Data Analytics (BS)

The Data Analytics major is one of the first of its kind for a major research institution in the nation. Data analytics applies fundamental scientific principles to analyze large, complex data sets. This rapidly growing field needs practitioners with expertise that cuts across core disciplines of computer science, mathematics and statistics, and highly developed critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. It is a uniquely interdisciplinary major with academic partnerships rarely found in other majors. The major is co-directed by the Department of Statistics and the College of Engineering's Department of Computer Science and Engineering. 

Data analytics majors receive a BS from the Arts and Sciences, but specialize in specific areas through curricular partnerships with the College of Engineering, the College of Medicine, the College of Public Health, and the Fisher College of Business. Current specializations include Biomedical and Public Health Analytics, Business Analytics, Computational Analytics, Data Vizualization, and Social Science Analytics.

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Brooke O'Leary

oleary.158@osu.edu
127 Pomerene Hall

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VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Data analytics students share how they plan on applying thier education to their careers.

Female student with computer animation

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Through courses and a capstone experience, students investigate the principles of data representation and management, software design, statistical modeling and analysis, and the application of these concepts in areas such as business analytics, computational analytics and biomedical informatics.

Data Analytics Major Website More Data Analytics Courses

Career opportunities are growing in fields unimagined a few years ago, in fields such as: Clinical Research, Sports Analytics, Cyber Security, Market Research, Genomic Sequencing, Health Information Systems, Machine Intelligence, Search Engine Development, Financial Fund Management, Multimedia artists and animators, Pharmaceutical Research, Aviation Management, and Insurance and Risk Management.

courses you might take:

STAT 3303: Bayesian Analysis and Statistical Decision Making

Introduction to concepts and methods for making decisions in the presence of uncertainty. Topics include: formulation of decision problems and quantification of their components; learning about unknown features of a decision problem based on data via Bayesian analysis; characterizing and finding optimal decisions. Techniques and computational methods for practical implementation are presented.

CSE 5243: Introduction to Data Mining

Knowledge discovery, data mining, data preprocessing, data transformations; clustering, classification, frequent pattern mining, anomaly detection, graph and network analysis; applications.

STAT 3301: Statistical Modeling for Discovery I

Statistical models for data analysis and discovery in big-data settings, with primary focus on linear regression models. The challenges of building meaningful models from vast data are explored, and emphasis is placed on model building and the use of numerical and graphical diagnostics for assessing model fit. Interpretation and communication of the results of analyses is emphasized.

CSE 5544: Visualization

Principles and methods for visualizing data from measurements and calculations in physical and life sciences, and transactional and social disciplines; information visualization; scientific visualization.

Degree Outcomes

The outlook for our graduates is strong.

  • The McKinsey Global Institute describes data analytics as “the next frontier for innovation.”
     
  • The Harvey Nash and KPMG 2015 CIO Survey identified “Big Data/Analytics” as their number one needed skill.
     
  • Data Analytics professions are ranked favorably in terms of job environment, outlook, stress and compensation — mid-career professionals can expect to earn a solid six-figure income.

Data is Sexy

The sexy job in the next 10 years will be statisticians. People think I’m joking, but who would’ve guessed that computer engineers would’ve been the sexy job of the 1990s? -Hal Varian, chief economist at Google

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Business Analytics Industry Immersion

Through our partnership with the Fisher College of Business, all students specializing in Business Analytics will complete the Analytics Industry Immersion program. This program pairs students with industry leaders to solve real business problems.

Industry Clusters

Big Data and Analytics Association

Student group for Big Data.

Big Data

Internships in Biomedical Informatics

Through our partnership with the College of Medicine, students with an interest in Biomedical Informatics can complete a summer internship with a researcher through OSU's Wexner Medical Center.

Internships

ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?

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