BS in Data Science

Degree Program Description

The BS in Data Science is offered in three focus areas through two colleges. Students electing the computer science focus earn their degree from the College of Engineering.  Students electing either the mathematics focus or the statistics focus earn their degree from the College of Arts and Science. The choice of a focus area allows students to take specialized coursework in whichever of the three areas they have the most interest. The degree, BS in Data Science, is the same for all three focuses.

The BS in Data Science is an interdisciplinary degree built on a core triad of fields: statistics, mathematics, and computer science. Students in this program will learn how to acquire, analyze, communicate, and develop models from data through application of statistical, mathematical, and computer science skills. They will also learn data ethics and governance, including legitimate use and algorithmic fairness, as well as privacy, security, and stewardship. In their final year, students will demonstrate their ability to apply knowledge and skills and integrate them into a major data science project. The program allows students to complete their major and general education requirements with room for additional minors or certificates to further prepare them for careers or advanced study. With careful planning, students are also able to complete a second major in the affiliated triad disciplines (CS, Math, Statistics) or in Information Technology. Students who complete the BS in Data Science are prepared for careers in virtually every sector of industry, government, and academia, as well as advanced degrees.

Major Program Requirements

The BS in Data Science requires a total of 120 credit hours for completion. Within the major proper, all students must complete a total of 60 hours, consisting of the following four parts: 1) a core curriculum of 10 required courses (30 credits); 2) four intermediate-level core courses (12 credits) from a restricted list of six; 3) four advanced courses (12 credits) within the chosen focus area of Computer Science, Mathematics, or Statistics; and 4) 6 credits of experiential coursework consisting of case studies, internships, research, and/or thesis, 3 credits of which meet the MU capstone requirement. Students may meet the 6-credit requirement through a combination of such experiential coursework.

Students who complete the degree with the Computer Science focus will receive their degree from the College of Engineering; those who complete in Mathematics or Statistics will receive their degree from the College of Arts and Science.

Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Data Science are required to complete University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated. Selected foundational courses, which may fulfill some University general education requirements. 

Core Courses
DATA_SCI 1030Foundations of Data Science3
STAT 2800Intuition, Simulation, and Data3
CMP_SC 1300Computing with Data in Python3
CMP_SC 2300Introduction to Computational Data Visualization3
CMP_SC 3380Database Applications and Information Systems3
STAT 4510Applied Statistical Models I3
STAT 4520Applied Statistical Models II3
MATH 1400Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I3
or MATH 1500 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
MATH 2320Discrete Mathematical Structures3
MATH 4140Matrix Theory3
Total Credits30
Intermediate Courses
Students must select 12 credits from the following list.
CMP_SC 4350Big Data Analytics3
CMP_SC 4720Introduction to Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition3
STAT 4560Applied Multivariate Data Analysis3
STAT 4640Introduction to Bayesian Data Analysis3
MATH 2100Calculus for Social and Life Sciences II3
or MATH 1700 Calculus II
MATH 4100Differential Equations3
Advanced Focus Courses
Students must select 12 credits from within one of the focus areas in the following list.
Computer Science Focus
CMP_SC 4540Neural Models and Machine Learning3
CMP_SC 4740Interdisciplinary Introduction to NLP3
CMP_SC 4750Artificial Intelligence I3
CMP_SC 4770Introduction to Computational Intelligence3
Statistics Focus
STAT 4150Applied Categorical Data Analysis3
STAT 4310Sampling Techniques3
STAT 4330Methods in Sports Analytics I3
STAT 4340Methods in Sports Analytics II3
STAT 4410Biostatistics and Clinical Trials3
STAT 4420Applied Survival Analysis3
STAT 4430Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis3
STAT 4450Applied Statistical Methods for Bioinformatics3
STAT 4540Experimental Design3
STAT 4610Applied Spatial Statistics3
STAT 4710Introduction to Mathematical Statistics3
Mathematics Focus
MATH 4310Numerical Linear Algebra3
MATH 4500Applied Analysis3
MATH 4355Quantitative Finance and Insurance I3
MATH 4540Mathematical Modeling I3
MATH 4590Quantitative Finance and Insurance II3
Experiential Courses
Students must select 6 credits from the following list.
CMP_SC 4990Undergraduate Research in Computer Science0-6
CMP_SC 4995Undergraduate Research in Computer Science - Honors1-6
MATH 4960Special Readings in Mathematics1-3
MATH 4996Honors in Mathematics2
STAT 4999Departmental Honors in Statistics1-3
STAT 4085Problems in Statistics for Undergraduates1-3
INTDSC 4971Capstone Internship in Interdisciplinary Studies1-6

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Semester Plans

The following are sample plan of study for each focus. This sample plans may very from each student's own plan of study depending on their pace in the program and individual choices of options for each focus area.

Sample Plan of Study - Computer Science focus:

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
DATA_SCI 10303CMP_SC 10504
CMP_SC 13003MATH 17005
MATH 15005STAT 28003
ENGLSH 10003Elective (Humanities and/or Fine Arts)3
 14 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMP_SC 20504CMP_SC 30503
MATH 23003CMP_SC 33303
MATH 23203CMP_SC 33803
CMP_SC 23003STAT 47103
Elective (Humanities and/or Fine Arts)3Soc/Beh Science Elective3
 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
STAT 45103MATH 41403
CMP_SC 43503STAT 46403
Constitutional Elec Soc/Beh Science3STAT 45203
Biological or Physical Science with Lab3Elective (Humanities and/or Fine Arts)3
Elective Courses3Elective Courses3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMP_SC 45403CMP_SC 47503
CMP_SC 47403CMP_SC 47703
CMP_SC 47203CMP_SC 4990 (as Writing Intensive)3
CMP_SC 49903Elective Courses3
Soc/Beh Science Elective3Elective Courses3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120

Sample Plan of Study - Mathematics focus:

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMP_SC 13003CMP_SC 23003
DATA_SCI 10303MATH 17005
ENGLSH 10003STAT 28003
MATH 15005Elective (Humanities and/or Fine Arts)3
Elective (Am. Hist / Govt.)3 
 17 14
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 23003CMP_SC 33803
MATH 23203MATH 41003
STAT 45103MATH 41403
Elective (Social Science)3Elective (bio / physical science lab)4
Elective (first WI)3Elective2
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 43553MATH 45403
MATH 45003STAT 45603
STAT 45203STAT 46403
Elective (behavioral science)3Elective (Bio / physical / math science)3
Elective Course (social science)3Elective (Humanities and/or Fine Arts)3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 4960 or 49963INTDSC 49713
Elective (2nd WI 3000+ level)3MATH 45903
Elective (behavioral science)3Elective (social science)3
Elective (bio / physical / math science)3Electives5
Elective (humanities / fine arts)3 
 15 14
Total Credits: 120

Sample Plan of Study - Statistics focus:

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMP_SC 13003CMP_SC 23003
DATA_SCI 10303MATH 17005
ENGLSH 10003STAT 28003
MATH 15005Elective (Humanities and/or Fine Arts)3
Elective (Am. Hist / Govt.)3 
 17 14
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 23003CMP_SC 33803
STAT 41503MATH 23203
STAT 45103STAT 47103
Elective (Social Science)3Elective (bio / physical science lab)4
Elective (first WI)3Elective2
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 41403CMP_SC 47203
STAT 44103STAT 45403
STAT 45203STAT 45603
Elective (behavioral science)3Elective (Bio / physical / math science)3
Elective Course (social science)3Elective (Humanities and/or Fine Arts)3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
STAT 4085 or 49993INTDSC 4971 or STAT 49403
Elective (2nd WI 3000+ level)3STAT 46403
Elective (behavioral science)3Elective (social science)3
Elective (bio / physical / math science)3Electives5
Elective (humanities / fine arts)3 
 15 14
Total Credits: 120

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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