Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences
Recent News
15 Minutes with Yun Lee, QMSS GSI
Yun Lee is a Winter 2023 GSI for QMSS 301: Quantitative Social Science Analysis and Big Data
Recap of VIZ’D: A Data Visualization Competition
The Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences (QMSS) Department at the University of Michigan held VIZ’D–a data visualization competition for QMSS students to showcase their visualization skills using Excel and Tableau.
What is Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences?
Do credit card algorithms have gender bias? What can satellite images tell us about election results? Do “night owls” process information differently?
Big data offers exciting opportunities to explore these types of questions, but an understanding of social science is critical to translate numbers into actionable insights. Quantitative Methods in the Social Science (QMSS) combines data science with social science to prepare students to solve problems, shape policies, and explain a complex world. This new minor covers a variety of disciplines within the social sciences, pursuing different questions and applying a range of methods.
Interested undergraduate students are encouraged to pursue a QMSS minor regardless of math proficiency. While the courses are rigorous, faculty are prepared to meet you where you are. Training, tutoring, and resources are available to get you up to speed. Also, keep in mind that the quant work is only part of QMSS — our ultimate emphasis will be on the social science interpretation and understanding data as expressions of human behavior.
QMSS Now Accepts an Expanded List of Electives Outside of LSA!
The list of approved electives for QMSS has been updated to include an expanded list of courses from LSA, the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, the School of Information, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Public Health, and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy! See the updated list of approved electives here. Read more about the QMSS minor curriculum here.
We strive to support our students and faculty on the front lines of learning and research and to steward our planet, our community, our campus. To do this, the QMSS program needs your support.