Department of Data Sciences

T. L. Wallace, Associate Professor and Academic Chair

The mission of the Department of Data Sciences at Lipscomb University is to enable the student to develop a basic understanding of and an appreciation for the burgeoning fields of data science and computational biology. The curriculum is designed to support the needs of those students who plan to enter graduate and professional schools, and those who plan data science or computational biology careers in business or industry. The department will encourage critical thinking skills and help students integrate a working knowledge from the various topics in computer science, mathematics, biology, and, information technology in order to achieve their career goals via an educational experience presented in the context of a Christian world view.

The department houses two academic programs: data science and computational biology. These programs provide a broad foundation for students interested in a range of topics and disciplines intersecting with data science and/or computational biology.

Career Opportunities May Include:

• Health-care roles in informatics, analytics, and data mining via computational data science

• Data science roles in business and industry, using predictive analytics, statistics, and big data

• Technological research in computational biology and/or bio-informatics with potential for preparation for MCAT via partnership with the Department of Biology

Program Educational Objectives

The  CCT expects that its data science department graduates will, within a few years of graduation:

1.  have professional careers in industry or academia or advance in graduate studies;

2.  apply knowledge and skills to solve problems effectively and efficiently, contributing to the technical advancement of the discipline;

3.  conduct themselves with integrity and incorporate proper ethical considerations in their work;

4.  continue to seek knowledge to thrive in an increasingly globalized society;

5.  effectively lead, work and communicate in cross functional multi-disciplinary teams;

6.  serve their communities and professions, whether locally, nationally, or globally.

Data Science

The B.S. in data science degree program focuses on the relationship between data, technology, and people. The program integrates courses in logical reasoning, computer programming, big data, data analytics, human- computer interaction and other skills that help students to put technology to better use. It has a mandatory internship requirement and students team up with classmates on capstone senior projects that showcase their skills to potential employers. Graduates from the program will be able to apply their tech knowledge to areas of interest –such as biology, business, environmental management, health care, telecommunications, sustainable practice and Web development-to create new uses for technology and the way people interact with it. They are adept at designing, refining and building information systems to extract knowledge from data. They are attuned to the needs that drive people to seek information. And, they understand the increasingly complex social and organizational environments in which people seek to fill their information needs-in theoretical, virtual and physical spaces. They are ambassadors for the transformative power of data when applied ethically and effectively. Internship requirements typically involve real-world experience with excellent local or national partners hosting active developments in data science. Data Science, B.S.  

Computational Biology

The Bachelor of Science in Computational Biology offers students the ability to explore the deep computational, mathematical modeling, simulation and big data aspects of biological science, drawing from courses in our existing biology, computer science and data science programs. This program is a perfect choice for students planning to pursue careers in any of the data-intensive biological sciences, or for those who seek to distinguish themselves in preparation for graduate studies in data science, medicine or biomolecular science. Students wishing to continue on to medical school should see their advisor for a list of additional recommended biology elective courses.  Computational Biology, B.S.  

Program of Study Requirements

• Computational Biology, B.S.
• Data Science, B.S.

• Data Science Minor