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Data Science and Analytics, B.S.

Data science and analytics uses state-of-the-art programming techniques and tools to develop analyses and statistical models that generate insights from large data sets.

Visit the program website for more information.

This program requires a secondary admission process.

Program Overview

The B.S. degree in Data Science and Analytics (DS&A) is an interdisciplinary program where you will learn to use data for identifying trends and patterns, solving problems, communicating results, and recommending optimal solutions. You will acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities about the discipline-specific scientific and theoretical concepts critical to data science and analytics.

Why Study Data Science and Analytics at Grand Valley?

  • Grand Valley's College of Computing and Department of Statistics has highly credentialed and well-connected faculty.
  • The curriculum is a combination of theoretical foundation, applied computing, and applied statistics, giving students a competitive edge in the job market.
  • The program offers a variety of electives and minors, so students can tailor their education to their interests.
  • Dedicated computer labs with state-of-the-art equipment ensure relevant, hands-on experience.
  • Students gain practical experience through extensive internship opportunities.
  • GVSU computing programs are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org.

Location & Format

Undergraduate students in this major study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.

Format:
  • Face To Face

Coursework

The DS&A program consists of core computer science and statistics classes, along with specialized applications.

Some of these classes include:

  • Programming
  • Statistical computing
  • Data mining
  • Multivariate data analysis
  • Capstone project
  • Information visualization
  • Data science
  • Data analytics
  • Applied statistics
  • Data engineering
  • Applied machine learning

Career Options

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts data science needs will create roughly 11.5 million job openings by 2026. The World Economic Forum indicates data scientists and analysts have become the number one emerging role in the world. The role of a data scientist has been named the number one job in the U.S. by Glassdoor.

In the lower peninsula of Michigan, northern Ohio, and Indiana, there are 27,884 unique postings with average salaries of $78.2K. Data science job postings in West Michigan have increased 38.9% since 2019.

Many GVSU undergraduate programs can be combined with an existing master’s degree program to save on tuition and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, you can save $8,500 by pursuing a combined degree and take up to four fewer courses than if earning the degrees separately.

Talk with an advisor about how you can build your combined degree from existing programs to further personalize your education and create your own niche area of expertise.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria to be considered. However, achievement of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the major.

  • overall GPA of 2.5 or above in all GVSU coursework
  • GPA of 2.5 or above in technical core (only one repeat per course allowed)
  • completion of each course in the technical core with a grade of “C” or above

See School of Computing for details.

For More Information

College of Computing

517b2b.com/computing
C-2-100 Mackinac Hall
(616) 331-2060

Admissions and Recruitment Office

517b2b.com/admissions