Most modern businesses depend on data analysis to inform decisions and measure strategic growth and performance. A mastery of data analytics will position you to excel in a wide variety of positions that require predictive modeling, visualization and data management.
Program Overview
Harness the strategic power of data analytics.
Data analytics is an interdisciplinary field that involves learning the techniques of data analysis and the context in which the data are generated. The Data Analytics minor teaches the quantitative skills, computational fluency and leadership abilities you’ll need to thrive in growing fields like professional, scientific and technical services, finance and insurance.
The dynamic blend of coursework will teach you how to build models to discover relationships between data and questions, analyze models and visualize data to discover hidden patterns and communicate these patterns to others. Unique to Western Colorado University, the Data Analytics curriculum is designed to deliver immersive educational opportunities including group work and learning how to present analytical findings.
Analyzing the data
The Data Analytics minor teaches the quantitative skills, computational fluency and leadership abilities needed to thrive in almost every industry.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
The Data Analytics Minor consists of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 213 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| or ECON 216 | Statistics for Business and Economics | |
| CS 190 | Computer Science I | 3 |
| ECON 202 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| MATH 260 | Applied Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 313 | Statistical Modeling and Simulation | 3 |
| ECON 316 | Econometrics | 3 |
| CS 303 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Careers
Take the first steps toward your dream career.
Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.
The data is automatically collected by Lightcast, a firm that sources job market data. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your scholarships!Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Access to apply for scholarships through the portal is open through April 1.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your scholarships!Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Get Involved
Take advantage of everything Western Colorado University has to offer.
A college education is more than just taking courses. Meet new people, apply your skills, and stretch beyond your comfort zone. Make your education an experience.
- Conferences: Students and faculty travel to two conferences each year.
- Seminars: Faculty show what they have been working on and students present their research projects.
- Tutoring Jobs: Available to students interested in teaching others and mastering basic principles.
Quantitative skills
A mastery of data analytics will position you to excel in a variety of in-demand positions that require predictive modeling, visualization and data management.
News & Research
Department Information
Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering
Program Director
Jenifer Blacklock, Ph.D.Director of the Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program
Department Chair
Jeremy Muskat, Ph.D.Chair of the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
Campus Location
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231