Data Science Honors Program
Program Details
Data scientists are problem solvers who transform complex data into understandable information for businesses and organizations. As a student in the data science honors program, you’ll dive into the captivating world of analytics, computer science, mathematics and statistics while applying your knowledge to serve the community and address issues in society. Xavier's Data Science Honors Program includes intentional reflection on ethics and privacy in the use of data science skills and includes multiple opportunities for community-engaged learning.
The Honors Bachelor of Science in Data Science is a cohort-based program, so you’ll engage with your instructors and learning community while collectively working through the curriculum. Students graduate with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes. 98 percent of our students are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2021).
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Data Science Honors Program major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- CSCI 170 Computer Science 1*............ 3cr.
- MATH 170 Calculus I [Mathematical Perspectives]............ 4cr.
- MATH 222 Applied Linear Algebra*............ 3cr.
- First Year Seminar............ 3cr.
- ENGL 101 Composition............ 3cr.
- CORE 101 GOA............ 0cr.
- DSCI 101 Cohort Experience: Data Scientists in the Field............ 0cr.
Spring
- CSCI 180 Computer Science II............ 3cr.
- MATH 171 Calculus II............ 4cr.
- MATH 256 Introduction to Probability and Statistics............ 3cr.
- THEO 111 Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- PHIL 100 Ethics as Introduction to Philosophy............ 3cr.
- CORE 102 GOA............ 0cr.
- DSCI 102 Cohort Experience: Job shadow a Data Scientist............ 0cr.
Fall
- CSCI 220 Data Structures & Algorithms [QR]............ 3cr.
- MATH 311 Probability Theory............ 3cr.
- BAIS 362 Intro Analytics Programming............ 3cr.
- Language 1............ 3cr.
- THEO Perspectives............ 3cr.
- DSCI 201 Cohort Experience: Service Learning Trip and Community-Engaged Project............ 0cr.
Spring
- CSCI 335 Databases............ 3cr.
- MATH 312 Statistical Inference............ 3cr.
- BAIS 329 Data Mining............ 3cr.
- Language 2............ 3cr.
- PHIL Perspectives............ 3cr.
- DSCI 202 Cohort Experience: Community-Engaged Project............ 0cr.
Fall
- BAIS 365 Business Analytics............ 3cr.
- MATH 257 Data Modeling............ 3cr.
- CSCI 230 Socially Responsible Data Usage [E/RS Flag]............ 3cr.
- STEM Domain Area 1 [Scientific Perspectives]............ 4cr.
- ENGL 205 Literature and the Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- DSCI 301 Cohort Experience: Data Ethics in Society ............ 0cr.
Spring
- BAIS 389 Business Intelligence [Oral flag]............ 3cr.
- MATH 350 Advanced Data Analysis............ 3cr.
- CSCI 350 Advanced Algorithms............ 3cr.
- STEM Domain Area 2 [Natural Science Elective]............ 4cr.
- Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- DSCI 302 Cohort Experience: Career Exploration............ 0cr.
Fall
- DSCI 390 Senior Capstone I [writing flag]............ 3cr.
- CSCI 355 High Performance Computing............ 3cr.
- Diversity Flag............ 3cr.
- STEM Domain area 3............ 4cr.
- Social Science Elective............ 3cr.
- DSCI 401 Cohort Experience: Mentoring 1st year Data Science Students............ 0cr.
Spring
- DSCI 391 Senior Capstone II............ 3cr.
- DSCI 350 Computational Machine Learning............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- DSCI 402 Cohort Experience: Program Evaluation............ 0cr.
Sample Courses
Data Visulaization: BAIS 389- Students learn how data scientists use computers to collect and analyze complex information about an organization and its competitors for use in decision-making.
Socially Responsible Data Usage: CSCI 230- What are our legal and ethical responsibilities regarding the use and interaction with data? What is privacy and how has big data and the Internet impacted it? This course introduces students to the federal laws and authorities governing data privacy and information assurance. Topics include industry standards, compliance audits and application of ethical foundations to case studies.
High Performance Computing : CSCI 355 - This course is an exploration of concepts and tools to process large data sets efficiently. Topics include basic concepts of parallel and distributed computing, analysis for parallel algorithms, Amdahl's law and the design and implementation of parallel and distributed algorithms. Topics also cover data storage and distribution for use in distributed systems and the use of specific tools prevalent in high-performance computing for data science.
Applied Linear Algebra: MATH 222 - This course is an introduction to elementary linear algebra with an emphasis on application and interpretation. Topics include systems of linear equations and their solutions, matrix algebra, linear transformations, determinants, inverses, eigenvalues and eigenvectors and orthogonality. Course topics also include selected applications to physical and social sciences.
Computational Machine Learning: DSCI 350- This course is an exploration of machine learning from statistical and computational perspectives. Topics explore supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, emphasizing machine learning as a set of principled optimization algorithms. Course topics also include ensemble methods (e.g., boosting, bagging and model averaging), algorithmic analysis of models including issues of scalability and implementation, problems related to model expressivity, methods of evaluation and cross validation.
Student Clubs
The following clubs are popular choices for students in the data science honors program
Computer Science Club
From game nights to hackathons and coding classes, these technology enthusiasts love all things digital. Members meet to discuss the latest in computer science and connect with each other.
Business Analytics & Information Systems Club
The Business Analytics and Information Systems Club bridges the gap between classroom education and workplace experience, engaging the community in understanding and embracing systems and analytics, consistent with Jesuit ethics and values.
Career Outcomes
98% percent of Xavier students, including those in the data science honors program, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2021).
Career Opportunities: Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Computer Systems Analyst, Computer and Information Systems Manager, Market Research Analyst, Operations Research Analyst, Quantitative Analyst
Take the Next Step
Cincinnati: A City of Opportunity for Data Science Majors
Cincinnati, Ohio features some of the largest companies in the world, which means students in the data science major have countless opportunities for careers, internships and mentorships at places like Kroger, Procter & Gamble and Fifth Third Bancorp. The city is ranked the #1 Best City for College Graduates (smartasset.com) and the #15 Best Place to Start a Career (WalletHub).
What is Jesuit Education?
A Xavier education is more than your typical college experience. Drawing on a Jesuit Catholic educational model 400 years in the making, students in the data science honors program get the personal attention and support they need to succeed and change the world. The result is an education that’s as encouraging as it is challenging, and as enriching as it is demanding.
International Study Abroad Programs
You can learn a lot on campus, but not everything. There’s a world out there, and we’ll help you to explore it. Xavier offers study abroad opportunities of all types: short-term, long-term, direct exchanges and programs sponsored by other providers. You’ll see and do things that will change your life. And you’ll have a lot of fun, too.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Data Science Honors Program Major at Xavier University
The cohort-based Data Science Honors Bachelor of Science Program introduces the analytical and real-world needs of data science. It includes a heavy course load in computer science, mathematics, and statistics designed to introduce strong STEM students to the computational and analytical skills needed to build models and tools in data science; incorporates specific experiences using skills from those areas in applied projects that incorporate community-engaged learning; and includes intentional reflection on ethics and privacy in the use of these skills.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."