The ability to reason effectively using data continues to grow in importance, whether in business, industry, or government, and the emerging discipline of Data Science is viewed as a critical enabler.

Our undergraduate bachelor's degree program in Data Science, offered by Clarkson's Department of Mathematics, provides students the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary, data-focused skillset and then apply those skills to real world challenges.       

Our data science courses are taught exclusively by faculty with small class sizes, giving you the attention you deserve. The program flexibility allows you to pursue a second major or minor of your interest while completing your bachelor's degree. Clarkson also offers undergraduate data science majors the ability to take graduate classes, a unique opportunity that can put you at the forefront of your chosen field.

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Data Science Careers

The demand for data science majors is far outstripping the nation’s ability to produce the skilled workforce required. The specific job opportunities for data science graduates are extremely broad, as every industry is look to use data to enable better decisions. 

-Forbes Top 25 STEM Colleges
Spotlight On: Class of 2019
Clarkson mathematics major Alicia Mangal found a job in the data science market

Alicia Mangal '19, from Schenectady, New York, immigrated to the United States with her family from Guyana when she was 8 years old and is the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree.

She will be working for SRCtec in Syracuse as a Manufacturing Analyst while she pursues her master’s degree. The former business major became interested in data analytics after taking a statistics course taught by Sumona Mondal, associate professor of Mathematics at Clarkson.

Read more about how Alicia and her classmates Chris Carter and Ryan Burnham (all mathematics majors) had positions awaiting them when they collected their diplomas even before Clarkson formalized the new Data Science undergraduate degree program. 

 

Data Science Curriculum & Academic Options

Major in Data Science

The Data Science undergraduate bachelor's degree program consists of 35 credit hours in mathematics and statistics, plus 6 credit hours is specially designated “Data Science” coursework and 6 credits of application electives, along with 22 credit hours in computer science and information systems. The program maintains flexibility with 24 credit hours of free electives. Data Science majors can take courses such as:

  • Ethics in Data Science and Applied Mathematics
  • Math Modeling and Software
  • Intro to Data Science
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Algorithm and Data Structure
  • Data Warehousing for Analytics
  • Database Design and Management
  • Computational Learning
  • Big Data Architecture
Data Science Major Curriculum

The data science program consists of 35 credit hours in mathematics and statistics, 6 credit hours in data science, 13 credit hours in computer science, 8 credit hours in science, 9 credit hours in information systems, and 6 credit hours in application electives. 24 credit hours are in free electives, which is enough to complete a minor or second major if you so choose.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.\

 

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)

 

Data Science Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:

Data Science/Information Systems

  • DS241 Introduction to Data Science
  • DS392 Ethics in Data Science and Applied Mathematics
  • IS314 Database Design & Management
  • IS415 Data Warehousing for Analytics
  • IS426 Big Data Architecture

Professional Experience

Students are required to complete the following Professional Experience:
MA499 Professional Experience (0 credits)

 

Mathematics Courses for Data Science

Students must complete the following 12 courses:

  • MA131 Calculus I
  • MA132 Calculus II
  • MA200 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling & Software 
  • MA211 Discrete Mathematics and Proof 
  • MA231 Calculus III 
  • MA339 Applied Linear Algebra
  • STAT 381 Probability
  • STAT 382 Mathematical Statistics
  • STAT 383 Probability and Statistics
  • STAT 384 Advanced Applied Statistics
  • STAT 385 Bayesian Data Analysis
  • STAT 488 Statistics Projects (2 credits)

 

Science Courses for Data Science

Computer Science

Students must complete the following four courses:

  • CS141 Introduction to Computer Science I (4 credits)
  • CS142 Introduction to Computer Science II
  • CS344 Algorithms and Data Structures
  • CS449 Computational Learning

Science

Students must complete two of following courses:

  • Biology (BY) 4-credit course with lab
  • Chemistry (CM) 4-credit course with lab
  • Physics (PH) 4-credit course with lab

 

Data Science Core Electives

Application Electives

Application Electives are courses from outside the MA, STAT, CS, and IS course designations that provide depth of knowledge in some domain. Students must take two 3-credit courses at the 200 level or higher, both from the same subject area, with the particular pairing approved by the Mathematics Department.

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students will have at least 18 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.

Free Electives*

Students will have approximately 24 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

*Up to 12 credit hours of advanced (300- or 400- level) coursework in Aerospace Studies or Military Science may count toward graduation requirements. Aerospace Studies or Military Science credits at the 100 and 200 levels do not count toward the required 120 hours. Other restrictions may apply; check with the Mathematics Department for details.

Minors

Data Science majors have the opportunity to explore minors that will complement the data science bachelor's degree. View our recommendations below or learn more about of Clarkson's minors, concentrations and professional advising tracks.

Clarkson Minors, Concentrations and Tracks

Computational Science Minor

The minor in Computational Science is available to students in any major. The minor allows students to develop an expertise in Computational Science while pursuing a conventional major, which provides the context wherein they apply their computational skills. 

To complete the minor the student must achieve a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in courses totaling at least 21 credits.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

 

Computational Science Minor Core I

Students are required to complete the following course:

  • MA377 Numerical Methods

Students must complete two of the following courses:

  • MA232 Elementary Differential Equations
  • MA239/MA339 Elementary Linear Algebra/Applied Linear Algebra
  • STAT282/STAT383 General Statistics/Probability and Statistics

Application area electives to make a total of 21 credits* 

*Application area electives are computational courses in departments other than Mathematics, typically drawn from the student’s major. The current list of approved courses is maintained by the Mathematics Department.

Computer Science Minor

The minor in computer science is designed to provide you with a solid and coherent introduction to computer science. The requirements are in two areas. The first area gives you a strong foundation in programming, basic software engineering principles and the design, analysis and implementation of data structures and algorithms. The second area consists of electives that allow you to explore various areas of computer science or specialize in one of these areas. The majority of the electives must be upper-level courses. A total of seven courses are required for the minor.

The minor in computer science is not open to students majoring in computer science or software engineering. Students must also achieve a GPA of 2.0 in the courses below.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

 

Computer Science Minor Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:*

  • CS141 Introduction to Computer Science I (4 credits)
  • CS142 Introduction to Computer Science II
  • MA211 Discrete Mathematics and Proof
  • CS344 Algorithms and Data Structures

 

Computer Science Minor Electives

Students must complete the following courses:**

  • Computer Science (CS) 200-level or above 3-credit course
  • Computer Science (CS) 300-level or above 3-credit course
  • Computer Science (CS) 400-level or above 3-credit course

 

Course Substitutions

*Some course substitutions are possible. A list of acceptable substitutions is maintained by the department and updated annually. Currently, the allowed substitutions are EE261 for CS141, EE363 for CS142, EE360 for CS241 and MA346 for MA21l.

**Certain courses cannot be used to satisfy the electives. A list of all exclusions is available from the department and updated annually. The current list includes all courses titled Directed Study, Computer Science Clinic, or Undergraduate Research.

Information Technology Minor

The Information Technology minor consists of a total of 21 credit hours. Students will take courses related to problem solving and programming, computer systems, database administration, computer networks, and web technologies.

The minor is available to all students in any degree program.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

 

Information Technology Minor Core I

Students are required to complete the following courses:

  • CS141 Introduction to Computer Science I (4 credits)
  • or EE261 Introduction to Programming and Software Design
  • CS142 Introduction to Computer Science II
  • or EE361 Fundamentals of Software Engineering

 

Information Technology Minor Core II

Students must complete the following courses:

Computer Systems

  • CS241 Computer Organization
  • or EE360 Microprocessors

Database Administration

  • IS314 Database Design & Management*

 

Information Technology Minor Core III

Students must complete the following courses:

Web Technologies**

  • COMM442
  • COMM444

Computer Networks

  • EE407/CS455 Computer Networks

 

*For School of Business Majors for whom IS314 is not a required course, IS211 may be used to fulfill this requirement.

**These courses are yet to be determined. Check back for updates or contact your advisor!

Experiential Learning

Research Opportunities

Mathematics and Data Science faculty are constantly doing research in various topics. As early as in your freshman year, you can ask to be part of that research. Also, undergraduate data science research projects may earn academic credit (either as Directed Study, Undergraduate Research, or Honors Thesis) and may involve work during the semester or summer.

Internship and Co-op Opportunities

Math and Data Science students have broad access to internships and co-ops. Math teaches critical thinking skills needed in every domain. The ability to use and interpret data is also an essential skill.

What's your purpose? Achieve it here.

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