Data Science Major
The Data Science (DATASCI) major is the integration of data science and liberal arts. It equips students with quantitative skills and data analysis techniques while they explore disciplines in the natural sciences, social sciences, or humanities. Currently there are 20 interdisciplinary tracks students can select from.
The DATASCI major is flexible enough students can take quantitative classes (such as statistics, game theory, and experimental methods) and classes in an associated discipline based on your area of interest (such as political science, psychology, neuroscience and behavioral biology, history, and more). The Data and Decision Sciences Department also has its own interdisciplinary track called the Data Science track which focuses on Machine Learning, experiential learning (such as capstones, internships, etc.). You can learn more about this major and others by selecting the links to your right.
DATASCI Core Courses
Important: The core course flow shown above applies to all Data Science majors.
Math Prerequisites
MATH 111 and MATH 221 apply to every track of data science major. They must be taken for a letter grade. These courses do not count toward the major GPA but do count toward the 50-credit graduation requirement.
Data Science Electives
DATASCI electives include 300- and 400-level lecture and seminar-style classes that carry at least 3 credit hours. DATASCI 398R, 496R, 497R, and 499R do not fulfill elective requirements.
Please find additional requirements specific to your track below.
Data Science Major: Popular Tracks
Track Core
- Complete TWO of the 4 available Focus Tracks (total of 12 credits):Focus Track A – Machine Learning: DATASCI 347 AND 447Focus Track B – Causal Inference: DATASCI 345 AND 445Focus Track C – Statistical Theory: DATASCI 365 AND 465Focus Track D – Mathematical Modeling: DATASCI 315, 325, or 490: Social Choice Theory
DATASCI Electives
- Complete FIVE elective courses at 300-level or higher (15 credits)
- DATASCI 398R, 496R, 497R, and 499R do not satisfy elective requirements
Experiential Learning
- Choose 2 from DATASCI398R, 495A, 495BW, 496R, 497R, 498R, and 499R (each course number may only be used once). Non-DATASCI experiential learning courses may be used with departmental approval.
Dowload the Biology Track Checklist
Track Core
- BIOL 141 & 141L Foundation of Modern Biology I
- BIOL 142 & 142L Foundation of Modern Biology II
- CHEM 150 or 202* Structure and Properties or Principles of Relativity
- PHYS 151 or 152 Physics for Science and Engineering I or II(
- AP credit may not be substituted for CHEM150/CHEM202 or for PHYS151/PHYS152
Track Electives
Choose one of the following two tracks, or design a “free track” with faculty advisors.
- Track A: Neurobiology (BIOL 360 Intro to Neurobiology, BIOL 450 Computational Neuroscience)
- Track B: PBEE (BIOL 241 Evolutionary Biology, BIOL 247 Ecology)
- Free track: Consult faculty advisors
Two track electives are required from this list or, you may consult with a Biology faculty advisor for other acceptable courses. Consult track department’s website here for course information
- PHYS/BIOL 212 Computational Modeling in the Sciences
- BIOL 223 Developmental Biology
- BIOL 241 Ecology
- BIOL 247 Evolution
- BIOL 250 Cell Biology
- BIOL 264 Human Genetics
- BIOL 301 Biochemistry
- NBB 302 Behavioral Neuroscience
- BIOL 336 Human Physiology
- IBOL 360 Introduction to Neurobiology
- PHYS 434 Physical Biology
- CHEM 435 Molecular Simulation Chem Bio
- BIOL 450 Computational Neuroscience
- BIOL 455 Immunology & Disease
- BIOL 463 Population Biology & Evolution of Disease
Download the Psychology Track Checklist
Track Electives
- A total of 6 courses (3+ credits per each course) required - at least 1 of them must be at the 300-level or higher and at least 3 courses must be at the 200-level or higher
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Download the NBB Track Checklist
Track Core
- BIOL 141 & 141L and BIOL 142 & 142L Foundations of Modern Biology I and II
- CHEM 1st Sem Chem w/ Lab: CHEM 141 or 150 or 221 or 221Z or 202Z
- CHEM 2nd Sem CHEM w/ Lab : CHEM 142 or 202 or 222 or 222Z or 203Z
- NBB 201 Foundations of Behavior
- NBB 301 / BIOL 360 Introduction to Neurobiology
- NBB 302 / PSYC 353 Behavioral Neuroscience
- NBB 401 Perspectives in Neuroscience & Behavior or NBB 402 Global Neuro and Behavior
Track Electives
- Track electives: two 100+ courses, three 200+ courses, and one 300+ course required
- Consult the track department's website here for NBB-approved electives
Track Electives
- A total of 6 courses (3+ credits per each course) required - at least 1 of them must be at the 300-level or higher and at least 3 courses must be at the 200-level or higher
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Track Electives
- A total of 6 courses (3+ credits per each course) required - at least 1 of them must be at the 300-level or higher and at least 3 courses must be at the 200-level or higher
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Track Core
- CS 170 and 171 Intro to Computer Science I and II
- CS 224 Foundations of Computer Science
- CS 253 Data Structures and Algorithms
- CS 370 Computer Science Practicum
- CS 377 Database Sytems
- CS 325 Artifical Intelligence
Track Electives
- Track electives: 300+ level courses required
- Consult track department’s website here for course designation/acceptability
Explore Other Tracks
Track Electives
- A total of 6 courses (3+ credits per each course) required - at least 1 of them must be at the 300-level or higher and at least 3 courses must be at the 200-level or higher
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Track Core
- ARTHIST 103 Understanding Architecture or ARTHIST 104 Great Buildings
- ARTHIST 210 Introduction to Computer Aided Design
Track Electives
- Track electives: 200+ courses required
- Please note that ARTHIST 397 (internship) may not be applied to track requirements
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Track Core
- ARTHIST 101 Art/Arch Prehistory to Renaissance
- ARTHIST 102 Art/Arch Renaissance to Present
Track Electives
- Track electives: 200+ level courses required
- ARTHIST 397 (internship) may not be applied to the track requirements
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Download the Biological Anthropology Track Checklist
Track Core
- ANT 201 Concepts and Methods in Biological Anthropology
- ANT 202 Concepts and Methods in Cultural Anthropology
Track Electives
- Sample one course each from the following topic focus:
- Human Biology
- Social Science & Medicine
- Evolution & Behavior
- Cultural Anthropology
- Consult the department website here for course designation/acceptability
Track Electives
- Track electives: two 100+ courses, three 200+ courses, one 300+ course required
- Sample from at least 3 of the following content areas: Languages and Linguistics; Literature; History and Politics; Cultural Studies; Religion and Thought
- Consult the track department's website here for the list of area designated courses
Download the English Track Checklist
Track Electives
Track Elective must be 200+ level for all 6 electives
Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Download the Environmental Studies Track Checklist
Track Core
- ENVS 120 Living in the Anthropocene or ENVS 130 Environmental Sciences or ENVS 140 Environmental Change and Health
- ENVS 132 Intro to ENVS Field Studies
Track Electives
- Track electives: Sample one course each from the following topic focus:
- Ecology & Conservation
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Social Science & Policy; additional 300+ level courses required
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Download the History Track Checklist
Track Electives
- A total of 6 courses (3+ credits per each course) required - at least 1 of them must be at the 300-level or higher and at least 3 courses must be at the 200-level or higher
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Track Core
- POLS 110 Intro to International Politics
- POLS 111 Principles of Political Science
Track Electives
- Track electives: 300+ level courses required
- Non-POLS course under the International Studies Approved Course List may be used.
- For the International Studies Approved Course List and other course acceptability, consult the Political Science Department website here
Download the LACS Track Checklist
Track Electives
- A total of 6 courses (3+ credits per each course) required - at least 1 of them must be at the 300-level or higher and at least 3 courses must be at the 200-level or higher
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Track Core
- LING 101 History of the American Languages
- LING 201 Foundations of Linguistics
- LING 401W Language, Mind and Society
- LING 210 Sounds of Human Language or LING 212 Structure of Human Language or 214 Meaning in Human Language
Track Electives
- Track electives: 200+ level courses required
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Track Core
- POLS 111 History of the American Languages
- POLS RCH Research classes include RCH/394/494 designated courses
Track Electives
- Track electives: one 100+ level course required; three 300+ level courses required
- Consult track department’s website here for courses designation/acceptability
Track Electives
- A total of 6 courses (3+ credits per each course) required - at least 1 of them must be at the 300-level or higher and at least 3 courses must be at the 200-level or higher
- Consult track department’s website here for course designation/acceptability
Wondering if DATASCI major is right for you? Schedule an advising appointment.