When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s) and the Academic Planning Tool.
Data Science
The Data Science major is a program that combines Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science with an area of application to give students the tools necessary to pursue a career in the field. The major is intended for students who desire a strong technical background in the areas that form the discipline of Data Science.
Learning Goals
Students will develop:
- Proficiency in relevant data analysis techniques such as data cleaning and statistical modeling. (Covered in CSCI-301, CSCI-401, MATH-180)
- Proficiency in programming languages and tools such as Python, R, and data manipulation libraries. (CSCI-181, CSCI-182, CSCI-281, CSCI-301, CSCI-401)
- Proficiency in effective communication both orally and in writing to various stakeholders including non-technical audiences. (CSCI-500 capstone)
Students will be evaluated in the courses covering the various skills and in a capstone course.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Data Science
To earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science, a student must complete, with grades of C- or better, the equivalent of the following:
4 CSCI-181 Principles of Computer Science
4 CSCI-182 Object-oriented Programming and Design
4 CSCI-281 Data Structures
4 CSCI-301 Data Mining
4 CSCI-381 Algorithms
4 CSCI-401 Machine Learning
4 MATH-111 Calculus I
4 MATH-112 Calculus II
4 MATH-180 Statistical Methods
4 MATH-201 Linear Algebra
4 MATH-211 Multivariate Calculus
4 MATH-221 Discrete Structures
4 CSCI-500 Senior Colloquium
In addition to the courses above, a student must complete a sequence of three courses outside the department chosen from the list below or another sequence approved by the Mathematics and Computer Science department:
Anthropology: ANTH-162; either ANTH-235 or SOCI-245; either ANTH-341 or ANTH-310
Biology: either BIOL-101 or BIOL-102; BIOL-220; one 300-level or higher BIOL course including lab
Chemistry: CHEM-103; CHEM-242; CHEM-341
Earth and Environmental Sciences: EENV-101; one of EENV-105, EENV-220 or EENV-240; EENV-360
Ecology: ECOL-100; BIOL-220; one 300-level or higher ECOL course including lab
History: One 100-level HIST course; HIST-300; HIST-401
Physics: PHYS-204; PHYS-206; either PHYS-307 or PHYS-401
Political Science: One of POLI-111, POLI-121, POLI-131 or POLI-212; POLI-205; POLI 305
Psychology: PSYC-101; PSYC-223; one 300-level or higher PSYC course
Sociology: SOCI-101; SOCI-235 or SOCI-245; one of SOCI-102, SOCI-255
Double-counting Restriction
Students double majoring in Computer Science and Data Science cannot count CSCI-301 and CSCI-401 as Computer Science electives.
Interdisciplinary Options
Students majoring in computer science can easily complete a minor in another department. Areas such as accounting, business, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics or a modern language are natural choices. Highly motivated students whose interests cross traditional departmental lines may also wish to consider the self-designed major option, developing an integrated program of study from courses in several departments. For further information, see the majors and minors section.