Data Science Associate Degree | North Hennepin C.C.

The Data Science AS degree gives students the skills to analyze, procure, store, and process large amounts of data. The study of data science involves students dealing with data that comes from disparate sources in the modern context of the Internet, in various unstructured forms, and across academic disciplines.

Quick Facts

Overview

Data scientists require knowledge in a variety of information technology sub-fields, including algorithms, data structures, programming languages and statistical methods. While the field of data science is computer science centric, statistical and domain expertise is required. Accordingly, the data scientist may specialize in various fields, including business, physics, biology, finance, and economics.

Delivery Method: In-person, Hybrid

Important Links

Earn a bachelor's degree at NHCC

Data Science AS Curriculum PDF

Workforce Development Scholarship

Data Science Course Outlines and Descriptions

Free College Tuition - North Star Promise Scholarship

Time to Complete

The Data Science AS degree program can be completed in four semesters. Transferring credits into NHCC may result in the program taking less time. Taking classes on a part-time basis will require additional semesters.

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Costs

Tuition & Fees:
$210.86 per credit (60 credits)
$220.48 per fully online credit

Tuition Details

What You Will Learn

• How to empirically support business decisions and scientific research.

• How to properly interpret and communicate statistical measures.

• How to select relevant data for system development and analysis.

• How to properly assess and apply systems of algorithms, databases and third party software.

• Gain an understanding of the role of networked systems and their topologies for data analysis.

• How to develop algorithmic solutions using appropriate programming structures.

After NHCC

After completing the Data Science AS degree, students can join a fast-growing career field or transfer to a related bachelor's degree program.

NHCC's Data Science AS degree transfers seamlessly to the Data Science BS degree program at Metropolitan State University. For more information, visit the University Center.

The Field of Data Science

data science graphic showing overlapping disciplines

Data Science is a cross disciplinary field with applications across industries and fields of research. For example, you will find Data Science in the fields of finance, engineering, medicine, and physics, as well as in the social sciences. Analyzing data in such contexts with the tools of Data Science leads to meaning in context, or insight.

NHCC's tuition is among the most affordable in Minnesota.

Graph showing the costs of various colleges with NHCC as the lowest cost

Financial Aid

Scholarships are money you don't have to repay
Grants are money you don't have to repay

Free College Tuition

The North Star Promise scholarship program provides free college tuition to eligible students. Find out if you might be eligible.

Earn a $2,500 Scholarship!

In addition to NHCC scholarships, the college will be awarding $2,500 Workforce Development Scholarships that encourage and reward students pursuing high-demand occupations. Data Science is a high-demand field and Data Science students are eligible to apply for a $2,500 Workforce Development Scholarship.

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Program Roadmaps

Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.

Data Science Curriculum

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Curriculum

Print Curriculum

Program Courses
CSCI 1040 and
CSCI 1130 and
CSCI 2001 and
CSCI 2011 and
CSCI 2030 and
DSCI 2001 and
DSCI 2002
DSCI 2009

Program Electives
CSCI 1150 or
CSCI 1180 or
CSCI 2002 or
CSCI 2010 or
MATH 2000

General Education Courses
ENGL 1200 or
ENGL 1201 and
ENGL 1202 or
ENGL 1203 and
COMM 1010 and
ECON 1060 or
ECON 1070 and
MATH 1120 or
MATH 1150
MATH 1210

Natural Science - 1 lab course, 4 credits
Natural Science (Goal Area 3) Lab Courses
BIOL 1000 or
BIOL 1001 or
BIOL 1101 or
BIOL 1102 or
BIOL 1130 or
BIOL 1360 or
BIOL 2100 or
BIOL 2111 or
BIOL 2112 or
BIOL 2360 or
BIOL 2610 or
CHEM 1000 or
CHEM 1010 or
CHEM 1030 or
CHEM 1061 or
CHEM 1062 or
NSCI 1000 or
NSCI 1050 or
NSCI 1061 or
NSCI 1071 or
NSCI 1120 or
NSCI 1140 or
NSCI 1201 or
PHYS 1000 or
PHYS 1030 or
PHYS 1050 or
PHYS 1061 or
PHYS 1071 or
PHYS 1120 or
PHYS 1130 or
PHYS 1231 or
PHYS 1232 or
PHYS 1601 or
PHYS 1602

MnTC Electives
Electives from Goal Areas 6-10 (7 credits)

Total Credits Required

Program Overview

2024-2025

Data scientists require knowledge in a variety of information technology sub-fields, including algorithms, data structures, programming languages and statistical methods. While the field of Data Science is computer science centric, statistical and domain expertise is required. Accordingly, the data scientist may specialize in various fields, including business, physics, biology, finance and economics.

The Data Science AS gives students the skills to analyze, procure, store and process large amounts of data. The study of Data Science will have students dealing with data that comes from disparate sources in the modern context of the Internet, in various unstructured forms and across academic disciplines.

The Data Science AS Degree will Transfer/Articulate to:

Metropolitan State University for a Data Science BS Degree, which can be completed through NHCC's University Center.

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes:

After successfully completing this program, a student will be able to:

1. Empirically support business decisions and scientific research.
2. Properly interpret and communicate statistical measures.
3. Select relevant data for system development and analysis.
4. Apply general analytical models to specialized areas in other disciplines.
5. Derive meaning from data in relevant contexts.
6. Properly assess and apply systems of algorithms, databases and third party
software.
7. Understand the role of networked systems and their topologies for data analysis.
8. Determine appropriate resource allocations for solving data oriented problems.
9. Explain how data is procured, stored and analyzed.
10. Apply methods of data preparation such as parsing and normalization.
11. Interpret statistical parameters for understanding data in context.
12. Evaluate models of data analysis.
13. Develop algorithmic solutions using appropriate programming structures.

Program Maps

Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.

Career Opportunities

Information on careers, including career descriptions, salary data, and employment outlook is available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website and O*Net Online website.

Transfer Information

If you are planning on transferring to another institution, follow the guidelines available on our transfer resources web page to help you plan the process: Transfer Information

Degree Information

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is intended for students whose primary goal is to complete the credentials for a specific career and/or prepare for transfer to complete a bachelor's degree at a college or university with whom North Hennepin Community College has an articulation agreement. The A.S. degree provides a balance of general education courses and the required scientific, professional or technical courses in the degree program.

A student shall:

Earn a minimum of 60 semester credits as required in the program, with a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above in courses taken at North Hennepin Community College. Specific programs may have additional requirements or a higher minimum grade point average.

Earn a minimum of 15 semester credits at North Hennepin Community College. A student must complete at least 50% of career specific courses at North Hennepin Community College.

Earn 30 credits in at least 6 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) goal areas.

Earn 30 professional/technical credits.

Have four years to complete the graduation requirements as published in the catalog in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. Students taking more than four years to complete their graduation requirements may follow any catalog published during the four year period preceding their graduation.

Completion of an A.S. degree fulfills the Goal Area 2 requirement of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).

Developmental Courses Some students may need preparatory course(s) in Math and/or English. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a degree.

Equal Opportunity Employer and Disability Access Information North Hennepin Community College is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and an equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 7634930555 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 18006273529.

Accreditation

North Hennepin Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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