Data Science Program

Minor in Data Science

Program Description:

The minor in Data Science (DS) from the Department of Computer Science is open to all undergraduates in any major (including CS majors) at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

  • The program offers a core foundation in data science and trains students in competencies to work with big data using computational and statistical techniques and tools as well as applying models and algorithms. 
  • The program engages students in the professional practice of data science with job titles such as data scientist and data analytics.
  • The program promotes interdisciplinary studies by applying data science concepts to a broad range of disciplines including but not limited to science, engineering, business and social sciences.

For more information, please refer to the Data Science Hub page and the FAQs.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the minor in Data Science, students will acquire:

  • knowledge and skills of processing data, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions from data;
  • an ability to apply data analysis methods and modern computing techniques for dealing with big data; and
  • an ability to conduct big data analytics projects and apply data science to real-life problems across a broad range of disciplines.

Program Curriculum:

Course Offering

1.  Foundation Courses (9 units)

  • One course in Statistics: STA1200 Statistics with Applications (3) or equivalent (e.g., STA2260)
  • One course in College Algebra: MAT1050 College Algebra (3) or equivalent (e.g., MAT1140)
  • One course in Python programming: CS1260 Python for Beginners (3) or CS2520 Python for Programmers (3) or equivalent

2.  Core Courses (9 units)

  • CS2410 Fundamental of Data Science (3) or CS3010 Numerical Methods and Computing (3)
  • CS4210 Machine Learning and Its Applications (3)
  • CS4650 Big Data Analytics and Cloud Computing (3)

3.  Electives (9 units -- choose 3 from the following approved list) 

 

CS courses

  • CS4200 Artificial Intelligence (3)
  • CS4250 Web Search and Recommender Systems (3)
  • CS4350 Database Systems (3)
  • CS 4230 Social Computing (3)
  • CS4990 Special Topics in Data Mining (3)

Statistics and Business courses

  • STA4320 Applied Regression Analysis (4)
  • STA4700 Categorical Data Analysis (3)  
  • CIS 3252 Business Intelligence (3)  
  • CIS3454 Data Warehousing (3)
  • CIS3650 Digital Analytics (3)  
  • CIS4320 Applied  Regression Analysis (3)  
  • CIS4321 Data Mining (3)  
  • CIS4567 Big Data Analytics (3)  
  • CIS4680 Advanced Data Analysis (3)
  • TOM3160 Business Analytics (3)

 

Engineering courses

  • CE4331/4331L GIS Applications in Engineering and Remote Sensing (3)
  • IME4140 Data Analysis: Application in Industrial and Systems Engineering (3)

CLASS courses

  • GEO3220/3220L GIS Programming and Application (3)
  • GEO4050/4050L Geodemographics with GIS (3)
  • GEO4100/4100L Remote Sensing of the Environment (3)
  • GEO4400/4400L Advanced GIS (3)
  • GEO4430/4430L - Quantitative Spatial Analysis (3) 

4.  Capstone project in data science: (2 units)

  • CS4610: Senior project (1)
  • CS4620: Senior project (1)
Note: The capstone project spans to two semesters. CS4610 centers on research methodology and project topic selection while CS4620 focuses on project implementation. Must complete CS4610 before taking CS4620.

Recommended Roadmaps:

  • Roadmap 1: For students declaring DS minor in freshmen year
    • Year 1: MAT1050, STA1200, CS1260/CS2520
    • Year 2: CS2410, CS4650, [one elective - optional]
    • Year 3: CS4210, one or two electives
    • Year 4: remaining electives, capstone project
  • Roadmap 2: For students declaring DS minor in sophomore year
    • Year 2: MAT1050, STA1200, CS1260/CS2520, CS2410
    • Year 3: CS4650, CS4210, one elective
    • Year 4: two electives, capstone project
  • Roadmap 3: For students declaring DS minor in junior year (either with prior taken credits and/or recommended summer classes)
    • Year 3: MAT1050, STA1200, CS1260/CS2520, CS2410, one elective
    • Year 4: CS4650, CS4210, two electives, capstone project
  • Roadmap 4: For CS majors
    • Year 2: CS2520, CS3010, MAT1140, STA2260  
    • Year 3: CS4650, CS4210, one elective
    • Year 4: two elective, capstone project 

2021 – 2022 Course Offerings (Tentative):

Program Information

 

Spring 2022

Fall 2022 (tentative)

Tier 1 (9 units)

 

MAT 1050 (3) 

√

√

 

STA 1200 (3)

√

√

 

CS1260 Python for Beginners (3) †

√

√

 

CS2520 Python for Programmers (3) †

√

√

 

 

 

 

Tier 2 (3 units) *

 

CS2410 Fundamental of Data Science (3) ‡

 √

√

 

CS3010 Numerical Methods and Computing (3) ‡

√

√

 

 

 

 

Tier 3 (6 units) **

 

CS4210 Machine Learning and Applications (3)

* (CS4990 Data Mining as substitute)

 

√

 

CS4650 Big Data Analytics and Cloud Computing (3)

√

√

 

 

 

 

Electives (9 units) ***

 

CS4200 Artificial Intelligence (3)

√

√

 

CS4250 Web Search and Recommender Systems (3)

 √

 √

 

CS4350 Database Systems (3)

√

√

 

CS4990 Social Computing (3)

 √

 

 

CS4990 Data Mining (3)  

 √

† Either CS1260 or CS2520

‡ Non-CS majors strongly recommended to take CS2410

* Non-CS majors must complete Tier 1 to take Tier 2 class

** Must complete Tier 2 to take Tier 3 classes

*** Non-CS major should discuss with program coordinator