Data Science, B.S.D.S.

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Description

The Data Science program integrates computer science with math and statistics to prepare for the rapidly expanding need for data scientists.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

Data science plays a crucial role in almost all areas of expertise thanks to the explosive growth in data availability. Graduates work in careers in companies and government to use various quantitative tools to extract useful information from complex data and help them make well-informed and evidence-based decisions.

What skills are developed within this major?

Students learn apply principles of math and statistics and computer science in a variety of contexts. They hone their ability to use the techniques, skills, and tools necessary for data science practice as well as design and conduct experiments. They learn to analyze and interpret data.

Student Organizations

Association for Computing Machinery

Additional Information

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science is a program in the Department of Computer Science. The Data Science program prepares engineers to enter and contributions to the field of data computing. The program showcases the various roles data science plays in significant aspects of the world.

The program includes a spectrum of courses and considerable laboratory experience. In addition, depth in data science is provided by technical electives.

Data Science students are limited to a total of two grades of D in DSA, CIS, and STA courses.

Admission to Major

Admission to the Washkewicz College of Engineering.

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum hours required for the degree: 120

College Requirements

See college page for college requirements.

Major Requirements

The following list is a guide to the academic requirements for Data Science major. Each student’s specific program requires approval from the student’s advisor.

Engineering Science Required Courses (4 courses)

Mathematics and Science Required Courses (7-9 courses)

MTH 181 - Calculus I
MTH 182 - Calculus II
MTH 220 - Introduction to Discrete Mathematics
MTH 283 - Multivariable Calculus For Engineers
MTH 288 - Linear Algebra
PHY 241 - University Physics I
or BIO 266 with BIO 267 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I and Lab)

or CHM 261 with CHM 266 (General Chemistry I and Lab)
PHY 242 - University Physics II
or BIO 268 with BIO 269 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab)

or CHM 262 with CHM 267 (General Chemistry II and Lab)

Co-op Required Course

Optional course for degree. Required for Co-Op program.

ESC 130 - Engineering & Computer Science Career Preparation

Data Ethics Required Course

PHL 216 - Data Ethics

Data Science Required Courses (14 courses)

Statistics Required Courses (4 courses)

Data Science Technical Electives (4 courses)

Four (4) lecture courses required - must be chosen from available DSA, CIS, and STA 300/400-level courses. However, students may choose an area of specialization to learn how data science is applied in a particular field. No more than two (2) out-of-department 300/400-level courses are allowed but must be approved in advance by the department’s undergraduate advisor.

Honors Program/University Scholars Requirements

Students in the Honors or University Scholars programs are required to complete an Honors Thesis (three credit hours, minimum) and at least six (6) credit hours of honors courses in the Computer Science Department. General guidelines for these credit hours are given below. However, the specific courses that each student takes will be agreed upon by the student, the department’s undergraduate advisor, and the student’s honors thesis advisor. The student’s regular undergraduate advisor is responsible for finding an honors thesis advisor who is mutually agreeable to the undergraduate advisor, the honors thesis advisor, and the honors student.

1. Honors Courses

The honors credits (9 hours) should be selected from the following list:

Honors Thesis (required) (DSA 499H , 3 credits)-Each honors student conducts research and writes a thesis under the supervision of an Computer Science faculty member.
Honors Research (DSA 495H , 1 to 3 credits)-If the proposed research project for the Honors Thesis is anticipated to require more than one semester, the student can register for DSA 495H in those semesters when research is performed prior to the semester when the Honors Thesis completion (DSA 499H ) is anticipated.
Graduate Course-Any 500 level Computer Science graduate course for which the student has the prerequisites.
Junior Honors, Senior Honors-Most 300 level and 400 level Computer Science courses can be expanded to become an honors course. This is referred to by the Honors Program as a “contract course.” This is done in collaboration among the undergraduate advisor, the honors thesis advisor, and the course instructor.

2. Replaced Credit Hours

Credits from the honors courses can be used to replace Data Science Technical Electives.