Data Science Major Map
Use this major map to explore possibilities and plan for success in five overlapping areas of career and academics.
Choose your year below, then see what you can do when you:
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Learn. Develop the knowledge and skills to complete your major.
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Engage. Contribute to campus and the community.
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Network. Build a foundation of professional connections.
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Transform. Make a positive impact in a diverse world.
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Prepare. Plan for life after graduation.
The map just offers suggestions - you don’t have to do it all.
Learn: What foundational courses should I be taking?
- Form a firm mathematical background: Math 115, Math 116, MATH 227
- Master the basics of programming: CIS 1501, CIS 2001
- Build your writing skills: COMP 105, COMP 270
- Understand the data ethics: HHS 470
Engage: What kinds of activities and organizations can I explore?
- Join Talent Gateway
- Check out all the opportunities offered by the Office of Student Life
- Participate in First Year Programs, offered through the Office of Student Life
- Meet with a First Year Experience Librarian to learn about Mardigian Library resources
Network: What are important topics in my field?
- Visit your professor’s office hours to introduce yourself
- Join a professional organization related to your major
- Visit Mardigian Library to explore endless resources and librarian support
- Explore job websites to discover demanding technical fields such as big data informatics, data mining, machine learning, statistical analysis, data visualization, and sector-specific data analytics (e.g., business, healthcare, finance,
- insurance, market, etc.)
Transform: What are the challenges and the strengths in my community?
- Attend a local meeting of your community board
- Donate to the Student Food Pantry
- Explore and sign up for one of the community or university activities
Prepare: What are the career options for people with my major?
- Start building your CV - your academic resume
- Explore career options in your field to learn about requirements and expectations
- Visit the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to learn about different types of financial aid, including many scholarship
Learn: How do I build on foundational courses?
- Be introduced to discrete mathematics: CIS 275 or MATH 276 or MATH 315
- Enhance theoretical foundation: MATH 215, IMSE 317 or STAT 325
- Understand data science fundamentals: ECE 3100, CIS 3200, STAT 305
- Be introduced to a laboratory science
Engage: What activities and organizations will help me develop professional skills?
- Join major-specific club or any of a number of Student Organizations on campus
- Participate in Cooperative Education
Network: How do I connect with faculty and students with similar interests?
- Submit one of your best papers or projects to the Meeting of Minds Undergraduate Conference
- Attend department colloquium and other research talks on campus
- Attend research talks at UM-Ann Arbor, Wayne State, or Oakland University
- Work with a faculty member on a research problem or independent project
Transform: What are the challenges and strengths of the Detroit Metro area?
- Contribute to a community project through the Office of Metropolitan Impact (OMI)
- Volunteer for a campus or community organization
- Become a Diversity Ambassador or participate in a Conversation on Race
Prepare: What resources are available on campus to help me develop the professional skills I will need?
- Meet with your professors to discuss your skills and possible career options
- Find out about co-ops and internships and whether your job qualifies for credit
- Visit the Campus Writing Center
Learn: How do I gain expertise in my major?
- Learn how to manipulate data effectively: CIS 350
- Learn about massive data management: CIS 422
- Begin your data science application area: choose application/elective courses
- Complete business and DDC intersection requirements: ENGR 400 or ENT 400
Engage: How can I grow as a leader on campus?
- Consider running for Student Government or a leadership position in a campus organization
- Check out the options through the Office of Student Life’s Leadership Development webpage
Network: How can I broaden my professional relationships?
- Submit your best paper or research to an undergraduate student journal
- Establish a LinkedIn profile to connect with UM-Dearborn alumni or to join industry-related LinkedIn Groups that hire students
- Attend academic/professional conferences
Transform: How can I prepare to effectively solve local and global challenges?
- Visit the Office of International Affairs to plan and register for a Study Abroad course
- Diversify your perspective by taking a course outside your major
- Use Mardigian Library resources to learn more about real-world problems and solutions
Prepare: What practical things should I do to further my career options?
- Schedule a visit to the Office of Career Services
- Work a (paid) internship or co-op into your schedule to gain professional experience
- Assess what experiences you are lacking for current job postings and fill in those gaps before graduation
Learn: How do I finish strong?
- Continue to enhance theoretical foundation: STAT 430
- Demonstrate your skill on a real-world project: CIS 4971, CIS 4972
- Finish your degree with remaining application/elective courses
Engage: How can I mentor others to be leaders on campus?
- Create a new club or student organization
Network: How can I demonstrate my readiness for the next steps?
- Make sure your applications for graduate or professional schools are complete with a writing sample and personal essay
- Do targeted networking with alumni working in careers of interest and ask questions about job opportunities and the interview process
- Request letters of recommendation from faculty who know your work
- Publish your work on one of the app stores
Transform: How can I add to the strengths of my community, the region, and the world?
- Contribute to global learning initiatives on campus
- Consider spending the summer volunteering with a government agency or nonprofit
Prepare: How do I make the best use of university resources to launch my professional next steps?
- Apply to jobs or future education, or make plans for other adventures
- Visit Career Services for advice with job searching and interviewing, resumes, and graduate school applications
- Explore possible graduate program opportunities at UM-Dearborn
- Register for postgraduate entrance exams (for example, GRE, MCAT, LSAT) if you plan on graduate school
With the rapid growth of data, companies, governments, and other institutions are striving to convert abundant untapped data into actionable knowledge and insights. Data science has a wide range of applications in our society, from engineering to healthcare to business to social studies. It has been suggested that the job market is facing a serious shortage of workers in data science. It leads the pack for best jobs in the U.S., according to a recent report from company review site Glassdoor.
Potential employers for graduates in data science include Ford, GM, Quicken Loans, PayPal, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Verizon, Google, Facebook, Twitter, eBay, IBM, SAP, Sybase, Amazon, LinkedIn, etc. The potential job titles include data engineer, data architect, data strategist, database developer, database administrator, business intelligence developer, statistician, machine learning engineer, AI specialist, data visualization engineer, software developer, sector-specific data analyst (in healthcare, finance, insurance, market), etc.
Use the map on the interior portion of this brochure to review possibilities and plan for success in the five areas listed - Learn, Engage, Network, Transform, Prepare. The map gives options so you can select what best matches your interests and goals. Start thinking about your future now and build a path throughout your UM-Dearborn career that will prepare you for success.
College is a time for discovering your passions — figuring out who you are and what drives you. UM-Dearborn offers more than 100 majors and minors, so you can find a program that is right for you. We are committed to cultivating a campus community that acknowledges our similarities and celebrates our differences. On campus you’ll find a range of support services and offices that provide the programs you need to be successful both academically and personally.