Objectives
Data science is the study of data-driven decision making. It has emerged as a unique discipline out of a history that draws from a wide variety of fields. Statistics and computer science are both domains which develop and implement methods for data analysis and data communication. Many fields, including, for example, biology, sociology, or marketing, then leverage these methods to answer domain-specific questions. Recent decades have seen a ballooning of both the breadth of areas in which data is collected, and the magnitude of that data. As our access to data continues to grow, there has been an increasing need for people whose primary expertise is in the process of extracting knowledge from data. Data science has emerged as a unique discipline that combines the developmental aspects of statistics and computer science with the contextual framework, application, and real-world problem solving seen in a variety of fields, to create a complete methodology for data-driven decision making, from conceptualizing a question, to data collection, cleaning, and storage, to analysis, and finally to communication.
The Certificate in Data Science consists of a core curriculum based in applications and theory from statistics and computer science. These foundational courses present topics within the larger context of data science methodology to ensure that students develop the necessary skills to apply their knowledge.
Upon completion of this degree, successful students will be able to
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Apply appropriate analytical and computational methods to solve real-world problems effectively, with an understanding of the moral and ethical context of these problems.
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Communicate technical information effectively to a specific audience.
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Exhibit constructive and inclusive collaboration and teamwork skills.
Admission Requirements
Before starting the program, students should have proficiency with the following topics:
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Elementary Probability and Statistics (such as MATH 2310)
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Programming course in Python (such as CPSC 1220)
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Integral Calculus (such as MATH 1335)
Students seeking admission to this graduate program should contact the Mathematics Department at (206) 296-5930 or Seattle University Graduate Admissions at (206) 220-8010.
See Graduate Admissions Programs for admission materials.