Academics
Where innovative ideas meet energized action
What if you could solve the world's biggest problems because you can understand and interpret data? A data science degree equips you with skills and knowledge to make an impact in any field — health care, finance, agriculture, entertainment, sports and more. Data science can help advance solutions for food security, improve disaster planning, advance autonomous transportation, or drive better business decisions.
Iowa State offers flexible options for a major, minor, or certificate in data science. We’ll help you build the skills to launch your data-driven career upon graduation.
Major
Develop valuable skills in programming and statistics for a strong foundation in data science. You’ll learn the technical fundamentals to transform data into actionable insight and choose an emphasis area aligned with your career interests. We’ll also help you gain hands-on experience through research and internships so you can graduate ready to solve complex problems in any field you choose.
Minor
With just 15 credits, you can earn a data science minor and gain an in-depth understanding of data science as it is applied to diverse fields. This minor is open to students from all disciplines and can help you enhance your skill set and resume.
Certificate
Our data science certificate is designed to prepare you for a future career with significant data science components. Your coursework includes our upper-level data science capstone where you’ll plan, design, and implement a multi-disciplinary project in data science.
Connections
You’ll find support from your peers, faculty, and staff when you join the Mathematics and Data Science Learning Community. You’ll take classes with students who share your interests, find study buddies, have guidance from a peer mentor, and enjoy social and professional activities. Learn about your path of study, on-campus resources and activities, and future careers. You’ll connect with faculty and students through activities both in and outside the classroom and collaborate with a peer mentor.
Connect with other students developing innovative and entrepreneurial skills in the Start Something CALS or Start Something LAS Academy. Or find other students with similar interests in any of Iowa State’s hundreds of student organizations.
Connect and thrive
Iowa State is a big university with a close-knit, caring community that provides access to resources that support and enrich your learning, working, and living experience.
The university provides a comprehensive network of academic support, health and safety resources, and supportive communities.