Earn your online bachelor’s in data science from ODU and learn to transform data into insights that drive real-world impact.
Every time you stream a movie, check your fitness tracker or shop online, data is working in the background. Companies and organizations collect vast amounts of information every day, but without people who can analyze it, that information has little value. That is where data science comes in.
What Is Data Science?
Data science is the study of how to take raw information and turn it into knowledge that people can use to make decisions. It blends computer programming, statistics and mathematics with problem solving and communication. While computer science focuses on designing computing systems, data science applies those systems to answer questions like:
- What trends are hidden in this information?
- What can we predict based on past behavior?
- How can we present the results so leaders can act on them?
This makes data science one of the most versatile and practical fields in today’s digital economy. It is also broader than statistics, since data science incorporates not only numbers but also images, text and other forms of information.
“Data drives the operation of every modern organization, whether it’s a corporation, a city or the military,” said Frank Liu, professor and director of ODU’s School of Data Science. Everything is surrounded by data being moved, stored and used.”
How Data Science Impacts the World
The impact of data is massive. A smartphone can generate up to 2 to 3 gigabytes of data per day, while a hospital can produce more than 130 terabytes daily through CT scans, MRIs and patient records. Data science transforms this flood of information into knowledge that drives decisions.
Consider a hospital that wants to reduce patient wait times. Data scientists analyze thousands of appointment records to see where delays happen and recommend ways to improve scheduling. A logistics company might use similar methods to plan faster delivery routes. Sports teams use data to evaluate players and strategies. From improving patient care to optimizing business strategies, these applications explain why data science is one of the fastest-growing fields across healthcare, finance, government and technology.
Learning Data Science at ODU
ODU’s new online bachelor’s in data science through ODUGlobal prepares students to step into this world of opportunity. The program recently underwent a major update, with about 80 percent of the curriculum redesigned to meet today’s demands. Students can choose different pathways based on their background, including beginner and intermediate programming tracks focused on Python, the primary language of data science.
The program combines coursework in programming, statistics, and data management with hands-on practice. Students also learn how to follow the data science pipeline: defining a problem, discovering and preparing data, analyzing it and communicating the results clearly. This pipeline approach reflects how professionals work on real projects, from local governments to global corporations.
“Students go through the full data science pipeline,” Liu said. That means defining a problem, collecting and preparing data, analyzing it and communicating the results. We want graduates who can do the technical work but also explain their findings to decision-makers.”
Every student completes a capstone project, applying their skills to real-world problems. Faculty connect students with partners such as Jefferson Lab, a US Department of Energy national laboratory in Newport News, Virginia, giving graduates the chance to work on meaningful challenges with respected organizations.
Just as important, students develop communication skills, which are essential for explaining technical results to non-technical audiences. This balance of technical and soft skills helps graduates stand out in a competitive job market.
Because data science is always evolving, the curriculum integrates forward-looking technologies that keep students ahead of the curve.
AI and data science go hand in hand: data science organizes and analyzes information, while AI uses it to learn and make smart decisions. AI makes data science more powerful by finding patterns and speeding up analysis. The ODU Data Science curricula include courses that help students strengthen their skills by leveraging AI, preparing them to become more effective data scientists.
Career Possibilities
With a bachelor’s degree in data science, you may qualify for roles such as:
- Data analyst
- Business intelligence specialist
- Operations analyst
- Junior data scientist
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in data-related fields are projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.
The ODUGlobal Difference
By studying online through ODUGlobal, you gain the flexibility to balance education with life’s responsibilities, the support of faculty and advisors who understand your goals and the credibility of earning a degree from a respected public university. Most of all, you will graduate ready to turn data into action and to use those skills in one of the fastest-growing fields of the 21st century.
