Data Science
What this major studies in college, how to prepare in high school where a source says so, and careers open with a bachelor’s degree. Every fact below names its source.
Last checked:
What it is
Data sciences is a field that develops, applies and checks methods, systems and tools for drawing useful knowledge, sound conclusions and actionable insights from large, complex and varied data. [1]
Data sciences combine parts of computer science, informatics and statistics into data science methods, systems, tools and best practices used across a broad range of fields. [1]
Typical college courses
In data science, database management organizes data resources, statistics and machine learning convert data into knowledge, and distributed and parallel systems provide the computing infrastructure for data analysis. [2]
The data sciences B.S. requires, each with a grade of C or better, Data Management for Data Sciences, Ethical Issues in Data Science Practice, Matrices, Introduction to R, and Data Science Through Statistical Reasoning and Computation, among other courses. [1]
The rows below show one named program as an example: the Penn State bachelor of science in data sciences (courses all options share), 2026–2027 bulletin. Course descriptions are in our own words. Course names and numbers differ at every college; confirm each college’s own list.
| Course | Status | What it covers (example: Penn State bulletin) | Comes after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programming and Computation I and II (or Introduction to Programming Techniques and Intermediate Programming) | One of the choices in this example programThe B.S. also requires, with a grade of C or better, Introduction to Programming Techniques or Programming and Computation I, and Intermediate Programming or Programming and Computation II. [1] | Programming and Computation I (CMPSC 131) introduces the basic ideas and steps of solving problems with computation, and Programming and Computation II (CMPSC 132) adds object-oriented programming, data structures such as stacks, queues, trees, graphs and linked lists, and the design and analysis of efficient algorithms. [3] | MATH 110 or MATH 140 is taken before or at the same time as CMPSC 131, and CMPSC 132 comes after CMPSC 121 or CMPSC 131. [3] |
| Data Management for Data Sciences | Required in this example program[1] | Data Management for Data Sciences (DS 220) introduces data models for organizing, managing and using the kinds of data found in real-world applications, and compares database options with their strengths and limits. [4] | It comes after CMPSC 121 or CMPSC 131 with a C or better, with CMPSC 122 or CMPSC 132 before or at the same time. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: How data is represented · Spreadsheets and organizing data · Statistical questions and types of data | |||
| Introduction to R | Required in this example program[1] | Introduction to R (STAT 184) introduces R, an open-source programming language widely used in statistics and data science, along with the basics of data computing and a reproducible workflow. [5] | It comes after placement into MATH 21 or higher. [5] |
| Data Science Through Statistical Reasoning and Computation | Required in this example program[1] | Data Science Through Statistical Reasoning and Computation (STAT 380) uses case studies to answer data-heavy questions with computing and statistical reasoning, starting from the work of obtaining and cleaning messy real data. [5] | It comes after STAT 200 (or DS 200 or PLSC 309) and STAT 184. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Statistical questions and types of data · Least-squares regression · Sampling methods and bias · Evaluating reports based on data · Statistics project: from question to conclusion · Visualizing data | |||
| Matrices | Required in this example program[1] | Matrices (MATH 220) covers solving systems of linear equations, working with matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and systems of linear differential equations. [6] | It comes after MATH 110 or MATH 140. [6] |
Get ready with these topics: Matrices and matrix operations · Determinants, inverses and systems · Matrices as transformations · Solving systems by elimination · Systems of three equations | |||
| Ethical Issues in Data Science Practice | Required in this example program[1] | Ethical Issues in Data Science Practice (DS 435) explores the social and ethical sides of data science, since turning the world into data can do good but can also harm people and society. [4] | It comes after DS 220. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Privacy and data collection · Using AI responsibly · Evaluating information and misinformation · How artificial intelligence works | |||
Typical high school preparation
- High school students interested in becoming data scientists should take classes in subjects such as linear algebra, calculus, and probability and statistics. [7]
This is general advice from the cited source, not a rule for every college. Confirm each college’s own list.
Related majors
Each card opens that major’s page. Compare the courses before you choose, and confirm each college’s own list.
Statistics
Penn State's statistics major helps prepare students interested in mathematics, computation and the quantitative side of science for careers in industry and government as statistical analysts, or for graduate training in statistics. [8]
Computer Science
Computer science is the study of computation, including its principles and foundations, its efficient implementation, its analysis, and its practical use in many different application areas. [9]
Mathematics
Penn State's bachelor of arts and bachelor of science in mathematics share a common core of mathematics courses, and both prepare students for graduate work in mathematics. [10]
Where this degree can lead with a bachelor’s
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
Examples from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other careers may need more study after the bachelor’s degree.
Data scientists
Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data. [7]
The median annual wage for data scientists was $120,230 in May 2025. [7]
Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 35 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [7]
Data scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science or a related field to enter the occupation. [7]
Database administrators and architects
Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure data. [11]
The median annual wage for database administrators was $104,620 in May 2025. [11]
Overall employment of database administrators and architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. [11]
Database administrators and architects typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field. [11]
Questions people search
Chosen from our search-question research. Every answer is cited.
What can you do with a data science degree?
Data scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science or a related field to enter the occupation. [7]
Database administrators and architects typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field. [11]
What does a data scientist do?
Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data. [7]
Your next step
Find out where you stand in math and reading today with a free placement test, then fill the gaps one step at a time.
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Sources
- The Pennsylvania State University. Data Sciences, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/data-sciences-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- American Statistical Association (ASA). ASA Statement on The Role of Statistics in Data Science. https://www.amstat.org/asa/files/pdfs/POL-DataScienceStatement.pdf. August 8, 2015. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Computer Science (CMPSC) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/cmpsc/. current University Bulletins (the MATH and EDSGN course pages show the 2026–27 edition). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Data Sciences (DS) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/ds/. University Bulletins, 2026–27 edition. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Statistics (STAT) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/stat/. current University Bulletins (the BMB, BIOL and NUTR course pages show the 2026–27 edition). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Mathematics (MATH) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/math/. University Bulletins, 2026–27 edition. Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Statistics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/statistics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Computer Science, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/engineering/computer-science-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Mathematics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/mathematics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Database Administrators and Architects. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.