The historic Dallas Hall at SMU is home to Dedman College and the B.S. Data Science program.

Undergraduate programs

Data science

B.S.

Minor

Overview

Today’s world is data-driven. Data science emphasizes the use of data to describe and understand the world around us. It applies ideas and methods from statistics, computer science and optimization to find innovative solutions to important problems in many areas. Graduates that combine data science knowledge with fields like management science, humanities, social sciences or engineering are in high demand. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the study of data science, students are required to take another major in any discipline.

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

11:1

Undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio

90+

Undergraduate majors at Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

Transfer students

Everything transfer students need to know about admission requirements.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Additional links

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition and financial aid

2 out of 3 first-year students are awarded grants and/or scholarships with an average total of $38,598.

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for undergraduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

STAT 3341

Statistical Learning via Sports Analytics

Contains modules on ethical web scraping, data visualization, and model building.

STAT 3312

Categorical Data Analysis

Examines techniques for analyzing data that are described by categories or classes.

STAT 3366

Applied Regression Analysis and Data Visualization

Learning applied regression methods (multiple regression, logistic regression, log-linear models, and generalized linear models) to analyze real-world datasets.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

Student success

The SMU Department of Statistics and Data Science is a nationally recognized department with a history of producing outstanding, highly marketable graduates and being at the forefront of statistical research and innovation.

Student stories

Anekah Kelley highly recommended the Bachelor of Science in Data Science from SMU.

Anekah Kelley ’26

“Even with my background in computer science, the data science degree has expanded my skills, particularly in analytical programming, statistical testing and experimental design.  I would highly recommend the program to other students, regardless of coding experience – data analysis is increasingly critical across disciplines, and earning a strong foundation sets you apart in the job market.”

Faculty

The department faculty are widely recognized for their expertise in applying statistical science in very diverse settings including clinical trials, air pollution, medical imagery, census adjustment, educational testing and genetics. 

This is a carousel with rotating cards. Use the previous and next buttons to navigate, and Enter to activate cards.

Jing Cao, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor
steven chiou portrait

Steven Chiou

Assistant Professor
Ashley Edison

Ashley Edison

Lecturer

Niloofar Ghorbani, Ph.D.

Lecturer

Ian Harris

Ian Richard Harris, Ph.D.

Associate Professor Director of Undergraduate Studies
Dan heitjan portrait

Daniel F. Heitjan, Ph.D.

Professor

Marcin Jurek

Assistant Professor

Danhyang Lee

Assistant Professor

Monnie McGee, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Chul moon portrait

Chul Moon

Associate Professor Director of Graduate Studies
Stephen robertson

Stephen Robertson, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer II Director of Data Science and Applied Statistics Master's Program

David Saah, Ph.D.

Lecturer

Bivin Sadler

Clinical Assistant Professor
Charles south

Charles South, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Practice and Director of the SMU Statistical Consulting Center
Raanju Ragavendar Sundararajan

Raanju R. Sundararajan

Associate Professor

Jonathan Thompson

Assistant Director, Masters Programs and Department Administrator

Jessica Wickersham

Lecturer

Facilities

The historic Dallas Hall on the SMU campus is the home of Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

Dallas Hall

A 57,687-square-foot facility utilized by Dedman College as both academic and office space.

Heroy Hall hosts classes for the Master of Science in Data Science and Applied Statistics at SMU.

Heroy Hall

Hosts the Department of Earth Sciences; the Institute for the Study of Earth and Man; and the Statistical Science, Anthropology and Sociology departments.

Request more info about this program

Request more info about the B.S. in data science program

Loading...

Frequently asked questions

The SMU Department of Statistics and Data Science prepares students for a booming job market. The explosion of data from devices such as sensors, cell phones and medical instruments, as well as from business processes, surveys and social media, has created an accelerating demand for specialists who are trained in data collection and analysis.

As a result, the field of statistics will be increasingly more fundamental to academia, business, and government in order to accommodate the escalating dependence on data-driven decisions.

Graduates who combine data science knowledge with fields like management science, humanities, social sciences or engineering are in high demand. Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 34 percent from now to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Many data scientists work in computer systems, insurance carriers, scientific or technical consulting, or research and development fields. They are also employed across finance, health care, government, energy and technology sectors where data-driven decision-making is critical.

Cyber security is a major field for data scientists, as well as machine learning and cloud computing, according to Indeed. Graduates may pursue roles such as data analyst, machine learning engineer, business intelligence analyst or quantitative analyst, applying statistical modeling and computational tools to solve complex, real-world problems.

At a high level, data science majors learn to collect, analyze and interpret data, applying methods and ideas from statistics, computer science and optimization to find innovative solutions to myriad problems.

The curriculum is designed to serve students seeking careers in industry, government and business, as well as those preparing for graduate study in statistical science.

While there is no consensus on what is different between statistics and data science, broadly speaking, data science puts an emphasis on algorithmic solutions to problems involving uncertainty, whereas statistics puts a greater emphasis on mathematical solutions to solve problems involving uncertainty. Computer science, however, is the study of computation, algorithms and data, focusing on creating efficient software and systems.

The median annual wage for data scientists was $112,590 in May 2024.

Related programs