Business + Data Science, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Business plus Data Science


This major is sponsored by the Department of Business Administration within the Gies College of Business, in collaboration with the iSchool and the Departments of Statistics, Computer Science, and Mathematics. The Business+Data Science major is designed for students seeking to supplement their business specialization foundations with a strong background in data science. The major prepares students for professional and graduate work while involving a particular distinction with respect to analytics.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Business plus Data Science


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 124 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by ECON 102 and ECON 103
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: U.S. Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15
Business Core42
ACCY 201Accounting and Accountancy I3
ACCY 202Accounting and Accountancy II3
BADM 275Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management3
BADM 300The Legal Environment of Bus3
BADM 310Mgmt and Organizational Beh3
BADM 320Principles of Marketing3
BADM 449Business Policy and Strategy3
BUS 101Professional Responsibility and Business3
BUS 201Business Dynamics3
BUS 401Crafting Your Purpose in Business3
CMN 101Public Speaking3
ECON 102Microeconomic Principles3
ECON 103Macroeconomic Principles3
FIN 221Corporate Finance3
Data Science Core29-30
STAT/CS/IS 107Data Science Discovery4
STAT 207Data Science Exploration4
CS 307Modeling and Learning in Data Science4
CS 277Algorithms and Data Structures for Data Science4
IS 467Ethics and Policy for Data Science3
IS 477Data Management, Curation & Reproducibility3
Choose one Calculus:4-5
Calculus
Calculus I
Calculus for Business I
Choose one Linear Algebra:3
Linear Algebra for Data Science
Linear Algebra with Computational Applications
Business Administration Specialization (choose one of the four specializations below)12
Information Systems Specialization:
BADM 350IT for Networked Organizations3
BADM 351Social Media Strategy3
BADM 352Database Design and Management3
BADM 353Info Sys Analysis and Design3
International Business Specialization:
BADM 380International Business3
BADM 381Multinational Management3
BADM 382International Marketing3
BADM 383Topics in International Business3
Management Specialization:
BADM 311Leading Individuals and Teams3
BADM 312Designing and Managing Orgs3
BADM 313Strategic Human Resource Management3
BADM 314Leading Negotiations3
Operations Management Specialization:
BADM 374Management Decision Models3
BADM 375Operations Strategy3
BADM 377Project Management3
BADM 379Business Process Improvement3

 Meaningful Research or Discovery Experience 

One of the most important skills a student will gain in a BUS+ DS degree will be the ability to present data in meaningful ways. A meaningful research and experience is as much a pillar of this degree program as both the core coursework and the area of specialization. This capstone experience can be fulfilled through BUS 301. This course is an active learning, real-client experience that will allow students to join their data science skills with their business skills.
Total Hours3

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Business plus Data Science


Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
BUS 1013ECON 1033
ECON 1023MATH 234 (or MATH 220 or MATH 221)4
STAT 1074FIN 2213
Composition I or CMN 1014CMN 101 (or Composition I)3
Language Other than English (3rd level)4General Education course3
 18 16
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
BUS 2013ACCY 2023
ACCY 2013MATH 227 or 2573
BADM 3103BADM 3203
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
 15 15
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
BUS 3013CS 2774
BADM 2753IS 4673
STAT 2074BADM Specialization3
BADM 3003General Education course3
BADM Specialization3General Education course3
 16 16
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
BUS 4013BADM 4493
CS 3074IS 4773
BADM Specialization3BADM Specialization3
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3 
 16 12
Total Hours 124

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Business plus Data Science


The learning objectives related to student learning outcomes includes competence in selected concentration, data science, critical thinking, group work, communication. These outcomes are mapped to questions concerning student ability to use data analytics and problem solving to effectively understand real-world business issues, problem analysis and articulating conclusions, assuming leadership roles, grasp of international complexities effect business and data science.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Business plus Data Science


Gies College of Business
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1055 Business Instructional Facility
515 East Gregory Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-2740

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