DATSC-BA - Data Science (BA)

Mission of the Undergraduate Program in Data Science 

The undergraduate program in Data Science aims to provide students with an analytical and quantitative foundation for tackling data-driven problems in science, industry, and society. Data science is an interdisciplinary field combining computational and inferential reasoning to extract knowledge or insights from data for use in various applications. It synthesizes the most relevant parts of foundational disciplines to solve particular problems or applications. As more data and new ways of analyzing data become available, our economy, society, and daily life will become even more dependent on our ability to learn from data systematically.  

Students pursuing a BA in Data Science and Social Systems will develop a rigorous understanding of methods and approaches from computer science, statistics, and the social sciences. They will learn to apply technical tools to address substantive problems in that domain. They will develop multiple fluencies in computational methods, broad domain knowledge and applications of social science, and the moral and political frameworks shaping social systems. The BA in Data Science and Social Systems is an ideal major to prepare students for work in the technology sector and a range of industries that require integrating quantitative thinking with an understanding of human behavior or public policy or for careers in the public and social sectors where data-intensive approaches are prized.

Students pursuing a BA in Data Science for Artistic and Cultural Analysis will learn to integrate a comprehensive knowledge of Data Science methods and theories alongside core critical thinking and creative skills from humanistic study and artistic practice. They will learn how to apply quantitative and statistical methods to the study of cultural and aesthetic objects; discover how data can change our understanding of history; practice the integration of computation into the creative process; and think critically and philosophically about the role of data in society, culture, and the arts. Students will gain fluency in a broad range of computational and statistical methods and will learn how to apply these skills to a variety of disciplinary domains including philosophy, history, literature, art, and cultural studies. The BA in Data Science for Artistic and Cultural Analysis will prepare students to work in industries and sectors where a deep knowledge of data science, creative thinking, and critical problem-solving skills are prized.

Before declaring the major, students must meet with a peer advisor, complete the program sheet, and meet with the Student Services Team. See the How to Declare on our website for more information.