Data Science Degree (BS)
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Bachelor of Science

Data Science

Concentrations
 

 

Welcome to the Department of Data Science and Business Analytics at Florida Polytechnic University. Florida Poly provides leading-edge degree programs that prepare graduates to take on today’s fastest growing fields. Our mission is to serve students and industry through excellence in education, discovery, and application of engineering and applied sciences.

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Translate Data Into Action

The B.S. in Data Science combines applied mathematics, computer science, statistics, optimization, data mining, and machine learning to give you a broad and much desired skill set. You will gain hands-on experience with tools such as Excel, Python, R, SQL Databases, and Tableau, and be prepared for emerging careers in Data Science and future advanced study.

Program Highlights

From tracking patterns in drug discovery, or changes in ocean temperatures and deforestation, to understanding the habits of Netflix users and predicting stock market fluctuations, data scientists inform product design, government policy, and business strategy, turning data into actionable insights.
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Making Sense of Data

Data science draws from math, engineering, business, and computer science to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data. The B.S. in Data Science curriculum will teach you computational and analytic approaches to mastering complex data structures. 

 

Concentrations in Data Science

Advanced Topics Concentration
Advanced Topics

Students can design their own four-course concentration within the major based on their personal academic and professional pursuits. This unique combination of courses works in concert with other co- and extra-curricular activities, including research experiences, internships, and a wide variety of opportunities in our student organizations. Advanced Topics offers the student the flexibility in curriculum choices to grow with their changing interests as they look forward to graduation, graduate school, and their professional endeavors.

 

Interest Areas
Advanced Concepts in Built-In Self-TestNeural NetworksWafer-Scale
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Big Data Analytics

Students in Big Data Analytics learn to collect, manage, and optimize large-scale structured and unstructured data sets to facilitate information and decision-making. Students in Big Data Analytics develop a strong foundation in essential programming skills, quantitative analysis, and hardware and software solutions for facilitating effective use of big data.

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Interest Areas
Data Mining and Statistical AnalysisCloud and Distributed ComputingMarket-Related Data Analytics
Concentration.
Intelligent Mobility & Autonomous Systems
Intelligent Mobility & Autonomous Systems uses data and technology to connect people, places, and goods across all transportation modes. Growth in intelligent mobility will transform the way people travel, interact with their environment, and connect goods and services.
Interest Areas
Connected and Autonomous TransportNew Mobility ServicesOpen Data Platforms for Transport
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Quantitative Economics and Econometrics

Quantitative Economics and Econometrics focuses on quantitative analysis and rigorous modeling of economic phenomena. This includes analysis of individual and firm decisions when data is messy, incomplete, or otherwise imperfect, analysis of strategic situations, and analysis of market outcomes and trends. Training in Quantitative Economics and Econometrics hones critical reasoning skills and prepares students for analytical careers or for graduate or professional study. 

Interest Areas
Market Research AnalyticsEconomic ForecastingCommodities Analytics

 

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Program and Student Outcomes

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.

Data scientists develop mathematical models, computational methods, and tools for exploring, analyzing, and making predictions from data. They ask appropriate questions about data and interpret the predictions based on their expertise of the subject domain. The rigorous curriculum in data science program focuses on the fundamentals of applied mathematics, computer science, probability, statistics, optimization, and machine learning while incorporating real-world examples.

Upon completion of the Data Science degree, students will be able to:

  1. Apply current data science concepts, techniques, and practices to solve complex problems.
  2. Analyze a given data science problem and formulate a solution in terms of the datasets needed, the techniques required, or the technologies to be utilized.
  3. Effectively communicate insights, analysis, conclusions, or solutions to a diverse audience.

Careers in Data Science

The US Department of Labor anticipates that employment in the field of mathematical science occupations will grow 27.9% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations, resulting in about 50,400 new jobs.

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Big Real Data

The research group International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that last year, over 2 zettabytes of data was created. This number is projected to grow by twenty-fold by the year 2020 to 40 zettabytes or an equivalent of 5000GB for every man, woman and child on earth.
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Cloud Keeps Growing

The Global DataSphere describes three loci where data is created, captured, or replicated: traditional and cloud data centers, cell towers and branch offices, and endpoints (PCs, smart phones, and IoT devices). IDC predicts that the Global DataSphere will grow from 33 Zettabytes (ZB) in 2018 to 175 ZB by 2025, with 49 percent of the world’s stored data will reside in public cloud environments. 

 

Meet the Faculty

View the Data Science and Business Analytics department page for additional information.
Shahram Taj, Ph.D.
Department Chair
Ethan Bard
Adjunct Spring 2023
Kevin Calkins
Adjunct Spring 2023
James Dewey, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant
Brian Hornung, Ph.D.
Visiting Instructor
Jasser Jasser
Adjunct Spring 2023
Jikhan Jeong, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant
Ray Ready
Adjunct Spring 2023
Milad Talebzadehhosseini, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant
Mahta Zakaria
Adjunct Spring 2023
  

Data Science with an Impact

Data science and business analytics researchers are working to improve online community use by developing a smart way of recommending and creating connections between these different communities.
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We live in a world of big data. There are many data sources, but a lot of these data points or observations don’t necessarily have a label or are annotated. There is a need for an automated way to identify the correct label or the correct group to which a particular comment may belong.”
Dr. Rei Sanchez-Arias
Assistant Professor of Data science and Business Analytics
 

Program Requirements

Your future as a trusted professional and confident problem solver begins with some essential skills. Your General Education courses give you:

  • Critical Thinking Skills…so that you can both make and follow a reasoned argument and develop habits of organized thinking and rational analysis.
  • Communication Skills…so that you can translate thoughts into words (spoken and written) and make the complex simple.
  • Exposure to Arts/Humanities and Social/Behavioral Sciences … so that you see all problems in their larger human context.
  • Mathematical Reasoning…so that you find and follow the quantitative thread connecting all scientific inquiry.
  • Scientific Reasoning…so that you can apply the scientific method to phenomenon big and small.

Your B.S. in Data Science requires 120 credits — typically 15 credits across eight semesters. You will complete 12 general education credits (Arts/Humanities and Social Science).

Click here for your complete plan of study for the B.S. in Data Science.

Click here for your complete program description for the B.S. in Data Science.

Click here for your complete degree planner for the B.S. in Data Science. 

Ready to be a Phoenix? Learn about our admissions requirements. 

Make Your Passion a Career

We're here to give you the resources to land your dream internship, work alongside faculty in groundbreaking research, and to develop leadership skills to stand out in the workplace.  
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Internships are an important part of setting up you up for success after college and are a requirement for you to graduate. 
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Conduct research along side faculty that is improving lives and changing businesses, with impact ranging from local Lakeland community to the outer-reaches of space. 
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We understand the importance of feeling prepared, and we are committed to your success here and beyond. That's why we have resources to support you in your continued career development.

 

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. 
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Math Club

The Math Club at Florida Poly seeks to promote a healthy environment for students to embrace higher-level mathematics and develop an appreciation for mathematics in STEM-related careers.
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TEA @ Florida Poly

TEA is all about connecting students who are passionate about themed entertainment with industry professionals and providing opportunities for independent design projects and attend unique industry events and conferences.
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Programming Club

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Data Science in the News

 

Want to be a Phoenix? Get in touch with Admissions.