Data Science at Carroll College

Data Science

Details

Our Data Science program blends the fields of mathematics, computer science, statistics, and business analytics to provide a unique and integrated learning experience. You will take courses that teach you to gather, wrangle, and visualize data; make predictions based off of past behaviors with machine learning; and deal with the massive data sets of today. As a data science major, your coursework will be a blend of computer science, mathematics and statistics, and data science.

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About the Program

In recent decades there has been an explosion in both the generation of and the analysis of data. Data science is a rapidly growing field where you will be asked to draw from skill sets ranging across many disciplines to analyze large and complicated data sets. Our Data Science degree gives students this exact background along with the applied and practical experience to get you ready for modern industry-scale data science problems. There isn’t any industry that Data Science hasn’t impacted in the past years, and Carroll’s liberal arts focus will give you a well-rounded and deep education that prepares you to jump in to your chosen industry.

At Carroll, our Data Science major focuses on blending the statistical, mathematical, and computational skills needed to succeed as a data scientist or analyst. Our small class sizes will guarantee that you have individualized attention and that your professors will be partners in your education. We are passionate about the work we do; we will get to know you as freshmen and will work with you to achieve your individual goals.

Featured Courses

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MA 321

Math in the Mountains

This course is an introduction to program design, fundamental data structures, and analysis of algorithms. 

BA 309

Operations Research

This course provides an introduction to quantitative modeling methods used in business and economics. 

CS 211

Data Structures and Algorithms

This course is an introduction to program design, fundamental data structures, and analysis of algorithms. 

Courses and Student Learning Objectives

Through a blend of math, computer science, data, philosophy, and physics courses, our data science students will be prepared to:

  • Use mathematics, statistics, data analysis, and computer science to solve and analyze real-world data science problems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to: create and use computer programs to solve real-world problems, apply data science tools in a variety of contexts, create models using appropriate statistical methods, and analyze statistical and computational models in applied settings.
  • Communicate their data science work in a clear and effective manner.
  • Demonstrate the ability to solve mathematical, statistical, data science, and computational problems using appropriate technology.

To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in data science, a student must earn a grade of “C-” or better in all required courses. A lesser grade in any of these courses must be replaced before the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in data science will be granted. In addition, lesser grades in any of these courses preclude taking subsequent courses for which the deficient courses are prerequisite.

Professional Educational Outcomes

The professional educational objectives of the Data Science program are to produce graduates who have:

  • The specialized knowledge and skills necessary for initiation into their chosen profession;
  • A broad range of skills necessary for effective communication;
  • An appreciation for the interrelationships among the branches of knowledge; and
  • The ethical, social, and aesthetic perspectives necessary for value-based judgment and decision making.

Program Highlights

During the first year pilot of our Data Science program, we already had three students placed into machine learning, data science, and forecasting internships.
According to glassdoor.com, data scientist was the #1 best job in America in 2018.
According to the 2017 Emerging Jobs Report compiled by LinkedIn, data scientist jobs have grown by more than 650 percent since 2012. A survey showed the average salary for a well-trained data scientist is $121,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

The need for data scientists is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow
by more than 25% over the next several years, and a Data Science degree from Carroll positions you well to take advantage of that growth in whichever industry you choose.

A degree in Data Science from Carroll serves as a preparation for some of the 
fastest growing jobs as defined by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics:

  • Business Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Statistician
  • Operations Research Analyst

The Data Science Bachelor’s degree can be completed in four years and we’ve
even laid out a schedule to help you with which classes you need to take and when: Data Science 4-Year Plan

The 2019-2020 direct billable charges at Carroll College are $46,316. These charges include tuition and fees, and room and board (housing/meals). This number may seem high to start, but after factoring in awards or scholarships you can quickly begin to knock this number down. When you apply for admission, you will find out your Merit Aid Level. Then you can fill out the FAFSA so we can determine what other forms of aid might be available—and you can apply for scholarships.

There are plenty of options for financial aid available to you, whether it’s scholarships and grants or federal and private loans. Take a look at which may be right for you on our Financial Aid page. The earlier you begin the financial aid application and submit everything needed, the better. Here are a few important deadlines for you to keep in mind:

  • October 1: Begin submitting 2023-2024 FAFSA
  • December 1: Priority deadline for need-based Carroll financial aid (FAFSA must be submitted for priority consideration)
  • January: 2023-2024 Financial Aid Offers available (new, accepted students with FAFSA results on file with the Financial Aid Office)
  • June 1: Begin acceptance and processing of applications for 2023-2024 private education loans (Parent PLUS or other private loan.)

This may seem like an intimidating part of the process, but that’s why we’re here to help. Our supportive financial aid advisors will help you navigate the process from start to finish. You can contact us with any questions you may have along the way at (406) 447-5425 or (800) 992-3648, Ext. 5425, as well as fao@carroll.edu(link sends e-mail).

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