Data Analytics Champlain College

Overview

It's no secret that companies such as Netflix, Amazon, and Google have reshaped their industries using data and machine learning, by building recommendation systems that encourage us to watch, buy, or listen based on our previous choices. Similarly, nonprofits, non-governmental associations (NGOs), and social organizations have also used data for good, such as providing assistance with relief efforts after major earthquakes and helping prevent the spread of disease in impoverished countries.

You are at a unique position to be part of this change and lead it as a data scientist—interpreting big data to make brilliant, innovative decisions that will change how we live, work, play, and even how we save the world.

Data scientists require a unique set of qualities, including extraordinary curiosity, creative problem-solving, a love of new challenges, solid math and communication skills, and a strong interest in technology. The Data Analytics program from Champlain College does not require prior knowledge of programming, and includes extensive training that combines programming with statistics and communication. You'll graduate with a well-rounded data skill set as well as the creativity and ingenuity to solve hard problems and complex challenges in today's job market.

Upside-Down Curriculum

The Upside-Down Curriculum at Champlain College allows you to dig into fundamental data science and analytics, programming, and business courses beginning in your first semester. You'll work with large structured or unstructured data sets to find insights that will influence business decisions using important data.  You'll be able to obtain, clean, and process data as well as analyze and interpret data to ethically uncover hidden solutions to business-related challenges.

You'll also have hands-on experience using tools and writing programs to work with data and make predictions using statistics and machine learning methods—imperative for today's business intelligence professionals. And, with the variety of program electives available, you can customize your studies across a wide range of subjects to build your specialization in Data Science. 

The Data Science Experience

You'll study the most in-demand data analytics skills sought by employers—including machine learning and data mining in Python and SQL, statistics in SPSS, visualization in D3.js, geospatial analysis, and bioinformatics—and develop the ability to quickly acquire new programming languages as the workplace evolves. Within the Data Science major, you'll also learn basic business concepts such as economics, finances, and marketing, and how to effectively and clearly present ideas to targeted audiences and collaborate in groups on projects.

Data Science Students have explored how data science is applied in topics varying from social justice, such as analyzing if prisoners from different races, genders, and ages get equal sentences for the same crimes, to public safety, in which students looked into car recall data and discovered patterns showing that car manufacturers were actually aware of some deadly problems but failed to report them. Because the Data Science major integrates elements from multiple fields, you'll be able to use analytics and data science to explore these intersections in a unique learning environment. 

Study Abroad in Montreal or Dublin

We designed the curriculum of our majors to support a semester of international study, which means you can study in another country, or even complete an international internship, and still graduate on time with a B.S. in Data Science. You have the option to study abroad at one of the Champlain campuses in Montreal, Canada, or Dublin, Ireland. At both international campuses, students can explore the world of ethics in computer sciences with a Global Information & Ethics course or customize their program with a business or communication course. 

Alternatively, you can take a semester studying anywhere in the world through one of our third-party international study partners.  

Internships

Fundamental to the program are the relationships you'll develop with industry partners who will mentor you on projects during the academic year. We intentionally help you make these connections and get the real-world experience you need to be prepared for a data science internship as soon as the summer after your first year. Such experiential study allows you the chance to tap into your curiosity early on and prepare to make discoveries in the world of big data.