Data Science Major

Requirements for the Major

Computer Core Courses

CSC 160Web, Data, and Design

4

CSC 220Programming and Problem Solving

4

CSC 270Data Structures

4

Mathematics Core Courses

MAT 165Modern Calculus-I

3

MAT 185Modern Calculus-II

3

MAT 235Modern Calculus-III

3

MAT 240Linear Algebra

3

MAT 310Probability Theory

3

Data Science Core Courses

DSC 205Statistical Modeling

3

DSC 305Data Science and Analytics

3

DSC 395Machine Learning

3

DSC 500Data Science Capstone

3

To allow for flexibility in scheduling, we encourage prospective majors to begin taking the introductory calculus and computer programming sequences as early as possible, starting with MAT 165 and CSC 160. To complete the major, students must complete MAT 165 by the end of their first year, CSC 220 by the end of their sophomore year, and DSC 205 no later than fall of their junior year.  If a student wishes to study abroad for a full spring term or fall term, particular care in scheduling is needed as DSC 205, DSC 500, and MAT 310 are only offered in fall terms and DSC 305 and DSC 295 are only offered spring terms.  Please speak with a data science faculty member as early as possible if you are considering the data science major and have questions about scheduling.

Additional Recommended Courses for Students Interested in Data Science

Students should consider taking additional electives in analysis or visualization from the lists above or classes that build on these such as ECO 392 (Economic Forecasting) or ECO 395 (Empirical Analysis in Economics and Finance). For students wishing to expand their computing capabilities, CSC 270 (Data Structures)*, CSC 362 (Design and Analysis of Algorithms), and CSC 362 (Database Programming and Design) are all relevant to data science. For students wishing to expand their mathematical capabilities, MAT 240 (Linear Algebra)* and MAT 311 (Mathematical Statistics) are relevant to data science.

* Required for data science majors.