Data Sciences
The data sciences degree is part of an intercollege initiative among the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), College of Engineering, and Eberly College of Science to meet the need of professionals who can make sense of big data. The program provides students with the technical fundamentals of data sciences, with a focus on developing the knowledge and skills needed to manage and analyze large-scale, unstructured data to address an expanding range of problems in industry, government, and academia. As a result, data sciences graduates will possess the core skills and problem-solving approaches to compete for leading-edge analytics positions across many different industry sectors.
Computational Data Sciences Option
The computational option for data science, offered only through the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, focuses on the computational foundations of data science, including the design, implementation and analysis of software that manages the volume, heterogeneity and dynamic characteristics of large data sets and that leverages the computational power of multicore hardware. Students in this option will take upper-level courses in computer science and related fields to develop the skills necessary to construct efficient solutions to computational problems involving large data sets.
The mission of our undergraduate program is to prepare our students for a wide range of careers as computational data scientists and related positions in the field of computing. Our curriculum covers fundamental programming techniques and skills, broad knowledge of data science foundations, mathematical foundations of computing, and advanced topics in computing with large data sets. This curriculum provides students with the skills needed to design, develop, evaluate and analyze software solutions to computational problems involving large data and prepares them to be leaders throughout their careers. This program is intended to produce data science professionals with a deep understanding of how to compute with large data and not merely technicians who can use off-the-shelf tools. Success requires a strong aptitude in mathematics.
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
A description of all the data sciences courses can be found in LionPATH.
To view the degree requirements, please visit the Undergraduate Advising webpage on computational data sciences.
