FAQ

Data science combines statistical analysis, programming, and domain knowledge to extract insight from data. Boise State offers a comprehensive collections of data science programs spanning four undergraduate certificates, a minor, four bachelor’s degrees and emphases, three graduate degrees, and three graduate certificates. It is designed to fit students from virtually any background.

Several programs are designed specifically for non-CS students. The Data Analytics with R certificate is built for social science students. The Data Science in the Sciences certificate is designed for biology, chemistry, and environmental science students. The Business Analytics certificate is designed for COBE students. At the graduate level, the MS in Data Science explicitly welcomes applicants from any scientific discipline.

The single best first step for most students is CS 133 (Foundations of Data Science). It counts as an FM University Foundations requirement, requires only College Algebra as a co-requisite, and is offered every semester including summer. Taking it early keeps all your options open — it is the entry point for the BEA BS, the Environmental Science DS Emphasis, and both STEM certificates. After CS 133, your interests and math background will naturally point you toward the right path.

Yes, that is exactly what the four undergraduate certificates are designed for. Each is structured to minimize the number of credits beyond your current degree requirements, in some cases as few as six additional credits. You can also add the Applied Data Science Minor (21–31 credits) on top of any certificate for a full interdisciplinary data science credential.

The certificates are designed for different majors and math backgrounds. Data Science in the Sciences is for biology, chemistry, geoscience, and environmental science students and does not require MATH 175. Data Science for STEM is for STEM students who have completed MATH 175 and provides the strongest technical foundation, including machine learning. The Certificate in Business Analytics is for COBE and HIIM students and focuses on business intelligence tools, visualization, and business decision-making. Data Analytics with R is for social science students and covers statistical programming, data wrangling, and a capstone research project.

It depends on your major, but certificates are designed to overlap heavily with existing degree requirements. Many students in the target disciplines add as few as 6 additional credits. The Data Science for STEM certificate requires approximately 12 additional credits, though many STEM majors will already be taking several of those courses.

The minor (21–31 credits) is a full interdisciplinary data science credential. It requires PHIL 123 (Philosophy in a Datafied World, which satisfies an FH University Foundations requirement) plus completion of any one of the four certificates. If you have already started or completed a certificate, you may be closer to the minor than you realize.

The Health Data Analytics BS applies R-based data science methods specifically to health systems, population data, and clinical informatics. It includes a collaborative practicum with a community health sponsor through the DASH Lab. It is housed in the School of Public and Population Health and leads naturally to the MPH (Data-Driven Decision Making emphasis) at the graduate level.

Some bachelor’s degrees offer a Data Science Emphasis as one of several specialization options within the degree. These are full 120-credit bachelor’s degrees in the home discipline — Environmental Science or Mathematical Sciences — with a designated set of data science courses built into the degree requirements. You graduate with the primary degree but with a documented specialization in data science methods.

Yes. For any undergraduate degree, the key is completing MATH 301 (Linear Algebra) and MATH 361 (Probability & Statistics I) before graduation, along with CS 133 and CS 233. These are the core prerequisites for MS or PhD admission regardless of your major. Plan for these courses by your junior year.

Boise State offers three graduate degrees and three graduate certificates. The degrees are the Master of Science in Data Science (30 credits), the Master of Public Health – Data-Driven Decision Making Emphasis (42 credits), and the PhD in Computing – Data Science Emphasis (60 credits). The certificates are the Graduate Certificate in Data Science (12 credits, stackable toward the MS), the Graduate Certificate in Data-Driven Decision Making in Public Health (16 credits, stackable toward the MPH), and the Graduate Certificate in Economic Analytics and Causal Analysis (12 credits).

The Graduate Certificate in Data Science consists of the same four courses that form the required core of the MS — CS 533, CS 534, MATH 562, and MATH 572 (12 credits total). Earning the certificate first is a low-risk way to experience the program before committing to the full 30-credit MS. All certificate credits apply toward the MS if you later decide to continue.

The MS in Data Science is an in-person program. Some individual courses may be offered in hybrid format in a given semester, but the program as a whole is not online.

Full-time students (9–12 credits per semester) typically finish in three semesters. Part-time students averaging six credits per semester across fall, spring, and summer can typically complete the degree in about two years.

Students choose one of three options: a research Thesis, a Service Learning Capstone, or a Practicum/Internship. The thesis is best for students considering a PhD, while the practicum or internship is the most popular option for students heading into industry roles.

The MPH focuses on applying data science methods within the specific context of public and population health — epidemiology, biostatistics, community health data, and collaborative research through the DASH Lab. It is a 42-credit cohort program and the right choice for students whose primary interest is health rather than computing.

All graduate programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA. The MPH program will consider applicants with a 2.75–3.0 GPA on a case-by-case basis.

Graduate assistantships are available for PhD students — applying by the January 5 priority deadline is strongly recommended as competition is strong. The MS in Data Science program does not guarantee assistantships, but individual faculty may offer funding; reach out to potential advisors directly. Students may also independently pursue financial aid, scholarships, and work-study opportunities.

Yes. The MPH requires a proctored writing exam, two letters of recommendation from professional contacts, and a current résumé or CV, in addition to the standard graduate application materials. Contact MPHInfo@boisestate.edu for details on the writing exam and current deadlines.

Each program has a dedicated contact for inquiries. Visit our Program Contacts page for a full list of email contacts organized by program.