Data Science (B.S.)

Program Overview

In the Cybersecurity program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Data Science program will:

  1. Demonstrate the knowledge of key content for data science majors including:
    • Calculus and linear algebra
    • Database management and security
    • Probability theory
    • Data summarization and visualization
    • Statistical modeling
    • Statistical inference
  2. Demonstrate the professional skills needed in the field of data science including:
    •  Design computer programs and interfaces
    • Use calculus appropriately in modeling and analysis of problems
    • Effectively acquire and clean data and securely manage a database to house this data
    • Effectively model data and present the results appropriately
    • Conduct appropriate analyses and explain the results of their work plainly in terms appropriate to their audience
    • Identify key assumptions of their analyses and justify the validity and quality of their models and results
  3. Function effectively as part of a project team to build models, complete analyses, and communicate results professionally.
  4. Identify employment options within the field of data science, as well as in related computing and quantitative disciplines.
  5. Relate Christian faith and data science.
  6. Articulate ethical considerations in data science from differing frameworks and compare their relative strengths and weaknesses in various data related contexts.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

CIS 181Computer Programming I

3

CIS 284Computer Programming II

3

CIS 285Data Structures

3

CIS 332Database Concepts

3

CIS 418Machine Learning

3

DASC 201Introduction to Data Science

3

DASC 345Time Series Analysis

3

DASC 421Advanced Statistical Methods

3

INTE 391Internship

1-3

MATH 111Calculus I

4

MATH 112Calculus II

4

MATH 261Linear Algebra

3

MATH 496Mathematics Capstone

2

STAT 291Probability and Statistics

3

STAT 292Inferential Statistics

3

STAT 325Experimental Design

3

STAT 331Nonparametric Statistical Methods

3

INTE 391: Three credits must be taken for a letter grade to fulfill major requirement.

General Education Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement   0
General Education requirements   Credits
First Year Seminar IDFY 101/102H  3
Written Communication ENGL 110/110H 3
Oral Communication COMM 105 3
Mathematical and Scientific Ways of Knowing Mathematics (MATH 111) met/major
Science with Lab 3 or 4
Social Scientific Ways of Knowing
Social Science 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 24GE History 3
Literary & Aesthetic Ways of Knowing
Literature or Arts 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing

Philosophy or Religion

3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 1st and 2nd Level Language 6
Intercultural Perspectives Intercultural Global or International Cross-cultural or 3rd Level Language 3
Bible
24GE Bible 3
Christian Beliefs
24GE Christian Beliefs  3
Holistic Wellness
WELL 1xx 1
Ethics and the Common Good
24GE Ethics and the Common Good 3
Intercultural Perspectives
Intercultural U.S. or Domestic Cross-cultural 3
Common Learning
Experiential Learning (INTE 391) met/major 
General Education requirements   46-47
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration)   52
Free Electives    24-25
Total credits   123