The data science major combines roughly equal portions of computer science and statistics with a substantial cognate in a domain area of your choice, where you will apply your data analysis skills.
This major combines roughly equal portions of computer science and statistics with a substantial cognate in a domain area of the student’s choice, where they will apply their data analysis skills.
Note: In 2019, we're initiating important changes to our academic offerings. See the 2019 Program Changes page or the 2019 New Major Info tab to understand these changes.
Course Requirements
A Data Science student must complete a cognate, consisting of at least 15 hours, with the same disciplinary prefix (BIO, BUS, ECON, GEOG, POLS, etc.) other than CS, MATH, or STAT, and with at least 6 must be at the 300-level, unless a department recommendsotherwise.
Below is a current list of course tracks that departmental representatives have recommended as especially appropriate for a Data Science major. Students may also combine courses with different prefixes with the approval of their advisor (who must be a member of the Data Science Steering Committee).
Biology
- Ecosystems/Population Biology Track:
- Biol. 123 (4) Living Systems
- Biol 160 (4) Ecological and Evolutionary Systems
- Biol 250 (4) Research Design and Methodology
- One of: Biol 345 (4) Ecosystem Ecology and Management; Biol 364 (3) Global Health, Environment, and Sustainability; Biol 385 (4) Internship in Biology, Biol 399 (4) Undergraduate Research, PubH 248 (4) Epidemiology, or an approved interim.
- Genomics/Cell Biology Track
- One of: Chem 115 (4) Chemistry for the Health Sciences; Chem 103 (4) General Chemistry I; Chem 104 (4) General Chemistry II; or Chem 105 (4) Chemical Principles
- One of: Biol 161 (4) Cellular and Genetic Systems; or Biol 141 (4) Cell Biology & Genetics for the Health Sciences
- Biol 250 (4) Research Design and Methodology
- One of: Biol 321 (4) Genetics and Development; Biol 325 (4) Biotechnology; Biol 336 (4) General Microbiology; Biol 385 (4) Internship in Biology, Biol 399 (4) Undergraduate Research, Psyc 343 (4) Behavioral Neuroscience, or an approved interim.
Business
- BUS 160 (3) Business Foundations
- BUS 203 (3) Intro to Managerial Accounting
- BUS 204 (4) Financial Accounting
- BUS 370 (3) Financial Principles
- BUS 371, 372, or 380 (3) Financial Instruments and Markets, Advanced Corporate Finance, or Marketing
- (Students should take ECON 221 to fulfill their Societal Structures core requirement, as it is the prerequisite for some of the upper-level BUS courses.)
Economics
- ECON 221 (3) Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 222 (3) Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECON 325 or 326 (4) Intermediate Microeconomics or Intermediate Macroeconomics
- ECON 343 (3) Research Methods
- one additional ECON 300-level course (3)
Geography
- GeoSpatial Track:
- GEOG 200 (3) People, Place and Community
- GEOG 261 (4) Intro GIS
- GEOG 361 (4) Advanced GIS
- GEOG 362 (4) Remote Sensing of Earth
- GeoPhysical Track (at least 15 hrs chosen from the following):
- GEOG 120 (4) Earth Systems
- GEOG 252 (4) Geomorphology
- GEOG 261 (4) Intro GIS
- GEOG 322 or GEOL 312 (4) Coastal Geomorphology or Environmental Geology
- GEOG 362 (4) Remote Sensing of Earth
- GeoHuman Track:
- GEOG 200 (3) People, Place and Community
- GEOG 261 (4) Intro GIS
- GEOG 310 (4) Urban Geography
- GEOG 361 (4) Advanced GIS
Political Science
- POLS 251 (3) Foundations of Political Science Research
- POLS 212 (3) American Public Policy
- Three courses from one of the following categories (9):
- American Politics and Polity:
- POLS 208 Urban Politics
- POLS 209 Public and Non-Profit Administration
- POLS 218 American Foreign Policy
- POLS 234 The President and Congress
- POLS 237 Parties and Interest Groups
- POLS 318 American Elections and Mass Media
- International Relations/Comparative:
- POLS 218 American Foreign Policy
- POLS 277 Asian Politics
- POLS 279 African Politics
- POLS 304 International Peace and Security
- POLS 307 Civil War, Ethnic Conflict, and Terrorism
- POLS 309 International Organization and Law
- POLS 319 International Political Economy
- POLS 321 Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective
- POLS 322 Global Democratization
- American Politics and Polity:
Public Health
- PUBH 101 (3) Introduction to Public Health
- PUBH 248 (4) Epidemiology
- ECON 241 (3) Health Economics and Health Policy
- PHIL 212 (3) Ethical Dimensions of Health Care
- One course from: PUBH 380 (3,4) Internship in Public Health; PUBH 395 (3) Integrative Seminar in Public Health; BIOL 364 (3) Global Health, Environment, and Sustainability; or PSYCH 335 (4) Health Psychology.
The following course schedule provides a suggested framework for students pursuing a BA (or BS) in data science.
| Year | Fall | Interim | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Sophomore |
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| Junior | |
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| Senior |
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* offered every other year
The Data Science program is an interdisciplinary mix of Computer Science, Data, Mathematics, and Statistics. For more information about the program, please contact the Chair of Computer Science or the Chair of Mathematics & Statistics.
Cognates
At least 15 semester hours, usually with the same course prefix (e.g. BIOL, BUS, GEOG, POLS, etc.) other than CS, DATA, MATH or STAT. At least 6 hours must be at the 300 level. A current list of suggested cognate course tracks can be found here:
Students can propose other course combinations in consultation with their advisor.
BA vs. BS
Students who complete at least fifty-eight semester hours in biology, chemistry, computer science, the earth sciences, engineering, mathematics, physics and psychology may elect to receive a Bachelor of Science degree by submitting a request to the registrar's office. Others will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.