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Data Science Major

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Why Study Data Science?

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.

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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.

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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.

    View Minor Details

    View Business Analytics Concentration, Data Science B.S. Details

  • 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.

    View Major Details

    View Minor Details

    View Computer Science Concentration, Data Science B.S. Details

  • 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.

    View Minor Details

    View Geographic Information Systems Concentration, Data Science B.S. Details

  • 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.

    View Major Details

    View Minor Details

    View Mathematics Details

Salary Potential

3.7k

Open CT jobs; January 2020

$100,910

median salary, data scientists

$69k

average starting salary

* ZipRecruiter

Hands-on Learning

Student working on computer

State-of-the-Art Facilities

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.

Student working internship

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 and professor sitting at table promoting AITP club

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

  • Raytheon Technologies (formerly United Technologies)
  • General Dynamics
  • Deloitte
  • Lockheed Martin Corporation
  • Pratt & Whitney
  • Cigna
  • Travelers
  • Google
  • Facebook
  • The Hartford
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For more information

davisma@easternct.edu
(860) 465-4592

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Alumni Testimonials

Sydney Calvert
Data Analyst

Sydney Calvert ’21

“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.”

Jamison Welch ’24
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.”

Hunter Vetterkind ’23
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.”

Juan Villegas ’23
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.”