Why Major in Data Sciences?
Learn to analyze, manage, and track big data and apply insights to address societal challenges across a variety of fields. Students in the Data Sciences major learn to manage and analyze large, complex, and diverse data sets to draw actionable insights and knowledge that informs decision making.
By leveraging modern tools in informatics, computer science, and statistics, students develop skills in data management, machine learning, information integration, and predictive modeling, and they learn to effectively communicate their findings to a broad range of stakeholders.
After completing common core courses, students will choose between two Data Sciences options:
- The Applied option will equip students to formulate and solve problems drawn from domains such as life and health sciences, business, behavioral and cognitive sciences, and physical sciences.
- Students in the Statistical Modeling option will learn to formulate and apply the proper models and methods for data analyses such as experiment design, sampling, hypotheses testing, and limiting false discovery.
Is Data Sciences the major for you?
Data Sciences majors are often fascinated by statistics, mathematics, the social sciences, and learning ways to combine these disciplines to develop a framework to understand and harness the power of big data.
Data Sciences majors enjoy the challenges of:
- Analyzing information to discover new insights.
- Applying data analytics to make strategic decisions.
- Understanding how data can be used to visualize phenomena and predict different outcomes.
Careers in Data Sciences
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs in the data sciences field will increase by at least 36% in the next 10 years. The median salary for data scientists is $108,000.
There is high demand for trained data scientists, and it will continue to grow as companies recognize the need for professionals who have developed high-level analytical, statistical, and communication skills.
Penn State Abington Data Sciences students are prepared to pursue diverse career paths in all aspects of the labor force in positions such as:
- Big Data Engineer
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Data Visualizer
- Data Warehousing Analytics Consultant
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Quantitative Analyst
- Statistical Analyst
- System Analyst
Related Programs
- Engineering Ahead @ Penn State Abington
- National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM Program
- STEM Inclusion and Innovation Program
