Data science is an emerging discipline that lies at the intersection of computer science, mathematics, and statistics. With data being collected everywhere, including from smartphones, computers and televisions, there is a growing need to have qualified scientists who can identify and apply algorithms and statistical models to interpret big data. More than just analyzing information, data scientists utilize machine learning and software tools to process and manipulate data to help organizations visualize and find meaning in their data.

Data Science at UT Dallas

The BS in data science is an interdisciplinary degree that is jointly offered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science in the Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Its curriculum provides a solid foundation in the disciplines of computer science, mathematics and statistics, and includes a capstone project. Our program prepares students for data scientist or related positions in industry, business and government, and also for graduate study in any of the three disciplines.

Students must earn 120 hours to graduate: 42 hours from the University’s core curriculum, 65-67 hours in the major, plus 11-13 elective requirements where students can tailor their learning experience more closely to their interests. Visit catalog.utdallas.edu for the most current requirements and courses offered.

Careers in Data Science

Data science is rapidly growth sector of analytics and graduates seek positions in public and private industry where big data is needed to provide guidance and support to decision makers. In business sectors from finance, technology, healthcare and retail to manufacturing, data scientists are in high demand. Graduates may pursue job titles such as Data Scientist, Data Mining Engineer, Data Analyst, Decision Scientist, Machine Learning Scientist, Data Manager and Data Architect.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

About the School of Engineering and Computer Science

The Jonsson School is strategically located in the Telecom Corridor, home of the second-largest high-tech economy in the U.S. The School recently completed a major public-private initiative that greatly expanded its capabilities, including construction of a new state-of-the art 220,000-square-foot interdisciplinary research building, and recently opened a 200,000-square-foot engineering building. With more than 165 tenured/tenure-track faculty members, 7,400 students, and $53 million in research funding, the Jonsson School has six academic departments:

• Bioengineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Systems Engineering

The school also offers a minor in nanoscience and technology.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science: Biomedical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering

Master of Science: Biomedical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering, systems engineering and management*, telecommunications engineering

Doctor of Philosophy: Biomedical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering, systems engineering and management, telecommunications engineering

*Joint program between Jindal School of Management and Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

**Joint program between the Naveen Jindal School of Management and Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Research

Research efforts underway at the school involve such cutting-edge technology as:

• Medical imaging.
• Speech recognition.
• Materials characterization.
• Cochlear implant technology.
• Cybersecurity.
• Organic electronics.
• Physical, chemical and biosensors.
• Wireless networking.
• Carbon nanotubes.
• Micro-electromechanical systems.
• Semiconductor design.

Additional Facts

The Jonsson School’s rapid growth has helped propel its undergraduate programs into U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the nation’s top schools of engineering.

The school’s graduate programs have continued to rise through the national U.S. News rankings, now placing among the top 25 public university graduate programs and ranking third in Texas.

The Jonsson School has significantly increased the size of its faculty in recent years, hiring top recent graduates of Stanford University, Cornell University, Purdue University, Georgia Tech and UCLA, as well as seasoned professionals from Rutgers University, University of Southern California, University of California, Davis, Sandia National Laboratories, Freescale Semiconductor and Texas Instruments.

The Jonsson School features a variety of student organizations that are actively involved in both academic and social activities. Completely student-run, these include the Association for Computing Machinery, the Game Development Group, the National Society of Black Engineers, a chapter of the scientific research society Sigma Xi, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers.

The Fast-Track Program enables exceptionally gifted undergraduate students to include up to 15 hours of master’s level courses in their undergraduate degree plans. When Fast-Track students graduate with a bachelor’s degree, they are automatically admitted to graduate school at UT Dallas. The hours required to complete the master’s degree are reduced by up to 15 hours by the number of Fast-Track graduate hours completed.