Guide to Data Science Courses for International Students

What is data science? Data science is a discipline that combines mathematical and statistical knowledge with technology to study data and extract insights for business decision-making. If you are interested in collecting data, building data models, performing predictive analysis, and making strategic business recommendations, enrolling in data science courses and pursuing a career in data science may be a great fit!

Read on to learn more about data science, courses in data science offered at Shorelight universities, career pathways you can pursue as a data science major, and more.

What Is Data Science?

Data science is a field of study that involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data for organizations. Students with a degree in data science can work across multiple industries including cyber security, finance, retail, and more. Data science courses teach students to assess organizational performance and risks and make recommendations to top-level management to support strategic and operational decision-making. If you have strong skills in mathematics, research, and problem-solving, data science can be a good fit for you.

Why Study Data Science?

Data science is becoming an increasingly popular field since more organizations are adopting technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to streamline their operations, and need data science experts to handle large-scale data. According to a recent study, the global data science platform is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.7% and reach a value of $322.9 billion by 2026, which can result in more opportunities for data scientists, who are especially involved in developing big data and cloud computing solutions. 

A degree in data science can equip you with highly sought-after technical skills such as applied mathematics, coding, data visualization, machine learning algorithms, and more, preparing you for careers in a data science specialization of your choice.

Different Types of Specializations for Data Science Majors

While data science courses teach you fundamentals in data collection, analysis, and visualization, a data science specialization will help you gain a deeper understanding of your chosen field and learn job-specific skills. Here are several data science specializations for you to consider.

Business Analytics and Intelligence

A specialization in business analytics and intelligence teaches you how to analyze data and make business decisions to improve business financial performance. A degree in business analytics and intelligence includes courses in database management, mathematics, regression modeling, report creation, and statistical analysis. These courses in data science and analytics can prepare you for careers such as business development manager, business intelligence analyst, data architect, and market research analyst.

Data Engineering

Specializing in data engineering prepares you to design and build systems for collecting, storing, and analyzing big data for companies. You will take courses in big data technologies, cloud computing, data integration, and data warehousing that can give you the engineering and problem-solving skills needed to build big data solutions for companies. These data science course possibilities prepare you for high-paying roles such as computer systems analyst, data engineer, data scientist, and network analyst.

Database Management

A specialization in database management gives you the knowledge and skills needed to manage, develop, and maintain organizational databases and data retrieval systems. During your studies, you will learn how to work with database design and application development and will take data science course options including data architecture design, big data systems engineering, business intelligence, and data warehousing. Building these technical skills prepares you for industry roles in database management as a data administrator, data analyst, data architect, and information modeling engineer.

Financial Analytics

Financial analytics is a specialization that utilizes data analysis to explore the financial performance of organizations and make important financial decisions. Courses center on business administration and finance including corporate finance, financial reporting, investment management, and strategic management. With a degree in financial analytics, you can look forward to working as a fund manager, financial risk specialist, securities analyst, and investment analyst across industries such as banking, finance, stock trading, and sales.

Machine Learning

Designed for students interested in technological innovation, a machine learning specialization offers a hands-on learning experience in designing and building artificial intelligence systems from scratch. Machine learning curricula include courses such as applied statistics, data mining, information visualization, and natural language processing which prepare students to implement ML algorithms, run AI system tests, and perform statistical analysis on company data. These technical skills can be applied across a number of lucrative data-driven roles such as application developer, data architect, programmer, and software engineer.

Managerial Data Science

Specializing in managerial data science gives you the technical, interpersonal, and project management skills needed to manage data science projects for businesses. You may take a data science course such as database systems, business domains, general management, and programming languages and can apply for careers as a data science program manager or project manager.

Most universities also support data science majors by offering STEM-based internship programs and opportunities to take part in global research initiatives. This enables students to enhance their technical skills while also developing their ability to work in teams, communicate with clarity, learn from professionals in different industries, and more. As a data science major studying in the US, you also qualify for a STEM extension for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which can help you gain wider industry exposure, work experience, and professional connections.

Let’s explore several data science programs offered at Shorelight universities.

Shorelight Universities Offering Courses in Data Science

From running data operations at top tech companies and preventing cybercrime to improving customer experience in retail sectors and developing data science applications to detect diseases, the role of a data scientist is vast. Shorelight universities prepare you for data-centered careers through tailored data science course options that give you essential industry skills in business, computer science, mathematics, and statistics.

Bellarmine University

Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, provides an interdisciplinary data science curriculum for undergraduates in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics Department, and W. Fielding Rubel School of Business. The degree is designed to provide foundational knowledge in data science, where students can choose from a variety of minors or opt for a second major depending on their interests and academic scores. Bellarmine encourages students to collaborate on research projects with industry experts and build connections with potential employers.

Lewis University

Ranked #13 among Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report, Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, is a private university offering graduate and undergraduate programs in data science. Through the Department of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, Lewis University gives undergraduate students the option of pursuing both a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in data science. Students can look forward to learning the mathematical, scientific, and statistical aspects of collecting and interpreting data by taking a data science course in applied probability and statistics, artificial intelligence, big data systems, mathematical modeling, and more.

Mount St. Mary’s University

Near Washington, DC, Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, provides an accessible, experiential learning experience with opportunities for collaborative research with global teams. The School of Natural Science and Mathematics provides both a major and minor option for data science programs at the undergraduate level. With data science courses designed to give students an understanding of how to transform data into data products, students learn to make informed business decisions and use data to solve community challenges in areas such as education and health care. Students have access to interactive study groups, lab assistantships, and summer research opportunities during their studies to gain real-world experience through internships and mentoring programs.

Salve Regina University

Ranked #13 in Best Undergraduate Teaching and #22 for Most Innovative Schools by U.S. News & World Report, Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, provides students with an accelerated learning pathway with opportunities to grow through real-world experience and research projects. In partnership with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth), Salve Regina offers a dual-degree program in data science where students can complete three years of undergraduate study in mathematics and data analytics at Salve Regina, followed by two years at UMass Dartmouth’s graduate program in data science; core courses focus on computer science, data science and analytics, mathematics, physics, and statistics.

University of Utah

The University of Utah in Salt Lake City offers students a number of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in data science. Undergraduate students can pursue a bachelor of science (BS) in data science, designed to build technical skills in data processing, management, and analysis. Graduate degree options include both a master of science and technology (MST) in computational and data science and a master of science (MS) in data management and analysis. Additionally, students pursuing a master of science (MS) in computing or a master of science in math (MStat) can also choose data science as a concentration. Students can take courses in data science, work with global teams, and drive data science research and community engagement, while showcasing their work at STEM events such as the Data Science Day on campus.

A Shorelight advisor can help you identify which data science courses and specialization best aligns with your academic interests and career goals, and assist you in building an effective career development plan. 

Here are several job roles you can work toward with a data science major from a Shorelight university.

Possible Career Pathways with a Data Science Degree

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientist job roles are expected to grow 35% by 2032 (which is faster than the industry average). A report from the World Economic Forum also lists data science skills in AI, big data, and analytical thinking among the top technological skills of the future. After taking data science courses and earning your degree, you can look forward to a positive industry outlook, with increasing opportunities for professional and career advancement. 

Here are several options you can consider with a degree in data science:

• Business intelligence analyst — Business intelligence analysts are responsible for performing data analysis and managing data systems within an organization. In your role, you will develop and manage business intelligence solutions, create business process reports, build data retrieval models, and make recommendations for improving organizational efficiency.

• Data administrator — As a data administrator, you will be responsible for storing, organizing, and maintaining a company’s data. You may also be involved in designing and implementing data administration policies, models, and standards, and improving the security of data storage systems.

• Data architect — In the role of a data architect, you may be required to design blueprints and data management systems and may be responsible for analyzing the data infrastructure of your organization, planning future databases, and developing application programming interfaces (APIs) for retrieving data.

• Data engineer — Working as a data engineer allows you to build systems that collect, manage, and convert raw data into information. With this role, you can develop data algorithms, build database pipelines, and create new data validation methods and analysis tools.

• Investment analyst — An investment analyst’s role involves collecting financial data and analyzing assets including stocks, bonds, and currencies. Investment analysts require strong problem-solving skills and are involved in building financial models, predicting economic and business trends, and making financial and budget recommendations.

• Software engineer — Software engineers create software for computers and other applications. If you are an analytical thinker with problem-solving skills and a passion for building digital products, this could be a good role for you, as it requires high literacy in programming languages and data architecture.

In the US, data science majors can look forward to high-paying careers in STEM industries and rewarding career development opportunities. 

Here is a list of careers you can consider with a degree in data science, together with data science salary estimates in the US, India, China, and Brazil.

Source: Payscale, 2024

Previous Shorelight students who studied a data science course have already leveraged their new skills into rewarding careers.

Nikhil, an international student from India, earned a master of data science from the University of the Pacific. Taking courses in data science, artificial learning, and big data, Nikhil was able to qualify for CPT at Nextuple, a leading software as a service (SaaS) provider in the US.

Sewoo from South Korea, also began his data science career in the US with Shorelight’s support. After earning his master’s in data science at Adelphi University, he was hired as a business and data analyst at NBCUniversal.

With a degree in data science, you can apply for multiple career opportunities across diverse industries including cybersecurity, energy, fintech, health care, and more. Courses in data science can help you build your machine learning and programming skills, preparing you to work with data algorithms and models and find data insights to help businesses make profitable decisions.

Shorelight advisors can help you identify the best-fit schools and data science courses that align with your learning goals, and provide personalized application and academic support as you work towards your career in data science. Reach out to a Shorelight advisor today to explore your data science degree options and prepare for exciting careers in this dynamic and growing field!

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