Data Science in Computing
Why Data Science?
The data science major in the School of Computing prepares students with skills and competency in data analysis and interpretation, algorithm design and implementation, and problem solving. The interdisciplinary program enables students to take advantage of career opportunities across diverse fields involving data-rich, data-driven systems and applications.
The Data Science major is also offered in the College of Arts & Sciences (through the Department of Mathematics) and in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (in the Department of Statistics).
- Artificial Intelligence
- Software Development
- Data Pipeline
- Statistical Modeling
- Mathematical Modeling
- Applied Data Science: Sociology, Natural Resources, or Journalism & Humanities
What You'll Learn
- You'll develop foundational expertise in the mathematical, statistical, and computational aspects of data science as well as its application.
- You'll add an additional major and at least one focus area in complementary subjects that will enrich your data science studies.
- You'll develop the professional and interpersonal skills necessary for success in the workforce.
Learning Outcomes
- Foundational knowledge and expertise in the analysis of large-scale data sources from the interdisciplinary perspectives of applied computer science, data modeling, mathematics, and statistics.
- Foundational knowledge and expertise in the application of computing, informatics, and modeling to solve multidisciplinary problems.
- Abilities and professional skills to solve multidisciplinary data science problems as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Career Connections
- Connect with industry professionals through frequent career events.
- Complete coursework designed to facilitate multidisciplinary practice and professional development.
- Discover your career pathway through mentorship from faculty or members of industry.
Brand new major starting in 2023
Interdisciplinary program
How You’ll Learn
Hands-On Learning Experiences
- Participate in our annual student-led CornHacks hackathon.
- Assist distinguished faculty in groundbreaking research.
- Complete our Senior Design capstone course, in which you’ll spend a full academic year developing a new product with a faculty or industry sponsor.
Transferable Career Skills
- Make predictions using mathematical, statistical, and scientific modeling methods.
- Apply mathematical and scientific skills to solve real-world problems.
- Use quantitative analysis techniques.
Social Connections
- Study and socialize with fellow majors in our Student Resource Center community hub.
- Join computing-focused student organizations to learn new skills and connect with students who share your interests.
- Live, study, and explore opportunities with other computing students by joining a Learning Community.
Making a Difference
- Volunteer to mentor younger computing students through robotics clubs, coding camps, or local STEM organizations.
- Join our student organization Initialize, a club dedicated to giving back to the community through computing.
- Promote diversity in technology through campus events and local initiatives.
Core Academics
- Learn to analyze large-scale data and its associated processes.
- Discover the practical applications of data science through interdisciplinary contexts and experiences.
- Prepare for your future career through professional development grounded in application-driven problem solving.
Research and Grad School Prep
- Become an undergraduate research assistant and conduct research alongside graduate students and faculty through our programs and labs.
- Connect with course instructors and receive guidance in exploring your research and career options.
- Attend our annual Grad Info Day event to explore our graduate programs and opportunities.
Program Features
- Undergraduate Research. Our students are invited and encouraged to participate in faculty-supervised research supported by grants and the university’s UCARE program.
- Prime Silicon Prairie Location. The university is within walking distance from dozens of local tech startups and thriving companies. Students don’t have to look far to land a great internship or a first job.
- Real-World Experience. Our program prepares students for their professional futures with course curriculum that emulates real industry work.
- Career Connections. We host a variety of career events throughout the school year designed to help students explore career opportunities, connect with hiring companies, and introduce themselves to potential employers.
Research and Academic Opportunities
Innovate in Senior Design
In our Senior Design course, students spend a full academic year working on a team to complete a real-world project for an industry or faculty sponsor.
Engage in Cutting-Edge Research
Many of our students join faculty in their research labs to gain research experience in a specific area of computing. Our NIMBUS Lab allows students to study and participate in drone development.
Learn by Connecting
Our Learning Assistant Program is dedicated to helping first-year computing majors succeed through partnerships with upper-level students, academic support, and improved learning experiences.
Student Organizations
The School of Computing is home to several highly engaged student organizations. These clubs provide a great opportunity to grow as a leader, gain experience, make meaningful connections, and have fun.
The School of Computing Advisory Board (cSAB)
This group is committed to helping the school improve by making student voices heard by faculty, staff, and leadership. This group organizes regular student events, such as the annual Involvement Fair and Student Advisory Panel, and leads initiatives to enhance student experiences.
Initialize is a group dedicated to using computing skills to give back to the local community. This club’s activities include teaching robotics concepts to Lincoln middle schoolers, mentoring Girl Scouts at coding camps, and building new software for local nonprofits.
The Operating Systems and Open-Source Group (OS2G) is a club for users of Linux and other free and open-source software (FOSS) to meet, socialize, and learn from one another.
The university's only club focused on learning to develop video games. This group aims to guide students in learning effective professional game development techniques.
Recent Student Placements
Internships
- Software Development Intern, Sandhills Global
- UX Design Intern, Microsoft
- Data Science Intern, Ameritas
- Software Engineering Intern, Lockheed Martin
- Application Development Intern, Buildertrend
Careers
- Mobile Software Engineer, Epic
- Software Engineer, Peloton
- Database Developer, Sandhills Global
- Software Engineer, Microsoft
- Application Developer, Mutual of Omaha
Graduate Schools
- Ph.D. Computer Science or MBA, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- M.S. Information Networking, Carnegie Mellon University
- M.S. Computer Science, University of Southern California
- M.S. Computer Science, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
4-Year Plan and Notable Courses
Explore our major requirements and the data science courses you'll be taking.
CSCE 155T: Computer Science I: Informatics Focus
Introduction to computers and problem-solving with computers. Topics include problem solving methods, software development principles, computer programming, and computing in society.
CSCE 311: Data Structures and Algorithms for Informatics
An introduction to algorithms and data structures for informatics. Foundational coverage of algorithms includes both problems and methods. Foundational coverage of data structures includes lists, tables, relational databases, regular expressions, trees, graphs, and multidimensional arrays. The topics will be studied in the context of informatics applications.
CSCE 320: Data Analysis
Practical experience on how to model data through existing techniques including object-oriented and relational models. These models can then be used at the center of systems to promote efficient and effective data processing and analysis.
CSCE 386: Practice and Professional Development: Design and Implementation
Data science topics include data-centric and model-driven approaches; information and knowledge structures, organization, and access; searching and mining; and visualization. Professional development involves instruction in career development, entrepreneurship, professional ethics, and professional communications.
CSCE 486: Computer Science Professional Development
Preparation for the Senior Design project. Professional practice through familiarity with current tools, resources, and technologies. Professional standards, practices and ethics, and the oral and written report styles used specifically in the field of computer science.
CSCE 487: Senior Design
A substantial computer science project requiring design, planning and scheduling, teamwork, written and oral communications, and the integration and application of technical and analytical aspects of computer science and software engineering.
Contact Us
Olivia Ingle
Recruitment Coordinator
(402) 472-5027
olivia.ingle@unl.edu