B.S., Data Sciences
Applied Data Sciences option
Analyze. Discover. Inform. Act.
More than 90% of the world's data was created in the last two years, but its true value lies in how it is analyzed and applied. The B.S., Data Sciences program positions you to uncover patterns and actionable insights from massive amounts of unstructured data that can drive informed decision-making. By leveraging resources from three colleges, you'll gain both depth and breadth in data sciences so you can harness the power and potential of big data to address scientific and societal challenges in fields like education, sustainability, and health care.
Is Data Sciences Right for Me?
Data Sciences combines technology with computer science, math, and statistics, leveraging the power of three colleges to help you solve real-world problems. This program could be a great fit if you want to
- analyze information to discover new insights
- apply data analytics to make strategic decisions
- understand how data can be used to visualize phenomena using AI and data science techniques
What You'll Study
Gain foundational knowledge and state-of-the-art skills needed to harness the incredible power of big data by exploring topics like these.
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Data Integration
- Algorithmic and Data-Oriented Problem-Solving
- Language, Logic, and Discrete Mathematics
- Visual Analytics
- Programming Models for Big Data
- Privacy and Security in Data Sciences
- Ethical Issues in Data Science Practice
Application Focus Areas
Pick an application focus area or work with an adviser to create your own so you can develop and apply more specialized knowledge in a specific field.
- Astronomy
- Business Fundamentals
- Economics
- Food Science
- Human-Centered Design and Development
- Information and Cybersecurity Sciences
- Nutrition
- Psychology
- Custom Application Focus
Three Colleges. One Major.
The B.S., Data Sciences program leverages the strengths of three colleges to help you learn the technical fundamentals of data sciences and develop the critical skills needed to manage and analyze large-scale unstructured data. You’ll take two years of common courses and then select from one of the three options below to explore in depth.
- Applied Data Sciences option (offered by the College of Information Sciences and Technology)
- Computational Data Sciences option (offered by the College of Engineering)
- Statistical Modeling Data Sciences option (offered by the Eberly College of Sciences)
Students in all three options come together in their junior and senior years for two shared capstone experiences.
The Power of Internships
Every Data Sciences student must complete at least one internship before graduating—most complete more than one, and 84% receive a job offer from an internship provider. With hundreds of organizations recruiting and a dedicated Career Solutions team to support you, you'll have the tools and opportunities to launch your career.
View Past Internships“The Data Sciences program is unique in that aims to provide students with knowledge and skills from three related disciplines: statistics, computer science and informatics. Students learn not only methods and tools from these three areas, but also the synergy of combining them.
John Yen , Professor
Discover Your Career
Technology is ever-changing, and so are the careers that create, use, and study it. As you work toward your degree, you’ll identify and refine your career interests through courses, student organizations, and experiential opportunities. With guidance and resources from our dedicated Career Solutions team—from your first job to the executive suite—you'll gain the technical expertise, business savvy, and communication skills to lead in business, health care, defense, technology, and countless other industries.
Data Engineer
Builds and maintains data pipelines to collect, store, and integrate data from various sources, supporting analytics and business intelligence across systems.
Machine Learning Engineer
Focuses on research, development, and design of automated AI systems for data classification, pattern recognition, and predictions, developing machine learning algorithms to create predictive models.
Distributed Systems Engineer
Builds and manages distributed computing environments, designing fault-tolerant, high-availability systems that support large-scale data integration and management across multiple locations.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Designs and implements systems for data-driven decision-making, building dashboards, reports, and visualizations using business intelligence tools to present integrated business insights.
Business Systems Analyst/Consultant
Analyzes business problems and designs technology solutions, bridging gaps through architecture, tools, or software applications to resolve issues and improve processes.
Data Analyst
Gathers, cleans, and interprets data to provide insights, collaborating across functions to integrate data and create a cohesive view of operations.
Computer Programmer/Analyst
Writes and tests code to ensure applications and software function properly, converting program designs into executable instructions for computers.
Software Engineer
Applies programming languages and engineering principles to design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to analyze user needs, create efficient algorithms, and implement scalable solutions.
Data Specialist
Manages, secures, and optimizes databases, ensuring data integrity, backup, recovery, and high availability, with a focus on distributed systems across multiple locations or cloud environments.
Nittany AI Alliance
Through mentored research, student organizations like Nittany Data Labs, and experiential learning opportunities like those offered through the Nittany AI Alliance, Data Sciences students can extend learning far beyond the classroom. Nittany AI Alliance connects students with industry partners to address real-world problems with AI-based solutions. Through challenges, internships, and events, you can put your data sciences knowledge to work.
Connect with Nittany AI