The Data Analytics interdisciplinary minor consists of 20 credit hours typically split between three required foundational courses and two electives chosen from a list representing 12 different disciplines.
Required Courses
12 Credits
The three foundational courses offer students experience in statistics, introduction to programming in R and Python, and exposure to applications of analytics techniques in a variety of real-world settings.
- CSC-121 Intro to Computer Programming
- CSC-272 Introduction to Data Mining
- MTH-245 Statistical Methods I with R
At a minimum, students will need a background in Statistics (BIO-222, ECN-120, HSC-201, MTH-120, PSY-202, or SOC-302) for MTH-245.
Elective Courses: Domain-Specific Approaches
8 credit hours, at least 4 credit hours must be from a course not labeled MTH or CSC
- ACC-350 Accounting Information Systems
- BIO-222 Research and Analysis
- BIO-431 Landscape Ecology and Conservation
- BIO-445 Genomics and Informatics
- BUS-230 Business Analytics
- BUS-337 Intermediate Business Analytics
- CHM-240 Experimental Techniques
- CHM-330 Analytical Chemistry
- CSC-341 Database Management Systems
- CSC-343 Artificial Intelligence
- CSC-372 Machine Learning with Big Data
- ECN-331 Empirical Methods in Economics
- ECN-475 Senior Seminar in Economics (specific topics approved by the oversight committee)
- EES-201 Geographic Information Systems
- EES-301 Remote Sensing
- HSC-201 Research and Evaluation in Health Sciences
- HSC-401 Epidemiology
- MTH-335 Mathematical Models and Applications
- MTH-337 Operations Research
- MTH-340 Probability
- MTH-341 Mathematical Statistics
- MTH-345 Statistical Methods II with R
- PSY-202 Data Analysis in Psychology
- SOC-303 Quantitative Research Seminar
- SOC-304 Qualitative Research Seminar
- SUS-242 Dynamic Systems Modeling
Independent Study Electives and Summer Research Experiences
Independent Study, Independent Research, and Directed Independent Study (Courses numbered 501, 502, and 504) may be used as electives with approval of the oversight committee. Likewise, directed summer research experiences (TFA-002) may be considered for use as electives with approval, along with the submission of a substantive research paper to be reviewed by the committee. Faculty-supervised independent study and research offer excellent learning opportunities and should be encouraged when the work is empirical in nature, directly involving data analytics if possible, and congruent with the objectives for the electives above.
Furman Engaged
For successful completion of the minor, students must give a presentation at Furman Engaged. This may take the form of an oral presentation or a poster, and should detail a significant data analytics project undertaken by the student in the course of their minor studies.
Data Analytics Minor Oversight Committee
To declare this minor, contact the Data Analytics Minor Chair, Dr. Kevin Hutson, or contact any member of the Data Analytics Minor Oversight Committee to discuss this minor:
- Dr. Chris Alvin (Computer Science)
- Dr. Liz Bouzarth (Mathematics)
- Dr. Roy Bower (Mathematics)
- Dr. Kevin Hutson (Mathematics), Chair
- Dr. Taha Kasim (Economics)
- Dr. Virginia Gerde (Business and Accounting)
- Dr. John Quinn (Biology)
- Dr. Fahad Sultan (Computer Science)