Online Bachelor of Science in Data Science

The data science degree is intended to produce ethical users of data. This degree gives you the skills necessary to work with data through coursework in mathematics, statistics and computing.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 06/29/2023


Total classes:

Total classes: 40

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 120

Degree questions, answered.

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What is a degree in data science?

Data science is an interdisciplinary area between statistics, mathematics and computer science. The bachelor’s degree in data science online prepares students to be critical analysts and users of data in a variety of areas such as business, research and government.

Arizona State University’s data science program focuses on the ethical production and use of data. Our program focuses on cutting-edge trends in data and provides you a strong mathematics background to understand the details of how the data works. You’ll learn from esteemed faculty who are performing their own research in the areas of probability and statistics.

This cross-disciplinary degree allows students to choose a track to focus 18 of their credit hours on. The courses in each track allow you to focus your degree on relating a specific field to data science. The five tracks include:

Behavioral science

The behavioral sciences track positions you for data science careers centered on human behaviors and attitudes, cognitive science, human development and medicine, as well as prepares you for graduate training in quantitative psychology, human development, education and biostatistics. In the behavioral science track, you'll learn about behavioral science research design, as well as foundational and advanced data analytic techniques. These will enable you to determine underlying causes of behavior, generate predictive models using supervised learning algorithms and cluster individuals using unsupervised learning techniques. In addition to gaining core data science skills, you'll obtain an in-depth understanding of human behavior.

Bioscience

The bioscience track teaches you how to apply computational skills to life sciences research. In the life sciences, employers need professionals who can understand and interpret data. In even higher demand are people who also have experience using new, computational approaches and computer programs to process data. As a student in the biosciences track, you’ll learn a variety of computational approaches to analyze, visualize and interpret life sciences data. This enables you to delve into the ethical implications of collecting, analyzing and sharing the results of computational life sciences data.

Business analytics

In the business analytics track, you’ll learn how to be an effective data scientist within a business environment. You’ll be capable of answering questions related to business concerns such as forecasting, customer classification, demand prediction, yield management and pricing optimization. These questions drive strategy and define success for enterprises and industries alike. The demand for business-savvy data scientists is growing exponentially, along with their earning potential. In the business analytics track, you’ll discover the intersection of business and data science within a top-ranked program.

Social science

The social science track provides you with the knowledge and skills to understand and analyze how macro-scale patterns of organization and social structures emerge from individual behavior and decentralized decision-making. As a student in the social science track, you’ll develop competencies in recognizing signatures of complex adaptive systems in which macro-scale patterns emerge from micro-scale interactions in social science applications, such as the spatial patterning of human settlements and the emergence of cities, the evolution of culture and the dynamics of social networks.

Spatial science

Everything happens somewhere. The spatial science track will offer you a unique angle for analyzing the world with geospatial big data that’s being generated in real-time today. Types of geospatial data might include streaming data from the IoT (Internet of Things) related to smart cities, satellite remote sensing imagery depicting the Earth’s changing environment, business transaction records or GPS (Global Positioning System) tracks of vehicles in a supply chain. This track will broaden and deepen your horizon in data analytics and data science and empower you to become very competitive in the future job market.

What data science skills will I learn?

 

You’ll develop a strong background in data-related skills that are beneficial to solving practical issues in a variety of fields. You’ll learn how modern science and technology use sophisticated mathematical, statistical and computational tools to extract patterns from large, complex and often unordered data sets. Students in the program will become proficient in machine learning and data mining; invaluable technologies with applications as diverse as detecting fraudulent online credit card transactions, understanding the dynamic of social movements and personalizing medical treatments based on a tumor’s unique genetic profile.

The program has a mathematical core consisting of linear algebra, statistical inference and classification, data mining, machine learning and associated computer methods. Additionally, you’ll expand your teamwork, critical thinking, programming, research and coding skills.

Is a data science degree worth it?

 

It’s estimated there’s a shortage of more than 100,000 data analysts in America. This creates a high demand for individuals who can think critically and provide use analysis of the world around them through large data sets. Earning a data science degree and becoming a proficient user and producer of data will assist you being an ideal candidate to fill these in-demand, high-earning roles. You’ll graduate prepared for a career that inspires global change through data science.

Will my data science degree say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Online data science courses

The program’s teachings focus on computation and data analytics, and this is reflected in two of the featured courses.


CSE 110: Principles of Programming (CS)


CSE 205: Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures (CS)


DAT 250: Data Science and Society


DAT 300: Mathematical Tools for Data Science


DAT 301: Exploring Data in R and Python


DAT 401: Statistical Modeling and Inference for Data Science


DAT 402: Machine Learning for Data Science


What jobs can I get with a data science online degree?

This bachelor’s degree in data science online prepares you for high-demand positions such as data analyst, data scientist and quantitative analyst.

Bioinformatics Scientist


Growth: 2.2 %
Salary: $85,290

Bioinformatics Technician


Growth: %
Salary:

Business Intelligence Analyst


Growth: %
Salary:

Clinical Data Manager


Growth: %
Salary:

Data Scientist


Growth: %
Salary:

Financial Quantitative Analyst


Growth: %
Salary:

Scientist/Biochemist


Growth: 4.0 %
Salary: $94,270

Software Developer


Growth: %
Salary:

Statistician


Growth: 34.6 %
Salary: $92,270

Learn from experienced data researchers and scientists

From Foundation and President's Professors to Fulbright and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.

  • American Association of the Advancement of Science Fellows.
  • Association for Women in Mathematics Fellows.
  • Foundation Professors.
  • Fulbright American Scholars.
  • Goldwater Scholars.
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Fellows.
  • President's Professors.

Learn from experienced data researchers and scientists

From Foundation and President's Professors to Fulbright and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.

  • American Association of the Advancement of Science Fellows.
  • Association for Women in Mathematics Fellows.
  • Foundation Professors.
  • Fulbright American Scholars.
  • Goldwater Scholars.
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Fellows.
  • President's Professors.

Admission requirements

I am a future

You are considered a first-year student for application purposes if you have not attended college at all, or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours (with a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA).

1. Review competency requirements

2. Review other admission requirements

3. Complete online application

4. File your FAFSA

5. Request ACT or SAT scores

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain admission to ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if the Earned Admission Pathway is right for you.

Don't meet admission requirements?

You can still gain admission to ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if the Earned Admission Pathway is right for you.

Join a school reputed for data analysis and mathematics

In the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, our faculty and scholars adapt to new challenges and make impactful research contributions while educating the global citizens and leaders of tomorrow. Students hail from around the world and from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity in experience and perspectives leads to impactful conversations and research. Of 890+ students, 33% are female, 26% are Pell Grant eligible and 22% are the first in their families to attend a university.

20,800+


students taking courses.

$16 million


in research expenditures.

114


faculty members.

55


tenure and tenure-track faculty.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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