BW receives nearly $780,000 in new 'Choose Ohio First' STEM funding December 9
The State of Ohio awarded BW new Choose Ohio First funding — enabling the University to provide students with scholarships and learning opportunities.
School of Science and Engineering
Brent Strunk
440-826-5944, bstrunk@cnlawyer18.com
The data science major combines computing, mathematics and statistics that will equip students with the necessary technical skills to harness the power of data. Students in the data science program will develop a mature understanding of the computational, statistical and mathematical tools involved in constructing data-driven solutions. Students will gain experience applying their skills to external disciplines such as epidemiology, marketing, political science and more.
As the world continues to generate more information, there has never been a greater need for businesses and organizations to successfully collect, manage and interpret data. In turn, this means that there has never been a greater need for a well-rounded workforce that is equipped to carry out that work responsibly.
If you want to learn the tools of the modern workforce while having the freedom to explore your interests in other areas, the data science program might be the perfect fit.
Employers are looking for candidates with the knowledge and skills to address the unexpected problems that confront their organizations. Earning a bachelor of science in data science means you can pursue opportunities in almost any field. Below are a few examples of the roles you can pursue after graduation.
BW offers data analytics and data science majors, both of which feature many common courses and goals, but with some key differences between the two programs. Your professional goals and career path will help determine which program is the best fit for you.
The data science degree gives students more technical preparation in mathematics and computing, while the data analytics degree places a more targeted focus on applications of data to business contexts.
If you are unsure about which program you would like to pursue, the similarities in the two majors allow you to easily switch from one to the other, especially early on. Below you can see how the two fields overlap, as well as some distinct differences.
Courses required for the B.S. in data science but not for the B.A. in data analytics include:
The data science program features a core set of courses and outcomes designed to train all students in data literacy.
Meaningful data work cannot occur in a vacuum, which is why data science students will complete a sequence of courses outside of mathematics and computing designed to allow you to apply your skills to meaningful problems in fields such as epidemiology, marketing, political science and more.
As a data science student, you will complete a variety of projects, culminating with a capstone project to demonstrate your skills to employers. Most importantly, data science program graduates will understand the crucial role that lifelong learning will play in a field where tools and technologies can change rapidly.
Students completing a data science degree will be able to:
View the University catalog for a full list of courses.
In addition to the courses above, students will complete a sequence of courses in an external discipline designed to provide enough depth in a discipline to pose and answer a meaningful data-oriented question. Students are encouraged to use this to explore a passion in another area. You can choose from a wide range of disciplines at BW:
Moreover, students have the option to create a personalized sequence of courses in cooperation with a faculty member in an area of their choosing. View all areas of concentration.
We believe that students learn best through hands-on experience working with data and solving problems. Beginning with the first week of Introduction to Data Science and Analytics, you will write code to solve problems and build skills throughout the curriculum with the supportive mentorship of faculty members.
Much of the hands-on learning in data analytics courses will take the form of projects, which will be assembled into a portfolio that you can use to demonstrate your skills to potential employers. You will also be able to explore an interest in an external discipline by completing a senior capstone project in that area.
The capstone project has the potential to be a signature portfolio piece that presents your skills in writing code or building models, your ability to communicate and your scope of scholarly interest. Whether you want to study biology, communication or philosophy, you will be encouraged to explore your passions through the lens of data.
Most data science courses will take place in BW’s state-of-the-art Knowlton Center. This facility features classrooms equipped with modern technology, comfortable common-area seating and myriad spaces available for collaboration. You will also have access to the data visualization lab, which features large screens designed to foster teamwork and sharing of ideas.
The BW Choose Ohio First STEM Scholars Program is open to Ohio residents who are entering Baldwin Wallace in the fall as a first-year student or transfer student and are interested in data analytics. Students are eligible to apply to the program which also offers the Choose Ohio First scholarship, awarding substantial annual, renewable scholarships.
Brent Strunk
Chair, Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Department
Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., Purdue University
Laura Croyle
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Melissa Dennison
Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D., University of Illinois
Navneet Grant
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
DBA, Cleveland State University