Data science is one of the fastest growing industries in Connecticut and the United States, far outpacing the overall job market. This interdisciplinary field uses computer science and statistics to process, analyze, visualize, and extract meaningful insights from data to inform decisions. Students learn Python, R, SQL, Tableau and other software languages.
Data science can be applied to fields as diverse as business, finance, healthcare, sports, environmental science, climate science, health science and medicine, political science, defense, social science, human culture, education, and more.
Why Study Data Science at Eastern?
Students in Eastern’s interdisciplinary Data Science program receive training in statistics, computer science, business analytics, and geospatial information systems. They learn Python, R, SQL, Tableau and other software languages. Data-driven team projects provide opportunities for students to apply data science tools and techniques as well as develop collaboration and communication skills. Students also build a portfolio of their work by graduation. Students may choose between a B.A. and a B.S.; Bachelor of Science students must declare one of four concentrations in Mathematics, Business Analytics, Geographic Information Systems, or Computer Science, while the Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students who wish to combine Data Science with an additional major. In addition to this interdisciplinary major, there is a Data Science concentration in the Mathematics major.
Concentrations
The Business Analytics concentration offers students the data and analysis skills in high demand by employers in career fields ranging from accounting to economics, finance, healthcare, human resources, information systems, insurance, management, marketing, operations, supply chain, technology and more. Courses in the concentration teach students real-world applied data manipulation, analysis and visualization techniques, as well as the business purpose and value of the findings. These skills give students a competitive advantage landing internships and higher paying career positions.
The Computer Science concentration emphasizes the computational and coding aspects of Data Science. This concentration prepares students for careers and graduate programs that involve both writing code to analyze data and developing tools for data management, analysis, and visualization.
In the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) concentration, students explore and become operational in the emerging and unique discipline based on spatial analysis honing skills based mastery of problem solving and presentation mediums using industry standard platforms. Students apply knowledge of statistics and programming in one of the fastest growing areas of employment in a range of areas including business, public health, environmental, insurance, government, and many more.
Students in the Mathematics concentration deepen their knowledge of the mathematical underpinnings of data science through courses that include linear algebra, network science, discrete math and probability. The skills learned in this concentration will prepare students for a wide range of employment in data science or for graduate work in data science or statistics.
Students in the Data Science program work in state-of-the-art computer labs with access to the latest software, including Tableau, GIS software, Python, R, SQL, Java, Gephi and other major programming languages and platforms.
On-Campus Internships
An on-campus, paid internship program operated by Cigna’s Technology Early Career Development Program provides valuable applied experience in preparation for careers in the field.
Student Clubs
Several student clubs and organizations support the Data Science program, including the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) and the Computer Science, Math Club, and Programming Club.
Career Options
Students who pursue undergraduate degrees in Data Science can have rewarding and successful careers in a variety of positions, including:
Data Scientist
Geospatial Information Scientist
GIS Technologist
Data Engineer
Machine Learning Engineer
Data Analyst
Cybersecurity Analyst
Reliability Analyst
Insurance Analyst
Financial Analyst
Sports Analyst
Political Analyst
Marketing Analyst
Companies Hiring Data Scientists
RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies)
General Dynamics
Deloitte
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Pratt & Whitney
Cigna
Travelers
Google
Facebook
The Hartford
For more information contact
Marsha Davis Professor and Department Chair of Mathematical Sciences davisma@easternct.edu (860) 465-4592
Eastern Connecticut State University launched a new cybersecurity minor in the fall 2025 semester. Spurred by broad interest and increasing workforce demands, the 18-credit minor is available to students of all majors.
Eastern featured special guest Michelle Riordan-Nold, executive director of the Connecticut Data Collaborative (CTData), for University Hour on Feb. 12 in the Student Center Theatre. The event was organized with the help of Garrett Dancik, computer science professor and coordinator of the data science program.
“As an honors program student at Eastern, I completed an original undergraduate thesis. This experience allowed me to pursue my passion while gaining real-world experience within the mathematics and data science field. I firmly believe this program and the support from my professors ultimately led me to my dream job as a data science analyst for Nissan North America.”
Data Science
Jamison Welch ’24
“With data science, you can take all the information around us and process it to uncover structures and patterns that are not so obvious at first glance. Because of my Eastern education, I know how to work with massive data sets to extract all sorts of useful information… I know how to code in several languages and more importantly I’ve learned how to learn different languages.”
Data Science
Hunter Vetterkind ’23
Hunter is a data engineer at The Travelers. “Data science allows me to express my technical and communication skills in ways other disciplines do not allow. Data science is everywhere. It would not be a stretch to say that data science contributes to the lifeblood of any business/organization… Eastern’s data science program perfectly mixes data management, programming concepts, exploratory modeling and even a little bit of geographical information systems.”
Data Science
Juan Villegas ’23
Juan works at The Travelers, collaborating with tech leads to transform the company’s data presentation and collection methods. “Eastern’s well-rounded Data Science curriculum, encompassing Business Information Systems, Computer Science, and Mathematics/Statistics courses, equipped me with a diverse skill set. This education enabled me to effectively communicate with technical and non-technical individuals, and I learned how to adapt swiftly when facing challenges.”