group of male students working in cyber lab

Data Science

Bachelor of Science

Uncover Insights. Drive Innovation.

Clean, manage, analyze, and interpret data. Be prepared for careers in a number of fields, skilled at determining actionable insights about the meaning of data for decision-makers in businesses, public agencies, and nonprofits.

The demand for data-driven decision-making has made data science one of the most sought-after fields in today’s job market.

Our Data Science degree integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications, ensuring students are well-versed in the latest tools and technologies in data science.

Graduates from our program can pursue jobs such as data analysts, business analysts, data engineers, machine learning engineers, and data scientists. Data science professionals are needed in various sectors, including technology, finance, healthcare, and government.

Growing Industry

31% increase in data scientist employment

projected growth by 2030

$108,020 median annual wage

for data scientists in May 2023

Required Courses

Databases
Machine Learning
Data Visualization
Big Data Analytics
Neural Networks
Special Topics, discussing the latest in the field

Minors

CIS 100: Introduction to Computer Science (3 credits)
CIS 200: Linear Data Structures (3 credits)
CIS 210: Non-Linear Data Structures (3 credits)
Choose at least two other CIS courses (except CIS 201)

CIS 100: Introduction to Computer Science (3 credits)
CIS 160: Introduction to Cyber Security (3 credits)
CIS 230: Operating Systems (3 credits)
CIS 260: Computer Communications & Networks (3 credits)
CIS 261: Information Security (3 credits)
CIS 360: Computer Systems Security (3 credits)

Core Courses:

CIS 100: Introduction to Computer Science (3 credits)
STAT 139: Statistics for Social Sciences (3 credits)
CIS 150: Introduction to Data Science (3 credits)
CIS 200: Linear Data Structures (3 credits)

Plus one of the following courses:

CIS 280: Data Visualization & Communication (3 credits)
CIS 350: Relational Database Systems (3 credits)
CIS 352: Big Data Analytics (3 credits)
CIS 371: Machine Learning (3 credits)

Program Offerings

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Hands-on Experience

Our curriculum integrates hands-on, applied experience and real-world projects across all of our courses, equipping our students with the skills to analyze complex datasets, derive insights, and drive strategic decision-making across various industries. With specialized tools and software, you will learn to think critically about the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of the field.
Career Opportunities

Nearly every industry publication and research firm—from IBM to Harvard Business Review—is reporting that demand for data scientists is far outstripping supply.

Data science skills, especially those related to machine learning and Big Data, are among the most challenging for businesses to recruit for, which makes comprehensive data science training at the undergraduate level remarkably valuable. For our majors, the business landscape offers tremendous opportunities for job stability, career mobility, and excellent learning potential.

Graduates of our program are in high demand, receiving offers from employers including Facebook, Erie Insurance, Amazon, UPMC, ConMed, and Abbott Labs.

High-Tech Facilities

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Cyber Education and Network Operations Center

The Federal Resources Corporation Cyber Education Center is an 8,000-square-foot state-of-the-art cyber training and mitigation facility, providing classroom and experiential learning spaces on the campus of Mercyhurst University.

The Cyber Security Lab features 20 individual terminals, each outfitted with high-end computing power and large monitors. The lab operates on an independent network with its own servers and firewalls, completely isolated from the campus network. In addition, the lab features virtual forensic workstations, mobile devices for exploitation tests, threat-analysis software packages, and other relevant platforms.

The Network Operations Center is staffed and operated by Federal Resources Corporation. In this space, this prestigious Erie-based firm will provide experiential learning opportunities for Mercyhurst students to conduct projects on behalf of real-world clients.
Computer Lab

Students can participate in the Innovation Entente Lab (IEL) to provide a competitive business intelligence approach in conducting key research and the collection of data necessary to help entrepreneurs and small businesses achieve an understanding of their market, industry, and competitive landscape. Students working within the IEL take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it to real-world experiences.

Innovation Entente Lab

CIRAT professor and students, sitting at a table

Explore the CIRAT

Our CIRAT program works to hone and professionalize the skills of students in Intelligence Studies and Computer Information Science programs. As a nonprofit arm of Mercyhurst University, CIRAT develops opportunities with business and government entities through contracts, grants, and academic partnerships. Students of all academic levels can participate in CIRAT to apply their skills in a variety of collaborative intelligence and data-driven projects. By participating in CIRAT, Mercyhurst students gain a competitive edge; upon graduation, they already have applicable, hands-on experience working with national security organizations, U.S. government agencies, private sector businesses, and more.

Resources