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Data Science

Overview
Data Science is the scientific study of how to extract useful knowledge from large quantities of data. The job of data scientists is crucial in today's world of many, highly-connected devices that generate incredible amounts of data. By leveraging the knowledge this data provides, data scientists can help to make new scientific discoveries, increase efficiencies in industries, and solve many problems in our society. The work of data scientists involves gathering and aggregating data from various sources, transforming it into a useful form, building models that predict and explain, and communicate the results to decision makers. This work is typically done in conjunction with domain experts from a specific area. A good data scientist is someone who can easily adapt the analysis techniques to different domains by trying to understand the target domain. This means data scientists have to work in teams and spend much time communicating with experts and decision makers. Some typical data scientist tasks include:
  • Gathering and aggregating data from various sources, such as databases, websites and embedded devices. Data comes in various forms, such as text, images or videos.
  • Exploring data through visualization and statistical analysis to identify potential knowledge that can be gained and problems involved in extracting this knowledge.
  • Building models that help to make predictions or explain the data.
  • Using large-scale computing infrastructure to process Big Data.
  • Developing software that can be used to deploy learned models in applications
  • Creating visualizations, websites, and reports that can communicate the knowledge gained from data
The data science programs in the Department of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences will prepare students for performing these tasks and pursuing data scientist careers. Due to the broad societal needs for analysis of data, students with degrees in this field can apply their skills and knowledge to many areas, such as business, medicine, cybersecurity, transportation, criminal justice, and many others.
 
Programs Offered
The Department of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduates several opportunities for studying Data Science:
  • The majority of students pursue a Bachelor of Science in Data Science. This program provides students with a data science education that is supported by an extensive background in mathematics and computer science. Students with this degree will be well prepared to apply data science to a variety of fields and to pursue graduate coursework in the field.
  • Students who prefer to pursue a slightly less rigorous program in Data Science may pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Data Science instead. This is a good choice for students who would like to focus on a specific application area for data science. It has a lower credit hour requirement that can allow a student to take many courses outside of the major or even double-major in another field of study.
  • Students interested in earning a Master of Science degree in Data Science may enter a 4+1 Program earning a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and leading to a Master of Science degree in Data Science. Both B.S. and M.S. degrees can be completed in just five years.
  • Students majoring in other disciplines who are interested in interpreting and visualizing large data sources may earn a minor in Data Science.
In addition to a very interesting set of curriculum options, students also have excellent opportunities to obtain valuable work experience while attending Lewis University. Lewis provides numerous work-study jobs for its undergraduates, in which students can gain hands-on experience maintaining computer systems and assisting other students. Local businesses frequently contact the department concerning both part-time and full-time employment opportunities. Many students from the Department of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences work at the Argonne National Laboratory as part of a cooperative education program.
 
Recommendations for Other Students
As data scientists play important roles in virtually every other field, students who major in Data Science are encouraged to minor, double-major, or otherwise pursue coursework in other areas that interest them. For example, courses in Biology may help data scientists understand the problems in processing genomic data. Courses in political science may help to prepare the student to develop models for predicting elections or identifying classes of voters. Marketing courses may allow the student to help leverage transactional data for increasing marketing effectiveness for companies. A student who took courses in Finance will be better prepared to build software that can predict the stock market. Criminal Justice courses can aid in discovering predictive rules for identifying criminal hotspots in cities. These are just some among the many potential options for data science students that allow them to apply their knowledge to particular disciplines. A student's academic advisor will help in making the appropriate course decisions.
 
Transfer Students
Most transfer students who enroll at Lewis starting their junior year complete the major in two years. It is important, however, that students carefully evaluate which of their prior coursework will transfer by examining course descriptions instead of course titles, as the meaning of course titles do vary across different institutions.