The Science: Computational and Data Science Major is designed for students who wish to pursue a four-year degree in mathematics, statistical research, decision science, data analytics, or data science. The specialization prepares students with core knowledge and skills needed for entry into baccalaureate schools of education programs in mathematics or data science.
Program Information and Curriculum
Science Degree, AS - Computational & Data Science Major
Program Description/Purpose: The computational and data science major is designed for students who wish to pursue a four-year degree in mathematics, statistical research, decision science, data analytics, or data science. The major prepares students with the core knowledge and skills needed for entry into baccalaureate schools of education programs in mathematics or data science.
Occupational Outcomes: Students who complete the program major can apply for junior/entry-level roles such as research analysts, data technicians, healthcare analysts, research statisticians, and other data science-related roles. Many employers will hire students at the junior level who have completed their associate degree with the understanding that candidates will complete additional study through the pursuit of a four-year degree.
Career paths for students who pursue this degree are broad and can vary based on the sector of interest (government, environmental studies, transportation, healthcare, etc.). Students with a data science education are highly sought after, and their skill sets are integral in most industries.
Examples of job titles for data science trained individuals include but are not limited to:
- Data Scientist
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Data Engineer
- Statistician
- Data Analyst
- Data Journalist
- Research Scientist
- Public Health Informaticist
- Data Visualization Expert
- Business Intelligence Developer
- Artificial Intelligence Analyst
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will apply the properties of graph theory to model and gather insights for an authentic (real-world) situation or problem.
- Students will acquire proficiency in the use of transformations of matrices in solving a variety of abstract and applied problems.
- Students will manipulate data, make inferences, and summarize findings of analysis concisely in both graphical and written format.
- Below is the recommended course sequence for full-time students.
- Courses are listed by the semester they are usually offered.
- Course availability in a given semester may vary.
- You can change the order or number of classes each semester, but taking fewer classes in a semester will mean more semesters to finish the program.
- Please discuss your plan including elective selection with your advisor to ensure it meets your academic goals.
- Students who complete this degree will also complete and be awarded the Uniform Certificate of General Studies.
It is highly recommended that students consult with their academic advisor to select the most appropriate course for their curriculum and/or transferability to another college.
Fall Semester
- SDV 100 - College Success Skills OR
- SDV 101 - College Success Skills 1 cr
- ENG 111 - College Composition I
- MTH 263 - Calculus I 1
- CSC 221 - Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming
- BIO 101 - General Biology I OR 2
- CHM 111 - General Chemistry I 2 OR
- PHY 201 - General College Physics I 2 OR
- PHY 241 - University Physics I 2
Spring Semester
Fall Semester
- MTH 245 - Statistics I 1
- MTH 266 - Linear Algebra OR
- MTH 288 - Discrete Mathematics
- Arts or Humanities elective selected from the list below 3 cr.
- History elective selected from the list below 3 cr.
- CSC 110 - Principles of Computer Science OR
- ITE 152 - Introduction to Digital Literacy and Computer Applications
Spring Semester
- CST 100 - Principles of Public Speaking OR
- CST 110 - Introduction to Human Communication
- MTH 298 - Seminar and Project
- Literature elective selected from the list below 3 cr.
- Social and Behavioral Science elective selected from the list below 3 cr.
- MTH 246 - Statistics II
Program Total: 60 Credits
1 Students who have not met the requirements for enrollment into
2 Some 4-year schools require
Arts Electives
History Electives
Humanities Electives
- HUM 201 - Early Humanities
- HUM 202 - Modern Humanities
- HUM 216 - Introduction to Non-Western Cultures
- HUM 256 - Comparative Mythology
- HUM 259 - The Greek and Roman Tradition
- PHI 100 - Introduction to Philosophy
- PHI 111 - Logic
- PHI 220 - Ethics and Society
- REL 100 - Introduction to the Study of Religion
- REL 230 - Religions of the World
Literature Electives
Social and Behavioral Science Electives
- ECO 150 - Economic Essentials: Theory and Application
- ECO 201 - Principles of Macroeconomics
- ECO 202 - Principles of Microeconomics
- GEO 210 - People & the Land: Introduction to Cultural Geography
- GEO 220 - World Regional Geography
- PLS 135 - U.S. Government and Politics
- PLS 241 - Introduction to International Relations
- PSY 200 - Principles of Psychology
- SOC 200 - Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 268 - Social Problems
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Department of Labor Links:
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Transfer Statement
The associate of arts and sciences (AA&S) and associate of science (AS) degrees are designed to provide freshman and sophomore level course work toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree. These programs require students to take essentially the same courses as required by their four-year college or university counterparts.
To help facilitate the transfer process, Laurel Ridge has created a Transfer webpage that provides detailed information such as tuition, GPA, application requirements, course equivalents, and other information that may be useful in the transfer process.
The Virginia Community College System also offers a Transfer Planning Tool through the Virginia Education Wizard.
Laurel Ridge offers many services and programs to assist transfer students. Students are encouraged to seek the assistance of an advisor to gain additional information to plan a successful transfer experience.
- GMU- Computational & Data Science: https://science.gmu.edu/academics/departments-units/computational-data-sciences or Statistics: https://volgenau.gmu.edu/program/view/433887
- Radford – Decision Science: https://www.radford.edu/content/csat/home/itec.html#decision-science or Statistics: https://www.radford.edu/content/csat/home/math/degrees/stats-concentration.html
- Shenandoah University – Mathematics: http://catalog.su.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=11&poid=1496&returnto=702
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