the natural sciences, human health or wellbeing.
• PLO 3. Students will be able to select and apply the appropriate computational algorithms, statistical software packages, and programming skills that based on the evaluation of a specific date set and problem under investigation.
• PLO 4. Students will be able to describe current issues in a disciplinary area in the natural sciences, human health or wellbeing that large data can provide insight into and apply the appropriate data analytics tools to their investigation.
• PLO 5.Students will describe and evaluate various social and ethical issues related to the collection, analysis and applications of data.
• PLO 6. Students will effectively communicate their work and results through written and/or oral presentations.

Honors in Data Science is available to students pursuing both a B.S. degree in Data Science and Honors through the Jesup Scott Honors College. To receive an undergraduate degree with Honors in Data Science, all requirements for the B.S. degree must be met, including at least 12 credit hours of Honors coursework in the major, with at least two Honors courses in the selected Data Science concentration. In addition, a project leading to a thesis under the direction of a research-active faculty member in the major or concentration in the major must be completed. Students are required to submit a written Honors Thesis to the program advisor before completion of their senior year.