Data Science is the discovery of knowledge and insight through the analysis of data. As such, it draws on the study of algorithms and their implementation from computer science, the power of abstraction and of geometric and topological formalism from mathematics, and the modeling and analysis of data from statistics. It has emerged as a separate field in response to the avalanche of data from web enabled sensors and instrumentation, mobile devices, web logs and transactions, and the availability of computing power for data storage and analysis. Modern data is challenging not only due to its large scale, but also because it is increasingly heterogeneous and unstructured. Information gleaned from this data none-the-less is revolutionizing diverse areas of human endeavor from health policy to high energy physics.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Determine which data analysis methods are appropriate in a wide variety of contexts, build and assess statistical models, perform the analyses and report the results.
  2. Use graphical, oral, and written means to effectively and fluently communicate analysis results and ideas. 
  3. Interact and communicate with collaborators in a wide range of fields.  
  4. Function effectively in teams to accomplish a common goal.

Effective Fall 2026

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
CS 150BCulture and Coding: Python3B3
CS 164CS1--Computational Thinking with Java 4
DSCI 100First Year Seminar in Data Science 1
DSCI 369Linear Algebra for Data Science 4
MATH 1561Mathematics for Computational Science I (GT-MA1)1B4
STAT 158Introduction to R Programming 1
STAT 315Intro to Theory and Practice of Statistics 3
1C1C3
Biological and Physical Sciences3A4
 Total Credits 30
Sophomore
 
CS 165CS2--Data Structures 4
CS 201/PHIL 201Ethical Computing Systems3B3
CS 220Discrete Structures 4
DSCI 235Data Wrangling 2
MATH 151Mathematical Algorithms in Matlab I 1
MATH 2561Mathematics for Computational Science II 4
STAT 341Statistical Data Analysis I 3
STAT 342Statistical Data Analysis II 3
Biological and Physical Sciences3A3
Social and Behavioral Sciences3C3
 Total Credits 30
Junior
 
DSCI 320/MATH 320Optimization Methods in Data Science 3
DSCI 335Inferential Reasoning in Data Analysis 3
DSCI 336Data Graphics and Visualization 1
Select one course from the following: 3
Writing Arguments (GT-CO3)2 
Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)2 
Writing in Digital Environments (GT-CO3)2 
Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)2 
Data Science Electives2 6
Minor or Second Major3 12
Historical Perspectives3D3
 Total Credits 31
Senior
 
DSCI 445Statistical Machine Learning4B3
DSCI 478Capstone Group Project in Data Science4A,4C4
Data Science Electives2 6
Minor or Second Major3 9
Electives4 7
 Total Credits 29
 Program Total Credits: 120

 Data Science Electives List2

Code Title AUCC Credits
Select a minimum of 12 total credits from the list below:
CS 214 Software Development 3
CS 250 Computer Systems Foundations 4
CS 270 Computer Organization 4
CS 314 Software Engineering 3
CS 320 Algorithms--Theory and Practice 3
CS 370 Operating Systems 3
CS 435 Introduction to Big Data 4
CS 440 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 4
CT 301 C++ Fundamentals 2
DSCI 473 Introduction to Geometric Data Analysis 2
DSCI 475 Topological Data Analysis 2
ECON 202 Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1) 3C 3
ECON 204 Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1) 3C 3
ECON 304 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3
ECON 306 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
ECON 435 Intermediate Econometrics 3
MATH 301 Introduction to Combinatorial Theory 3
MATH 317 Advanced Calculus of One Variable 3
MATH 331 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling 3
MATH 332 Partial Differential Equations 3
MATH 345 Differential Equations 4
MATH 360 Mathematics of Information Security 3
MATH 450 Introduction to Numerical Analysis I 3
MATH 451 Introduction to Numerical Analysis II 3
STAT 305 Sampling Techniques 3
STAT 331 Intermediate Applied Statistical Methods 3
STAT 351 Sports Statistics and Analytics I 3
STAT 400 Statistical Computing 3
STAT 420 Probability and Mathematical Statistics I 3
STAT 421 Introduction to Stochastic Processes 3
STAT 430 Probability and Mathematical Statistics II 3
STAT 440 Bayesian Data Analysis 3
STAT 451 Sports Statistics and Analytics II 3
STAT 460 Applied Multivariate Analysis 3
STAT 472 Statistical Research--Design, Data, Methods 3
1

The calculus requirement for the major may alternatively be satisfied by completion of MATH 160, MATH 161, and MATH 261; or by completion of MATH 155 and MATH 255.

2

A minimum of 12 total credits must be selected from the Data Science Electives. Courses used to satisfy the requirement of the minor/second major/interdisciplinary minor may not double-count towards the Data Science Electives requirement.

3

Students must complete a minor, second major, or interdisciplinary minor, excluding the following: Minor in Computer Science, Minor in Data Science, Minor in Economics, Minor in Statistics, Minor in Applied Statistics, Minor in Mathematics, Minor in Bioinformatics.

4

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CS 150BCulture and Coding: PythonX 3B3
DSCI 100First Year Seminar in Data ScienceX  1
MATH 156Mathematics for Computational Science I (GT-MA1)X 1B4
1C X1C3
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A4
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)X 1A3
CS 164CS1--Computational Thinking with JavaX  4
DSCI 369Linear Algebra for Data ScienceX  4
STAT 158Introduction to R ProgrammingX  1
STAT 315Intro to Theory and Practice of StatisticsX  3
 Total Credits   15
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CS 165CS2--Data StructuresX  4
CS 201/PHIL 201Ethical Computing SystemsX 3B3
STAT 341Statistical Data Analysis IX  3
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A3
Social and Behavioral Sciences  X3C3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CS 220Discrete StructuresX  4
DSCI 235Data WranglingX  2
MATH 151Mathematical Algorithms in Matlab IX  1
MATH 256Mathematics for Computational Science IIX  4
STAT 342Statistical Data Analysis IIX  3
 Total Credits   14
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
DSCI 320/MATH 320Optimization Methods in Data ScienceX  3
Select one course from the following:X  3
Writing Arguments (GT-CO3)  2 
Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)  2 
Writing in Digital Environments (GT-CO3)  2 
Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)  2 
Minor or Second MajorX  6
Historical Perspectives  X3D3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
DSCI 335Inferential Reasoning in Data AnalysisX  3
DSCI 336Data Graphics and VisualizationX  1
Data Science Electives X 6
Minor or Second MajorX  6
 Total Credits   16
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
DSCI 445Statistical Machine LearningX 4B3
Data Science Elective X 3
Elective X 3
Minor or Second Major   6
 Total Credits   15
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
DSCI 478Capstone Group Project in Data ScienceX 4A,4C4
Data Science ElectiveX  3
ElectivesX  4
Minor or Second Major   3
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   14
 Program Total Credits:   120