Data Science Programs
Data science is a rapidly growing field that is revolutionizing science and society. Many aspects of our economy, our culture, and our daily lives are increasingly dependent on data and data analysis tools.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is meeting the increased demand for data science education with new degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The programs prepare UConn students to analyze large, complex data across a broad array of disciplines.
36%
Expected increase in data scientist jobs between 2021-2031
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Undergraduate Degree Programs
UConn undergraduates can apply for admission to two degrees: a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Statistical Data Science and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Data Analysis.
Both majors provide students with a diverse education that they can tailor to their interests. Students learn the technical aspects of data science, as well as the social and ethical implications of how data are collected, analyzed, and used.
The programs position graduates to succeed in careers where they will develop solutions to a range of pressing issues in business, education, health care, policy, and beyond.
BS in Statistical Data Science
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Statistical Data Science, offered through the Department of Statistics, gives students a strong foundational core in quantitative analysis and programming.
Statistical data science majors take interdisciplinary classes in programming, advanced data analysis, data visualization, and data ethics, as well as coursework in a domain area of their choice. Domain options include advanced statistics, American political representation, biological data science, financial analysis, and marine sciences.
Outcomes: Graduates of this program will be able to work in almost any industry in roles where they will operate and design analytical systems, prepare data, coordinate analysis, visualize output, and support data-driven decisions.
BA in Applied Data Analysis
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Data Analysis provides students with technical skills required to analyze data on social questions and to report results effectively to non-technical audiences.
Applied data analysis majors take interdisciplinary classes in programming, basic data analysis, data visualization, and data ethics, as well as coursework in a domain area of their choice. Domain options include American political representation, earth data science, population dynamics, public management and policy, and survey research methods.
Outcomes: Graduates of this program will be able to analyze and draw appropriate conclusions from data. They will also be able to communicate their findings via visualization tools and written reports to the general public.
Graduate Degree Programs
MS in Data Science
The Master of Science (MS) in Data Science is an interdisciplinary professional graduate degree designed to advance students’ skills for careers as professional data scientists. Graduates of the program will be able to collect, analyze, visualize, and communicate complex data, and apply their skills across an array of industries.
The curriculum combines the expertise of faculty from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; the School of Business; the College of Engineering; and the Neag School of Education.
Careers in Data Science
The changing workplace requires more and more people with a basic understanding of data science, as well as college graduates with highly-developed data science skills.
This doesn’t just apply to STEM fields. Journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, and administrators in the public and private sector increasingly need to understand and use data in their work.
Graduates of CLAS data science programs can expect to find work in a wide variety of professional realms. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates an increase of about 40,000 data scientist positions between 2021 and 2031, representing about a 36% increase in one decade. The growth is expected to stem from increased demand for data-driven decisions, especially as technology evolves.
Contact the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills to learn more about careers in data science.
$120.6K
Median advertised salary for data science job postings in Connecticut, 2022
Source: Lightcast labor market analytics