From ancient law codes to census data to Facebook posts, historians analyze a lot of data. By harnessing the power of data science, historians can analyze even greater quantities of it to uncover hidden patterns, confirm theories, and generate fresh ideas about past events and societal shifts.
The History + Data Science curriculum will provide you with a strong foundation in data science analytics which you can use to formulate and resolve historical questions. The program combines academic learning with real-world experiences that will enhance your education, skill development, and career readiness.
History + Data Science Degree Requirements
To obtain a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences (BSLAS) degree in history + data science students must complete 68-69 hours of required coursework and the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements (some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program).
History Core (33 hours)
At least one course must focus on history pre-1600 and a second course on history pre-1800. Students should complete this requirement while navigating the major. This requirement can be completed by HIST courses at any level.
Preliminary Coursework (4-6 hours)
Two 100-level history courses.
Core Coursework (6 hours)
HIST 200: Intro to Historical Interpretation
This course is designed to help students acquire and practice the skills they will need in order to pursue advanced coursework in history. Each section is devoted to a different topic so you can choose the one that best suits your interests. (3 hours)
HIST 498: Research and Writing Seminar
Students will make history by researching and writing a work of original scholarship. Several of these seminars are offered each term and each focuses on a special topic, allowing students with similar interests to work through the process of gathering, interpreting, and organizing historical evidence under the direction of an expert in the field. (3 hours)
Area Distribution (18 hours)
Non-Western History
Two courses in either African, Asia, Global, Latin American, or Middle Eastern History. One course must be 300-level or above. (6 hours)
European History
At least two courses in European History. One must be 300-level or above. (6 hours)
US History
At least two courses in U.S. History, of which one must have a significant US minority focus. One must be 300-level or above. (6 hours)
Elective History (3 hours)
1 course of elective history coursework, 200-level or above.
History Advanced Hours
At least 15 hours of major core coursework must be at the 300- or 400-level (does not include Research and Discovery experience credit hours). Students complete 12 hours in required coursework. Three additional advanced hours can be selected by the student in consultation with an academic advisor.
Data Science Core (29-30 hours)
Mathematical Foundations (7-8 hours)
- Choose One Calculus- MATH 220: Calculus, MATH 221: Calculus I, or MATH 234: Calculus for Business I
- Choose one Linear Algebra-MATH 227: Linear Algebra for Data Science or MATH 257: Linear Algebra with Computational Applications
Data Science Fundamentals (12 hours)
- STAT 107: Data Science Discovery
- STAT 207: Data Science Exploration
- CS 307: Modeling and Learning in Data Science
Computational Fundamentals (4 hours)
- CS 277: Algorithms and Data Structures for Data Science
Social Impact in Data Science (6 hours)
- IS 467: Ethics and Policy for Data Science
- IS 477: Data Management, Curation & Reproducibility
Research or Discovery Experience (3 hours)
One of the most important skills a student will gain in the HIST + DS degree will be the ability to work with data in the context of historical discipline. A minimum of 3 credit hours of research or discovery experience is required. This can be achieved through one or more of the options listed below.
Option 1- HIST 399: Independent Study
Readings in selected fields in consultation with the instructor resulting in a 20-30 page paper or data science research project.
Option 2-HIST 493: Honors Senior Thesis
Two-term independent research and writing project under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Students enrolled in this course must submit a completed Honors Senior Thesis at the end of the second term for evaluation by the faculty advisor and a second reader.