Minor in DS
Our Minor in Data Science equips students from any major with a solid understanding of the key conceptual and methodological dimensions of data-driven discovery and innovation, and provides them with the basic skills necessary to apply this knowledge in various settings by assembling data analysis pipelines and developing information products.
With this preparation, students who minor in Data Science will be ready to leverage competencies and skills they acquire through the program to pursue careers in which they contribute to the synthesis of knowledge in a variety of fields and professions through extraction of insights from data and through the actionable use of those insights in a wide range of application domains.
Students who wish to pursue additional professional degree programs either in data science or in a data-science-driven disciplines - such as public health or business analytics - will benefit from earning the Data Science Minor.
Regardless of academic programs, there is wealth of opportunities for both STEM and non-STEM majors!
Non-STEM Majors
-
From marketing to journalism, and from sociology to philosophy – a Data Science minor exposes you to foundational skills such as programming, inferential analytics, and data visualization.
STEM Majors
For those pursuing another STEM major, the minor allows students to gain deeper knowledge within a particular area of data science. For example, a Physics student minoring in Data Science would be highly competitive for jobs that require strong mathematical foundations as well as capacity for software or data engineering, applied machine learning, etc.
Requirements for the DS minor are intentionally flexible; however, it will be important for students pursuing the minor to think critically about a chosen pathway, being sure to recognize and prepare for any prerequisites in the advanced courses you are planning to take in the future.
Requirements for the Minor
Pre-Minor Computing Experience
To qualify for the minor, students must have taken at least one course covering basic computing and programming concepts such as those covered in DS 100, CS 111, or EK 125.
Credit Hour Requirements
- The minor requires completion of a total of 24 credits, with at least 16 credit hours earned through coursework (four 4-credit courses) covering foundational, methodological, or applied data science topics.
- At least 16 credits (four 4-credit hour courses) taken towards the minor MUST be offered through the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences covering at least two core data science subjects. This may also include cross-listed courses.
Course Requirements
Data Science Foundations
Unless covered by equivalent courses taken to satisfy the requirements of other programs of study, students must complete at least one course in each of the following foundational subjects of the major in Data Science:
- Computational Foundations: DS 110 (or equivalent)
- Mathematical Foundations: DS 120, DS 121, DS 122 (or equivalent)
Data Science Core
At least three courses covering two or more of the following core subjects of the major in Data Science:
-
- Programming: DS 210 (or equivalent)
- Data Mechanics: DS 310 (or equivalent)
- Statistics: MA 214 (or equivalent)
- Algorithms: DS 320 (or equivalent)
- Machine Learning: DS 340 (or equivalent)
- Ethical & Social Implications: DS 380 (or equivalent)
Data Science Electives and Practicums
Electives
Students may take any courses covering the subjects under with the Methodology or In-the-Field tracks from the Data Science Major.
Visit the 'Important Resources' section on the CDS advising page for available options.
Practicum Experience
At most 8 credits earned through...
- CDS practicum courses or workshops
- Pre-approved directed studies pursued under the supervision of a BU faculty member: DS 490
Important Details Regarding DS Minor Requirements
- Students may not use more than 8 credits (two courses) from another degree program to fulfill the requirements for the minor in data science.
- To reach the minimum requirement of 24 credit hours to earn the DS minor, at least 16 credit hours (four courses) must be taken from CDS.
- Students may use - with permission - previous coursework to place out of prerequisites for courses that count towards the minor in data science.
- If you have taken lower-level courses to fulfill major requirements you will be encouraged to take courses at a more advanced level.
- The maximum credit hours that may be earned through practicum workshops, directed studies, or supervised internships is 8 (two courses).
For further information about requirements and sample pathways for STEM and non-STEM students, check out:
Curious about the minor? Email cds-advising@bu.edu or schedule a meeting with a CDS academic advisor!