About the concentration in Data Analytics and Social Sciences
Combine the analytical tools of data science with an applied understanding of the social sciences. The Data Analytics and Social Sciences concentration offers the opportunity to integrate data analytics with insight into historical, political, economic, or behavioral contexts. In this degree concentration, you develop statistical and data programming skills to address real-world problems, learn to make and persuasively communicate data-driven decisions, and customize your studies with courses in global and area studies, organizational culture and collaboration, leadership, and other social sciences.
The concentration in Data Analytics and Social Sciences prepares you to:
- Implement and interpret basic regression models
- Understand advanced predictive modeling and machine learning
- Implement and analyze surveys
- Design experiments and A/B tests to test solutions and address problems
- Develop skills in statistical programming and data analysis in R
- Apply skills and knowledge to solve real-world problems
- Understand how to make complex information accessible to audiences through effective visualization
- Develop effective rhetorical strategies and skills to persuade specific audiences through visual, written and multimedia communication
- Demonstrate knowledge of analytical tools used in social sciences
- Learn conceptual frameworks to enable you to make connections between courses in different fields
Courses
Students in the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree will choose a concentration to tailor their undergraduate education to specific personal and professional goals. Courses within each concentration may be taken in any order unless prerequisites are specified.
Students must complete foundational courses for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree. In addition, students in this concentration must complete the following—a total of 12 courses (12 c.u.*):
- Data Analytics course block (4 courses)
- 2 specified Professional Writing courses
- 6 additional courses in the social sciences with input from an academic advisor
Course options
Data Analytics course block
- DATA 1010: Introduction to Data Analytics
- DATA 2100: Intermediate Data Analytics
- DATA 3100: Introduction to Statistical Methods
- DATA 4010: Advanced Topics in Data Analytics
Professional Writing courses
Social Sciences course block
- APOP 2700: Flourishing and Well-Being in Resilient Communities
- CLCH 2100: Introduction to Disaster Management
- DIGC 1600: A History of Digital Culture
- ICOM 1000: Intercultural Communication
- GLBS 1000: Introduction to Global Studies
- GLBS 2000: Globalization: Social, Economic, and Political Aspects
- LEAD 2020: Leadership Lessons from the Social Sciences
- ORGC 1600: Introduction to Team Culture
- ORGC 2010: Virtual Collaboration
- ORGC 3010: Anthropology of Organizations
- ORGC 3300: Building Influence Across Cultural Boundaries in Organizations
- SDEI 1100: Introduction to Social Difference in American Society*
- SDEI 1600: Race and Ethnicity in Organizations
- SDEI 2100: Cultural and Social Identity
- SOSC 1020: Addressing Contemporary Social Issues*
*This course may not be offered every academic year. Check the course page or our course guide to see when upcoming terms are added.
Courses are subject to change.
*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.
Certificates related to Data Analytics and Social Sciences
See your advisor to explore earning the following certificates along with your degree. Note that these certificates are not earned automatically upon completing your degree; your advisor will help ensure that your academic plan meets the requirements of your preferred certificate.
Careers related to Data Analytics and Social Sciences
- Database administrator
- Market research analyst
- Marketing specialist
- Survey researcher
- Operations research analyst
- General and operations manager
- Social and community service manager
- Statistical assistant
