Overview
As technology advances and the internet houses more information than ever before, being able to analyze and organize this data has become an important and necessary skill, one that is filled by data scientists and computational mathematicians.
Data science uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extrapolate important information from large, unstructured data and focuses on the application of the knowledge learned from data. Computational mathematics is the mathematics behind computations, especially algorithms and computer algebra. It studies the limit of what the mathematics computers can perform and prove while continuing to advance the computational capabilities of modern computers.
Studying this program gives you the opportunity for a rewarding career. Data science ranked third in U.S. News’ Best Technology Jobs in 2022, boasting high salaries and low unemployment rates with the median salary being $98,230 and the top 25 percent of data scientists making over $130,000 a year.
By choosing to study Data Science and Computational Mathematics at Illinois State, you will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of mathematics, statistics, data structure, and programming. With the solid curriculum training, you can enter into doctoral programs or be ready for employment in industries such as:
- Financial firms
- Healthcare systems
- Manufacturing
- Technology
- Business
- Education
- Consulting firms
- Government
Why Study Data Science and Computational Mathematics?
Through studying Data Science and Computational Mathematics at Illinois State, you will be prepared to enter a field that becomes evermore prevalent and in-demand. You will be equipped with not only advanced mathematics and statistics skills, but strong knowledge of multiple common programming languages that will add to your competitiveness when seeking professional experiences.
As data science and computational mathematics go hand in hand, Illinois State allows you to follow a common track for the first two years of your studies and then tailor your coursework to fit either a data science or computational mathematics concentration. The first two years are designed to equip you with strong mathematics, statistics, and programming skills.
The Data Science concentration will prepare you to gain deep insights from data in context through the use of statistical inference, computational processes, and data management strategies, whereas the Computational Mathematics concentration allows you to gain extensive preparation in applied and computational mathematics.
Whether you plan to enter industry, academia, or another field, Illinois State’s Data Science and Computational Mathematics program will allow you to gain all the knowledge and skills needed to feel confident in your mathematical abilities and enter your preferred field after finishing the program.