Model Data Science program

Published

April 1, 2025

Below is a model program for a data science major illustrating one way to schedule courses and obtain this major. This is not the only way to do it, but serves as an example.

A complete description of the major requirements can be found here.

Note

A minimum of 124 hours is required to graduate. The schedule below has exactly 124 hours.

A full-time load consists of 12-18 hours each semester.

Fall
Spring
course hrs course hrs
Year 1
CS 1061 4
CS 112 4
MATH 1712 4
MATH 172 4
K & U Core3 4
Foundational Writing 4
World Languages 14 4
World Languages 14 4
total
16

16
Year 2
DATA 202 4
STAT 2435 4
DS Domain Study 16,7 4
DS Domain Study 26,7 4
Christian Foundations 1 4
Christian Foundations 2 2
K & U Core3 4
K & U Core3 4



Health & Movement 1 1
total
16

15
Year 3
CS elective 18 4
CS elective 28 2
STAT 245 4
MATH/STAT elective 4
DS Domain Study 36,7 4
K & U Core3 4
Elective9 4
Health & Movement 2 1



Elective9 4
total
16

15
Year 4
CS 396 2
CS 398 2
CS elective 38 2
CS 384 4
K & U Core3 2
DATA 304 & DATA 385 4
Elective9 4
K & U Core3 4
Elective9 4
Elective9 2
total
14

16
grand total
62

62
1 CS 106 is preferred here, but CS 108 or 104 (rare) can work as well.
2 The Mathematical Sciences core requirement is easily covered in the major; there are other MATH/STAT options to choose from.
3 Calvin's core requires 26 hours in the Knowlege and Understanding categories, distributed among several sub-categories. The mathematical sciences subcategory is met by program requirements, leaving 22 hours.
4 Students are required to complete 102 level language. If starting a new language, this requires two semesters (101 and 102). Students continuing a previous language should consult the relevant department for placement information.
5 STAT 243 is common here, but there are other options for probability and statistics.
6 Some DS domain cognate courses may also fulfill a core requirement, reducing the need to fulfill a core requirement elsewhere in the schedule.
7 See below for some additional information about selecting courses for the Domain Study requirement.
8 CS Electives are 4-hour or 2-hour courses; this model program includes one 4-hour course (CS 212 is a good option) and two 2-hour courses.
9 DS students must either take tagged courses in the core/major or add tagged elective courses.

The domain study cognate

The major requires an additional 12 hours,

  • normally with the same course prefix other than CS, DATA, MATH, or STAT (e.g., BIOL, BUS, GEO, POLS),
  • at least 4 hours of which must be at the 300 level, or with the advisor’s approval.

Here’s a good way to figure out a set of courses that would work:

  1. Determine a subject (or more than one) that interests you.
  2. See if that subject has a minor.
  3. See if you can take a subset of the courses required for a minor that includes a 300-level course. (Be sure to consider the prerequisites.)
  4. Check with your advisor or a faculty member in the other department to make sure you haven’t overlooked anything.

Many domain areas are possible. Here are some that students have done recently.

  • Business
  • Economics
  • Public Health
  • Political Science
  • Psychology