2023-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Data Science, B.S.


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The BS in Data Science degree is an interdisciplinary program offered by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.  The Data Science degree at Fontbonne combines theories and techniques from many fields including computer science, mathematics, probability, statistics, machine learning, data visualization and deep learning.

Baccalaureate Degree and Residency Requirements

All requirements for an undergraduate degree are listed under Academic Policies and Regulations in the undergraduate introductory section of this catalog. These requirements include a graduation requirement of at least one course in religion or theology.

General Education Requirements

The 42 credit hours of general education requirements are presented in the Academic Information section of this catalog. A course that meets a general education requirement may also meet a course requirement in the major or a course requirement in another discipline.

Accelerated Master’s Program

Students applying to an Accelerated Path Master’s Program must:

  • Be a currently enrolled Fontbonne University student
  • Have completed at least 60 credit hours (including CIS 200  , CIS 330  , MTH 120  and MTH 150   with a grade of B or higher in each of these four courses.)
  • Have at least one full semester an undergraduate remaining
  • Possess a minimum Fontbonne cumulative GPA of 3.25

Admission Requirements

Students applying for admission to a master’s program through the Accelerated Option submit an Accelerated Master’s Program Application, which must be approved by the graduate program director and/or department chair. Application can be made as early as the first semester of the junior year, but typically in the third semester prior to completion of the undergraduate degree and with at least one full semester remaining at the time of application. Students must have completed at least 12 credit hours in the undergraduate major by the time they are admitted into an Accelerated Path. Undergraduate students admitted to a master’s program through an Accelerated Path must maintain

  • a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and
  • a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all of their CIS courses.

Degree and Tuition Policies

Once admitted to a master’s program through the Accelerated Path, students may take up to a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework (as listed below the major requirements) and have those hours count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students will be charged at the undergraduate rate and retain eligibility for undergraduate scholarships. For each semester in which they take courses for both undergraduate and graduate credit, students must complete a “mixed credit” registration form that is approved by the advisor. Students taking courses for graduate credit must adhere to all relevant graduate policies.

Students admitted to an Accelerated Path Master’s Program must meet all graduate program admission requirements at the time they complete the baccalaureate degree and must meet all degree completion requirements of the graduate program. 

Learning Outcomes


The student outcomes for the BS in Data Science degree program are the following:

  • Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify problems.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  • Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  • Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  • Function effectively as a member or leaders or a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  • Apply data science concepts and models to manage and analyze big data sets, to support decision-making and to produce solutions to real-world problems.

Data Science Electives


Choose two of the following.

Subject Matter Cluster


In consultation with the department chair and faculty advisor, students will select 6-9 hours in a particular cluster.  These courses will give students required background in a subject matter field.  Subject matter clusters could be Bioinformatics, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Communications or Sports Management.

Social Work Cluster


Accelerated Master’s Approved Courses


Details regarding admission are provided above.  The following 3 courses (9 credit hours) can be counted for both undergraduate and graduate credit as part of the accelerated master’s program to the Data Science, M.S.

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