The new data science major builds on Oregon State’s long-standing strengths in statistics, mathematics and computer science, while connecting those tools to real-world applications across the sciences, economics and environmental studies. Administered through the Department of Statistics, the program reflects years of collaboration among faculty across campus.
Rather than duplicating existing degrees, this major complements them. It is designed as both a standalone program and a strong pairing with other fields, allowing students to deepen disciplinary expertise while gaining advanced quantitative and computational skills.
Students can pursue a general data science degree or select from several interdisciplinary options that connect quantitative skills with focused areas of study. These include advanced data science, economics, environmental economics and policy, life science and psychological science.
“Data is always growing. It’s not something that is ever going to go away,” said Erin Howard, senior instructor I in the Department of Statistics. “And so, whatever field students might be interested in, there’s a place for data science.”
Demand for data-literate professionals continues to grow across nearly every sector, including healthcare, technology, government, business and environmental science. National workforce projections show data-related careers growing much faster than average, underscoring the importance of graduates who can interpret complex information and communicate it clearly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 34% growth from 2024 to 2034.
A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on responsible data use. Courses address not only technical proficiency, but also issues of bias, equity and communication. This prepares graduates to work with data in ways that serve the public good.
That approach aligns closely with Oregon State’s mission as a land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant university, where research and teaching are deeply connected to community needs. Faculty across the College of Science already apply data science to challenges such as sustainable resource management, health outcomes and economic resilience; the new major creates a clear academic pathway for students to join that work.
The data science major is initially available on the Corvallis campus, with plans to expand online through Ecampus. Its launch represents both a response to current demand and a signal of where the College of Science is headed, toward deeper collaboration, broader impact and education that reflects the realities of modern science.
For more information about the major, visit the College of Science website.
