Applied Data Analysis Major

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Data Analysis provides you with the technical education required to analyze the important social questions impacting our world today.

Majors take 36 credits of coursework, where they learn core skills and how to apply those skills to a domain area of their choice. They also gain hands-on experience with a capstone project.

Program Overview

Applied data analysis majors are trained in basic data analysis and management. Students learn how to use data ethically, as well as the importance and effectiveness of visualization in communicating results. They also dive deep into an area of interest that forms the basis of their culminating capstone project.

The major prepares students for a variety of careers in areas like politics, survey research, public policy, and the environment. Graduates of the program will be able to:

  • Formulate good questions and determine the types of data appropriate to answer those questions.
  • Collect, retrieve, manipulate, store, analyze, and report on information in an ethical manner.
  • Conduct work that is reproducible.
  • Make appropriate inferences from data analysis.

Major Requirements

Students receiving a B.A. in Applied Data Analysis are required to take 36 credits, with one or more courses in four core areas, a nine-credit domain concentration sequence, an introduction to data science course, and a capstone course of at least three credits. Students meet the Writing in the Major requirement in a domain-specific W course or a capstone W course. Majors must maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA.

The four core areas provide you with the foundation necessary to work as a data scientist in any field or professional area. They include:

  • Computer programming and data management.
  • Basic data analysis.
  • Data visualization.
  • Data ethics.

A domain sequence is a sequence of courses designed to help you apply core data science skills to a professional area that interests you most. The applied data analysis major domain sequences include:

  • American Political Representation.
  • Earth Data Science.
  • Population Dynamics.
  • Public Management and Policy.
  • Survey Research Methods.

 

Download the Applied Data Analysis Plan of Study.

Applying to the Major

Students interested in the BA in Applied Data Analysis must apply for admission to the program. Applicants must meet the prerequisite course requirements below.

Spring 2025 Deadline: Friday, Sept. 20, 2024

Fall 2025 Deadline: Friday, Feb. 14, 2025

The application for the major is open year-round. We will notify students of their acceptance to the major prior to course registration.

Courses

Prerequisite Course Requirements

In order to apply to the BA in Applied Data Analysis, students must have:

  • A GPA of 3.2 or higher in the following classes: MATH 1132Q, STAT 1000Q/1100Q, and an introductory programming course (CSE 1010, 1729, STAT 2255, or COGS 2500Q).
  • Completed at least 24 credits, 15 of which must be at UConn, with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Students not yet eligible to apply may declare a pre-applied data analysis major. Pre-majors must formally apply to the BA in Applied Data Analysis when they are eligible. They will be assigned an advisor in the meantime who will help them navigate course selections to work toward the applied data analysis major.

Major Course Requirements

Students admitted to the applied data analysis major are required to take a total of 36 credits consisting of:

  • One or more courses in each of the Core Area Requirements (full list below).
  • A domain sequence that includes a capstone course and a W course (full list below).
  • STAT 3255. Introduction to Data Science.
  • DSDA 4815 or ERTH 4150 (capstone).
  • Additional credits taken from any of the approved domain sequences below or from the following list: GEOG 2500, GEOG 3500Q, STAT 2215Q, STAT 3025Q, STAT3515Q, STAT 3375Q.

Core Area Requirements

  • Programming and Data Management: STAT 2255 or COGS 2500 (one course, 3 credits).
  • Basic Data Analysis: STAT 3215Q (one course, 3 credits).
  • Data Ethics: PHIL 3202 (one course, 3 credits).
  • Data Visualization: STAT 3675Q or GEOG 3510 (one course, at least 3 credits).

Domain Sequences and Requirements

Students must select one of the following domain areas and complete all requirements. After completing the skill and domain area training, students will conduct a final research project which applies all the core data science skills to a practical problem in or related to their domain area.

American Political Representation

  • Domain: select three courses from POLS 2607, POLS 3612, POLS 3617, POLS 3618, POLS 3625.
  • Capstone: DSDA 4815.
  • W course: POLS 3608W.

Earth Data Science

  • Domain: select three courses from ERTH 2800, ERTH 3020, ERTH 3710, ERTH 4230, ERTH 4810.
  • Capstone: ERTH 4150.
  • W course: ERTH 2050W.

Population Dynamics

  • Domain: select three courses from SOCI 2110(W), SOCI 2651(W), SOCI 2660(W), SOCI 2820(W), SOCI 2901(W), SOCI 3971(W).
  • Capstone: DSDA 4815.
  • W course: one of the W versions in the domain list.

Public Management and Policy

  • Domain: select three courses from PP 3032, PP 3033, PP 3098, PP 4031, PP 4034.
  • Capstone: DSDA 4815.
  • W course: PP 3020W.

Survey Research Methods

  • Domain: PP 2100, PP 3030, PP 3098.
  • Capstone: DSDA 4815.
  • W course: PP 3020W.

Additional Degree Options

Double Majors, Dual Degrees, and Minors

Students can enrich their college experience by adding a double major, a dual degree, and/or a minor.

Applied data analysis majors who wish to add another major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), a major outside of CLAS, or a minor should consult with the staff advisor about which option might work best based on their career goals, interests, and graduation timeline.

Students interested in adding applied data analysis as a double major can meet with the staff advisor to discuss the major, requirements, and timeline for graduation.

Honors Program

Highly motivated students seeking a more intensive workload have the option of enrolling in the UConn Honors Program, which involves completing challenging coursework and an honors thesis.

Academic Advising

Applied data analysis majors work with both a staff advisor and faculty advisors throughout their undergraduate careers. The staff advisor can help you with selecting classes, registration, general education requirements, and more. Your faculty advisor can help you explore opportunities such as internships, research, and applying to graduate school. Get in touch with the staff advisor for applied data analysis.

Ready to Declare Your Major?

Students must apply for admission to the BA in Applied Data Analysis program.

Current and prospective UConn students can indicate their intention to become a major by declaring as a pre-applied data analysis major. Pre-majors must formally apply to the BA in Applied Data Analysis program when they are eligible.

All eligible students may apply to the major. UConn students do not need to be pre-majors to apply. All applicants will be considered equally during application review.

Apply to the Major

Contact Us

For questions about the BA in Applied Data Analysis, please contact the undergraduate program director:

Lyle Scruggs

Professor of Political Science
lyle.scruggs@uconn.edu