Overview

Science and technology are the foundations of our future. The Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) is focused on the understanding of fundamental scientific principles and the application of these principles to solving complex problems, using computing technology.

Data Science is an interdisciplinary field of study about methods and systems to extract knowledge or insights from large quantities of data coming in various forms. The Bachelor of Science in Data Science is designed for students interested in developing expertise in data science.

Data Science students must select one of the following concentrations:

  • Computation and Modeling
  • Computational Analytics
  • Genomics and Bioinformatics

The Concentration in Computation and Modeling provides the tools necessary to create accurate, robust and detailed models of real systems in a scientific or professional field. A strong core of mathematics, physics, computational methods and techniques, and data analysis will enable students to model any complex physical system. Elective courses will allow students to specialize in a specific area of interest.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-DTSC-BS

Distinction in Major

To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:

  • have a minimum 3.50 major GPA and
  • have a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA.

Accelerated Programs

Accelerated programs provide a pathway for students to pursue both an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in a shorter amount of time. Below is a list of available accelerated programs for students in the BS in Data Science.

Undergraduate Contact Information

Department of Computer and Information Sciences
Jamie Payton, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450

Gene Kwatny, Vice Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450

Andrew Rosen, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 349
215-204-3193
andrew.rosen@temple.edu

Department of Physics
Bernd Surrow, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 406
215-204-7736

Adrienn Ruzsinszky, Vice Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 708
215-204-8479

Matthew Newby, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 476
215-204-2642
matthew.newby@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Data Science.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
    • All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      PHYS 2796Introduction to Modern Physics4
      CIS 4496Projects in Data Science3
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements
    • A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
      • A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
    • Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
      • SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (79-83 s.h.)
    At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 4 CIS courses must be completed at Temple.
    Introductory Science Requirements
    Select one of the following sets:8
    Elementary Classical Physics I
    and Elementary Classical Physics II
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
    and Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
    General Physics I
    and General Physics II
    Honors General Physics I
    and Honors General Physics II
    Calculus Requirements
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    MATH 1042Calculus II4
    or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II
    Math Methods in Computing Requirements
    CIS 1166Mathematical Concepts in Computing I4
    or CIS 1966 Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I
    CIS 2166Mathematical Concepts in Computing II4
    Probability and Statistics Requirements
    MATH 3031Probability Theory I3
    MATH 3032Mathematical Statistics3
    Programming Requirements
    CIS 1068Program Design and Abstraction4
    or CIS 1968 Honors Program Design and Abstraction
    CIS 2168Data Structures4
    Common Specialty Course Requirements
    CIS 3715Principles of Data Science4
    CIS 4496Projects in Data Science3
    Concentration Requirements
    CIS 3223Data Structures and Algorithms3
    MATH 2043Calculus III4
    or MATH 2943 Honors Calculus III
    Select one of the following:3-4
    Differential Equations with Linear Algebra
    Linear Algebra
    Linear Algebra with Computer Lab
    MATH 3043Numerical Analysis I4
    PHYS 2511Scientific Computing I1.5
    PHYS 3511Scientific Computing II1.5
    PHYS 2502Mathematical Physics4
    PHYS 2796Introduction to Modern Physics4
    Computation and Modeling Elective Requirements
    Select from the following list:9-12
    Probability, Statistics & Stochastic Methods
    Computer Graphics and Image Processing
    Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
    Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
    Analysis and Modeling of Social and Information Networks
    Analysis and Modeling of Social and Information Networks
    Foundations of Machine Learning
    Remote Sensing and GIS
    Mathematical Modeling and Simulation
    Numerical Analysis II
    Probability Theory II
    Partial Differential Equations
    Applied Mathematics
    Introduction to Numerical Analysis
    Classical Mechanics
    Analytical Mechanics
    Electricity and Magnetism
    Classical Electromagnetism
    Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I
    Thermal Physics
    Optics
    Introduction to Solid State Physics
    Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II
    Undergraduate Research (max of 3 credits across all independent study)
    Senior Individual Study (max of 3 credits across all independent study)
    Total Credit Hours79-83

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Data Science with Concentration in Computation and Modeling

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
CIS 1068
Program Design and Abstraction
or Honors Program Design and Abstraction
4
MATH 1041
Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
4
SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar 1
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CIS 1166
Mathematical Concepts in Computing I
or Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I
4
MATH 1042
Calculus II
or Honors Calculus II
4
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours14
Year 2
Fall
CIS 2166 Mathematical Concepts in Computing II 4
CIS 2168 Data Structures 4
MATH 2043
Calculus III
or Honors Calculus III
4
Select one of the following: 4
Elementary Classical Physics I  
Honors Elementary Classical Physics I  
General Physics I  
Honors General Physics I  
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CIS 3223 Data Structures and Algorithms 3
CIS 3715 Principles of Data Science (S) 4
Select one of the following; must be continuation of prior Physics course: 4
Elementary Classical Physics II  
Honors Elementary Classical Physics II  
General Physics II  
Honors General Physics II  
PHYS 2511 Scientific Computing I 1.5
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
 Credit Hours15.5
Year 3
Fall
MATH 3031 Probability Theory I 3
Select one of the following: 3-4
Differential Equations with Linear Algebra  
Linear Algebra  
Linear Algebra with Computer Lab (F)  
PHYS 3511 Scientific Computing II 1.5
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 2-0
 Credit Hours15.5
Spring
MATH 3032 Mathematical Statistics (S) 3
PHYS 2502 Mathematical Physics (S) 4
PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics [WI] (S) 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 1
 Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
MATH 3043 Numerical Analysis I (F) 4
Data Science: Computation & Modeling Elective 3-4
Data Science: Computation & Modeling Elective 3-4
Elective 3
Elective 3-1
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CIS 4496 Projects in Data Science [WI] 3
Data Science: Computation & Modeling Elective 3-4
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3-2
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours123
(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course