Program Overview
Bachelor of Science in Data Science
Overview
Data Science is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates tools and techniques from statistics, computer science, and business. The program focuses on real-world applications, providing students with hands-on experience analyzing large datasets and developing data solutions to solve problems in healthcare, transportation, finance, and other industries.
What is Data Science?
Data Science is an interdisciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data in various forms, both structured and unstructured. New computational and analytic approaches to a vast array of forms, scales, and sources of data are now critical to research, decision-making, and action.
Careers in Data Science
The B.S. in Data Science combines applied mathematics, computer science, statistics, optimization, data mining, and machine learning to give students a broad and much-desired skill set. Students gain hands-on experience with tools such as Excel, Python, R, SQL Databases, and Tableau, and are prepared for emerging careers in Data Science and future advanced study.
Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Data, the employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Salary Ranges
The median annual wage for data scientists was $112,590 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $63,650, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $194,410.
Curriculum
Core courses include data visualization, data mining, machine learning, statistics, and database systems. Students learn to clean, integrate, and analyze complex data to gain actionable insights and tell data-driven stories. Elective tracks allow students to specialize in fields like Big Data Analytics, Econometrics, or Autonomous Systems. In the final capstone course, students apply their skills to solve a real challenge for a company or nonprofit.
Why Florida Poly?
At Florida Poly, our small campus environment fosters a unique approach to STEM education. Through a curriculum that progresses from freshman to senior year, emphasizing project-based learning, individualized mentorship with faculty, required internships in high-tech industries, and culminating in a senior capstone design project, students are equipped with comprehensive skills and experiences, uniquely preparing them for success in the rapidly advancing tech landscape.
The Internship Experience
At Florida Poly, internships aren't just encouraged—they're a fundamental part of the educational experience. Mandatory for all students, these internships provide direct engagement with high-tech industry leaders. This immersive experience not only provides practical skills but also fosters crucial connections within the industry, frequently paving the way to future employment opportunities for our graduates.
Capstone Design
Florida Poly's capstone design course is the pinnacle of each student's academic journey, consolidating their four years of learning into a single project. During their senior year, students in this course collaborate with peers from various fields to tackle real-world challenges supported by industry sponsors. Through this interdisciplinary approach, students not only apply theoretical concepts but also gain practical experience, preparing them for successful careers in their respective fields.
Alumni Making an Impact
Armed with the knowledge and skills gained at Florida Poly, especially through internships and capstone projects, our alumni smoothly entered thriving careers in high-tech industries. These hands-on experiences offered invaluable insights and practical expertise, enabling our alumni to innovate and excel in dynamic, leading-edge settings, influencing the trajectory of technology.
Program Educational Objectives
The BS in Data Science Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) are:
- Provide effective solutions to complex problems, based on technical knowledge, methods, and practices of the dynamic data science field.
- Serve and work as effective and ethical data science professionals to contribute to their community and society.
- Assume positions of leadership in industry, academia, public service, and entrepreneurship.
Student Outcomes
Upon completion of the Data Science program, graduates will have the ability to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline.
- Formulate or design a system, process, procedure or program to meet desired needs.
- Develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty.
Meet the Faculty
- Shahram Taj, Chair & Professor Data Science & Business Analytics
- James Dewey, Associate Professor
- Debbie Frank, Assistant Professor
- Susan LeFrancois, Associate Professor
- Artem Malinin, Assistant Professor
- Bijun Wang, Assistant Professor
Get Involved Outside the Classroom
We have an active student organization community with more than 35 clubs that vary based on specific academic interests, professional development, and activities just for fun.
Events & Activities
Dive into the thrilling campus life at Florida Poly. From Florida PolyCon (a comic-con like event), Purple Fire Week, poolside grill-outs and movie nights, to an annual 5K Pie Run, an epic Humans vs. Zombies Nerf gun war, and so much more. At Florida Poly, there is something for everyone and the small campus vibe makes it easy to get involved.
University Teams
Join Florida Poly's University Teams for next-level competition and camaraderie! Whether you're into esports, soccer, weightlifting, robotics, or lacrosse, there's a team for you. Pursue excellence alongside like-minded teammates and take your skills to the next level. With a diverse range of options, there's something for everyone to enjoy while striving for victory!
Student Clubs & Organizations
At Florida Poly, campus engagement is key to fostering lifelong connections, teamwork, and leadership. With over 35 student-run clubs, there's ample opportunity to explore passions and forge friendships beyond lectures and labs. Joining clubs empowers students to pursue interests, develop skills, and create lasting memories with like-minded peers, enriching the college experience and shaping futures.
Campus Recreation
Florida Poly's exceptional recreation facilities offer students, faculty, and staff opportunities for physical activity, fostering healthy lifestyle habits. Featuring a fully equipped weight room, junior Olympic swimming pool, basketball courts, beach volleyball, soccer fields, and disc golf, there's something for everyone to stay active and energized.
