B.S. in Data Science

student sitting at a computer receiving guidance from a professor

The Data Science program prepares students to analyze and interpret large volumes of data—an increasingly critical skill across all sectors.

At the Daytona Beach Campus in Florida, students study statistics, programming, and machine learning while benefiting from extensive research facilities, industry connections, and access to a large technology-focused campus environment.

At the Prescott Campus in Arizona, the program emphasizes smaller class sizes and hands-on, project-based learning within a STEM-focused academic setting that encourages collaboration between data science, engineering, and cybersecurity students.

The program is also available online through the Worldwide Campus, providing a flexible option for working professionals, military members, and remote learners to develop skills in data analysis, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making from anywhere. This interdisciplinary program focuses on the mathematics, statistics, and computer science necessary to understand and employ machine learning algorithms to model observations and make predictions. ​The program includes a specialization in Applied Data Science​. Students who complete the program will gain a deep understanding of and expertise in the typical data science pipeline: gathering, processing, analyzing, and presenting data.

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Acquire data from a variety of sources including public research, web pages, and social media.
  • Assimilate skills acquired through the degree program in application to a capstone project providing solutions to real-world challenges.
  • Communicate deftly with proficiency in both verbal and nonverbal communication.
  • Convert unstructured and varied data into analysis-ready form.
  • Implement data storage and processing architectures across clusters of commodity hardware and cloud resources.
  • Use data to construct evidence-based solutions.
  • Manage issues related to program performance, scalability, and high-availability.
  • Use statistical theory and modern machine learning techniques to model observations and make predictions.
  • Present actionable results of data analysis in multimedia formats to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
  • Use software packages and libraries to support data analysis.

Daytona Beach Program Requirements

General Education Requirements39
Core Requirements33
Area of Concentration18
Minor or Double Major15
Electives15
Total Credits120

General Education Requirements

Communication9
English Composition
Speech
Technical Communication
Humanities - Lower Level3
Social Sciences - Lower Level3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Lower or Upper Level3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level3
Computer Science/Information Technology3
Introduction to Computing for Engineers
Scientific Programming in C
Mathematics8
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
Physical/Life Sciences *7
Total Credits39
*

One course must include a Lab.

Core Requirements

CPSC 222Introduction to Discrete Structures3
CPSC 225Computer Science II3
CPSC 225LComputer Science II Laboratory1
CPSC 315Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms3
CPSC 317Files and Database Systems3
DSCI 412Data Visualization3
DSCI 413Statistics for Data Science3
DSCI 490Data Science Capstone3
MATH 243Calculus and Analytical Geometry III4
MATH 392Applied Linear Algebra3
MATH 412Probability and Statistics3
UNIV 101College Success1
Total Credits33

Area of Concentration

Applied Data Science

DSCI 390Research Project in Industrial Mathematics3
DSCI 440Data Mining3
MATH 210Introduction to Data Science3
MATH 360Mathematical Modeling and Simulation I3
MATH 305Introduction to Scientific Computing3
MATH 453High Performance Scientific Computing3
Total Credits18

Minor or Double Major

All Students Must Declare & Complete Any Minor/Two Degrees of Same Rank/Double Major15
Total Credits15

Open Electives

Electives - Upper Level6
Open Electives - Lower or Upper Level9
Total Credits15

Suggested Plan of Study

Year One

Fall
RequirementsCredits
COMM 122 - English Composition3
MATH 241 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry I4
UNIV 101 - College Success1
ENGR 115 - Introduction to Computing for Engineers3
Humanities - Lower Level (140 Series)3
Semester Hours14
Spring
RequirementsCredits
COMM 219 - Speech3
MATH 210 - Introduction to Data Science3
MATH 242 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry II4
Humanities - Lower Level (140 Series)3
Physical/Life Sciences3
Semester Hours16

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Year Two

Fall
RequirementsCredits
MATH 243 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry III4
MATH 305 - Introduction to Scientific Computing3
CPSC 222 - Introduction to Discrete Structures3
Physical/Life Sciences3
Physical/Life Sciences Lab1
Semester Hours14
Spring
RequirementsCredits
COMM 221 - Technical Communication3
CPSC 225 - Computer Science II and CPSC 225L - Computer Science II Laboratory4
MATH 412 - Probability and Statistics3
Open Elective3
Minor Course3
Semester Hours16

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Year Three

Fall
RequirementsCredits
MATH 392 - Applied Linear Algebra3
DSCI 390 - Research Project in Industrial Mathematics3
CPSC 315 - Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms3
Minor Elective3
Open Elective3
Semester Hours15
Spring
RequirementsCredits
MATH 360 - Mathematical Modeling and Simulation I3
DSCI 413 - Statistics for Data Science3
CPSC 317 - Files and Database Systems3
Minor Elective3
Open Elective3
Semester Hours15

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Year Four

Fall
RequirementsCredits
DSCI 412 - Data Visualization3
DSCI 440 - Data Mining3
DSCI 490 - Data Science Capstone3
Minor Elective3
Open Elective3
Semester Hours15
Spring
RequirementsCredits
MATH 453 - High Performance Scientific Computing3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Lower or Upper Level3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level3
Minor Elective3
Open Elective3
Semester Hours15

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Prescott Program Requirements

General Education Requirements40
Core Requirements32
Program Support19
Track Electives15
Open Electives15
Total Credits121

Program Details

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science program requires successful completion of a minimum of 121 credit hours. The program may be completed in eight semesters, or four years, assuming appropriate background and full-time enrollment. Students pursuing this undergraduate degree must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.00 for all work completed at the University. Students are required to complete a track of specialization and may select coursework from disciplines such as Business, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Economics, Intelligence, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology, subject to program approval. The courses necessary to earn this degree are listed below.
 
Students should be aware that many courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Students are encouraged to participate in applied practicum experiences, such as internships, cooperative education opportunities, or undergraduate research, to gain practical experience and enhance career readiness.
 

General Education Requirements

Communication9
English Composition
Speech
Technical Communication
Humanities - Lower Level3
Social Sciences - Lower Level3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Lower or Upper Level3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level3
Computer Science/Information Technology3
Fundamentals of Computer Programming
Mathematics8
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
Physical/Life Sciences8
Two Courses Must Include Labs
Total Credits40

Core Requirements

CPSC 222Introduction to Discrete Structures3
CPSC 125Computer Science I3
CPSC 125LComputer Science I Laboratory1
CPSC 315Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms3
CPSC 317Files and Database Systems3
DSCI 412Data Visualization3
DSCI 413Statistics for Data Science3
DSCI 490Data Science Capstone3
MATH 243Calculus and Analytical Geometry III4
MATH 335Introduction to Linear and Abstract Algebra3
MATH 412Probability and Statistics3
Total Credits32

Program Support Courses

DSCI 150Data Science I: Introduction3
DSCI 151Data Science II: Foundations3
DSCI 244Data Acquisition and Manipulation3
DSCI 312Machine Learning3
DSCI 317Statistical Software3
DSCI 483Cloud Computing3
UNIV 101College Success1
Total Credits19

Track Electives

Choose 5 electives from a single discipline, subject to Program Chair approval, including:15
Business, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Economics, Intelligence, Math, Physics, or Psychology
Total Credits15

Open Electives

Open Electives - Upper Level6
Social Science (SOSC) - Upper Level3
CISE 460Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning3
SFTW 300Software Engineering Practices3
Total Credits15

Suggested Plan of Study

Year One

Fall
RequirementsCredits
COMM 122 - English Composition3
CPSC 118 - Fundamentals of Computer Programming3
DSCI 150 - Data Science I: Introduction3
MATH 241 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry I4
UNIV 101 - College Success1
Semester Hours14
Spring
RequirementsCredits
COMM 219 - Speech3
CPSC 125 - Computer Science I3
CPSC 125L - Computer Science I Laboratory1
DSCI 151 - Data Science II: Foundations3
MATH 242 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry II4
Humanities - Lower Level3
Semester Hours17

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 31

Year Two

Fall
RequirementsCredits
CPSC 222 - Introduction to Discrete Structures3
MATH 243 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry III4
Physical/Life Sciences with Lab4
Social Sciences - Lower Level3
Track Elective3
Semester Hours17
Spring
RequirementsCredits
DSCI 244 - Data Acquisition and Manipulation3
MATH 335 - Introduction to Linear and Abstract Algebra3
MATH 412 - Probability and Statistics3
SFTW 300 - Software Engineering Practices3
Track Elective3
Semester Hours15

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 32

Year Three

Fall
RequirementsCredits
COMM 221 - Technical Communication3
CPSC 315 - Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms3
DSCI 312 - Machine Learning3
Phsyical/Life Sciences with Lab4
Track Elective3
Semester Hours16
Spring
RequirementsCredits
CISE 460 - Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning3
DSCI 317 - Statistical Software3
DSCI 413 - Statistics for Data Science3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level3
Track Elective3
Semester Hours15

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 31

Year Four

Fall
RequirementsCredits
CPSC 317 - Files and Database Systems3
DSCI 412 - Data Visualization3
DSCI 483 - Cloud Computing3
Track Elective3
Open Elective - Upper Level3
Semester Hours15
Spring
RequirementsCredits
DSCI 490 - Data Science Capstone3
Social Sciences - Upper Level3
Humanities - Upper Level3
Open Elective - Upper Level3
Semester Hours12

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 27

Worldwide Program Requirements

General Education Requirements39
Core Requirements31
Area of Concentration19
Minor15-22
Open Electives9-16
Total Credits120

Program Details

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students enrolled in the Worldwide Undergraduate Online program may complete the degree in 20 terms, or approximately four years, assuming full-time enrollment and continuous progress. Students pursuing this undergraduate degree must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.00 for all work completed at the University. The courses required to earn this degree are listed below.

Students should be aware that many courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Students are responsible for ensuring that all prerequisite and degree requirements are satisfied prior to enrollment in advanced coursework. The suggested plan of study is provided as a guide. A student's actual plan of study may vary based on term of admission, course availability, transfer credit, and other academic considerations. Students should consult with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan of study.

Students are required to complete an approved minor in consultation with their academic advisor. The Applied Data Science and Mathematics minors may not be selected to fulfill this requirement. The selected minor should complement the student's academic interests and career goals while satisfying degree requirements.

General Education Requirements

Communication9
English Composition
Speech
Technical Communication
Humanities - Lower Level3
Social Sciences - Lower Level3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Lower or Upper Level3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level3
Computer Science/Information Technology3
Scientific Programming in C
Mathematics8
Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
Physical/Life Sciences7
Total Credits39

Core Requirements

CPSC 222Introduction to Discrete Structures3
CPSC 225Computer Science II3
CPSC 315Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms3
CPSC 317Files and Database Systems3
DSCI 412Data Visualization3
DSCI 413Statistics for Data Science3
DSCI 491Applied Data Science Capstone3
MATH 243Calculus and Analytical Geometry III4
MATH 392Applied Linear Algebra3
MATH 412Probability and Statistics3
Total Credits31

Area of Concentration

Applied Data Science

CPSC 251Introduction to Programming for Data Science3
CPSC 399Special Topics in Computer Science3
DSCI 201Introduction to Data Science Applications3
DSCI 310Data Storytelling3
DSCI 440Data Mining3
MATH 345Differential Equations and Matrix Methods4
Total Credits19

Minor

All Students Must Declare and Complete a Minor15-22
Total Credits15-22

Open Electives

Open Electives - Upper Level *
Open Electives - Lower or Upper Level *
Total Credits9-16*
*

Open Elective Credits will vary based on Minor selected

Suggested Plan of Study

Year One

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
CPSC 251 - Introduction to Programming for Data Science3
MATH 241 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry I4
Semester Hours7
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
DSCI 201 - Introduction to Data Science Applications3
MATH 242 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry II4
Semester Hours7
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
Humanities - Lower Level3
MATH 243 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry III4
Semester Hours7
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
Physical/Life Sciences3
COMM 122 - English Composition3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
COMM 219 - Speech3
Social Science – Lower Level 3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 33

Year Two

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
Physical/Life Sciences3
Physical/Life Sciences Lab1
Semester Hours4
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
MATH 345 - Differential Equations and Matrix Methods4
COMM 221 - Technical Communication3
Semester Hours7
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
MATH 392 - Applied Linear Algebra3
MATH 412 - Probability and Statistics3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
DSCI 413 - Statistics for Data Science3
DSCI 310 - Data Storytelling3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
Humanities/Social Science – Lower or Upper Level3
Minor/Open Elective4
Semester Hours7

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Year Three

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
CPSC 222 - Introduction to Discrete Structures3
CPSC 223 - Scientific Programming in C3
Semester Hours6
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
CPSC 225 - Computer Science II3
Minor/Open Elective3
Semester Hours6
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
CPSC 315 - Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms3
DSCI 412 - Data Visualization3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
CPSC 317 - Files and Database Systems3
Minor/Open Elective3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
Minor/Open Elective3
Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 30

Year Four

Term 1
RequirementsCredits
CPSC 399 - Special Topics in Computer Science3
Minor/Open Elective3
Semester Hours6
Term 2
RequirementsCredits
Minor/Open Elective3
Minor/Open Elective3
Semester Hours6
Term 3
RequirementsCredits
DSCI 440 - Data Mining3
Minor/Open Elective3
Semester Hours6
Term 4
RequirementsCredits
Minor/Open Elective3
Minor/Open Elective3
Semester Hours6
Term 5
RequirementsCredits
DSCI 491 - Applied Data Science Capstone3
Semester Hours3

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 27

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Estimated Cost of Attendance: California Student Information