Data science is an interdisciplinary field combining ideas from computer science, mathematics and statistics in order to collect and interpret data. The Data Science minor introduces the core concepts and techniques of data science while providing some training in each of the component areas. The program is set up so that students pursuing a major in computer science, mathematics or statistics are excused from corresponding parts of the technical training and instead study applications of data science. By contrast, students pursuing other majors will focus on technical skills in their minor, with the expectation that they will see relevant applications of data analysis within their own major.
Students with a Data Science minor may not declare a Data Science major. All other majors can minor in Data Science, subject to a double-counting rule: at most one course counting toward the 15 credits of the Data Science minor can be used as credit for a completed major or as a prerequisite for that major. Courses used for a major (or its prerequisites) can satisfy a core requirement for the minor, even if they are not used for credit toward the Data Science minor, and in that case additional electives can be taken to make up to 15 credits.
At least 12 of the 15 credits must be taken at the University of Michigan. Transfer credit will be considered for up to one course.
A Data Science minor who is not a major in Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics takes 15 credits of core courses and so is not required to take any application electives. Such students are expected to see relevant data analysis applications within their own major field of study.
