Data Science

Career opportunities

A Ph.D. in data science from Bowling Green State University puts you at the forefront of some of the most exciting and lucrative career opportunities in the field of computer science. 

A doctorate in data science primarily prepares you for one of two paths – academia or industry. 

Data scientists with doctoral credentials for research and teaching roles are in high demand at universities across the country as the popularity of the master’s degree in data science has soared. 

In public and private industry, those with a data science Ph.D. are needed as leaders in applied innovation.

Our curriculum prepares doctoral candidates for careers in which they may:

• Develop machine learning models that can predict outcomes with unprecedented accuracy
• Explore uncharted territories in artificial intelligence and big data 
• Contribute to ethical solutions that mitigate algorithmic bias and promote societal equity
• Guide the next generation of curious, resilient and ethical data scientists 

While graduates with a data science master’s degree are able to understand and utilize data science, doctoral students are ready to take the reins of leadership.

Curriculum

At its core, data science is about making sense of the world’s chaos. As one of the best Ph.D. data science programs in the country, the Department of Computer Science at BGSU prioritizes exceptional technical skill and moral philosophy in its curriculum. 

On the technical side, computer science and statistics instructors teach students superior competency in core data science concepts and techniques. This includes analysis of structured, unstructured and dynamic data sets. 

Doctoral students learn how to:

• Organize data using tools appropriate to the problem
• Code new techniques in the appropriate computer language
• Optimize performance and scalability
• Distribute new tools in a usable form 

Given the growth and scale at which data science models are now applied and their many impacts on everyday life, ethical decision-making and clear communication are vital for practitioners in the field. Our Ph.D. in data science curriculum was specifically designed to identify and respond to ethical concerns of how and where complex data analysis is used. 

Our graduates are experts in analytical method principles, as well as how best to convey the strengths and limitations of each to technical and non-technical audiences.

Culminating experience

Doctoral students must register for a minimum of 16 hours in Dissertation Research. 

Required courses

Admissions prerequisites 

The BGSU Ph.D. data science program builds on prerequisite coursework, including differential, integral and multivariate calculus, linear algebra and senior-level introduction to probability and statistics. Excellent skills in programming languages such as C, C++, Java and Python, as well as understanding of data structures and computer algorithms are also required. 

Doctoral candidates ideally have a master’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or a closely related field. Those admitted without sufficient background experience may be asked to complete the M.S. in data science program first. 

Additional requirements include three letters of recommendation, resume and a statement of purpose. 

See the admissions process and application requirements for more details.