Data Science Minor
Data Science students study a blend of math, statistics, and computer science to gain robust analytical skills
Courses
Five core areas and two upper division electives
Faculty
Meet our Data Science professors
5C Resources
Clubs, websites, and resources for students interested in DS, CS, and other technical fields
Careers
Data Science can be applied to any career. Here are a few example paths.
FAQs
The most frequently asked questions from Data Science students
Data science is a multidisciplinary field that utilizes scientific methods, algorithms, and systems to extract insight from structured and unstructured data. Data scientists analyze datasets to uncover patterns, trends, and correlations, ultimately informing decision-making processes across domains such as government, healthcare, and finance.
The Data Science Minor at Scripps College is designed to support students in existing Majors who have interests in developing computational capability, data skills, inferential reasoning from large repositories of data, and ethical reasoning in assessing data science technologies. Data Science students will complete coursework in math, coding (Python), statistics, ethics, and upper division electives of their choice.
5 Core Areas
Developing data science skills has been essential to my research in genomics where sophisticated statistical tools and programming skills are required for handling extremely large datasets. This foundation empowers me to pursue meaningful, data-driven conservation solutions for endangered species, as I step into the next phase of my career pursuing my PhD in conservation genomics.
- Margaret Mattson '24
Studying data science has prompted me to be constantly curious and active in asking why systems exist, and how they impact individuals and groups. This is applicable to my diverse interests in education accessibility, media entertainment, and computer science. Being able to cite my work using computational and statistical tools has been an invaluable edge in industries that blend quantitative skillsets and creative thinking.
- Jay Renaker '25
Now that I’m working at a software company in a non-technical role, my data science background helps me collaborate with people in technical roles effectively because we can speak the same language. Due to the skills and passion that the data science minor cultivated, I joined my company’s Machine Learning Ethics Committee. My understanding of Machine Learning, gained through my DS classes, enables me to analyze an algorithm’s ethical implications.
- Larkin Barnard-Bahn '24