Randolph-Macon College will introduce a major and minor in data science starting in the fall of 2025. The new area of study, housed within the Department of Mathematics and offering courses from several fields, will offer students a pathway to a rapidly growing career field.

Data science is an interdisciplinary field that combines the tools of mathematics, statistics, and computer science to solve problems in a wide range of disciplines. With an emphasis on using data to describe the world, students and graduates of this program will use statistical and machine learning models along with programming languages such as Python to create algorithms and predictive models. In addition, they will learn data visualization techniques and explore the ethical dimensions of data.

“This program opens up a new opportunity for RMC students to be well-prepared to succeed and thrive in today’s technology-laden, data-driven world – whether they are headed for the job market or graduate school,” said Professor Adrian Rice, Chair of the Department of Mathematics. “Students who plan for careers in STEM aren’t the only ones who’ll need data science skills – demand is increasing in every sector. RMC’s Mathematics Department is excited to coordinate this multidimensional program.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of data scientists will grow 35% within the next decade. Typical entry-level jobs require only a bachelor’s degree and feature median pay over $100,000 per year. 

The new curriculum for data science majors and minors will feature a mix of new courses, reimagined courses, and existing courses from the mathematics and computer science programs. Several members of RMC’s award-winning mathematics faculty are currently earning Data Science certifications to enhance their expertise in the field.  

The data science program aligns with the existing pillars of RMC’s liberal arts curriculum, synthesizing knowledge to develop interdisciplinary solutions to open-ended questions, and fostering critical thinking and effective communication skills. Some data science classes will also feature as part of the College’s general education offering. The new foundational course for the program, DATA 110 (Mathematical Foundations of Data Science), is specifically designed to be accessible to all RMC students irrespective of major or minor field. 

A sample of courses in the new major and minor include:

• Principles of Data Science 
• Communicating with Data 
• Machine Learning 
• Data Ethics 

“It’s clear that both prospective and current students are excited about the field of data science, and I know they will be well-served by Randolph-Macon’s major and minor,” said Provost Alisa J. Rosenthal. “This new program owes its existence to the hard work and dedication of Mathematics Professor Chiru Bhattacharya, who devoted much time and effort to its development. As the College’s curriculum continues to evolve, we owe her much gratitude for her thoughtful, interdisciplinary collaboration across departments. Together, our faculty have created a data science curriculum that prepares graduates to get jobs, yes, but also to do them with the integrity and critical thinking that will be required in the modern world.” 

Students will be able to declare a major or minor in data science as early as next fall.