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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

Data Science

The OBU data science program is an interdisciplinary field of study that incorporates computer science, statistics, mathematics, business, and social sciences. 

The goal of a data science degree is to equip students with the skills needed to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate data findings and turn it into actionable knowledge. Mastering these highly specialized skills prepares OBU graduates for roles in fields such as business analytics, research, healthcare, finance, and technology.

Ally Ryan

Class of 2026

OBU is a place filled with professors who challenge, encourage, and invest in the students on this campus both spiritually and academically. Data science allows exercise in critical thinking when it comes to data and the conclusions they bring. While now working as an intern, I can confidently say that the content and skills I am learning translate into the business world.

Benefits of OBU's Data Science Degree

Advanced Learning and Growth

Data science includes the use of scientific methods, algorithms, and systems to extract insights and knowledge from structured and unstructured data. It combines aspects of mathematics, statistics, computer science, and domain-specific expertise to analyze data and make informed decisions or predictions. Students in this program learn to responsibly collect, manage, and use data to discover ideas, make decisions, solve comlex problems, think critically, and communicate effectively.

Faith-Integrated Curriculum

As a Christian liberal arts university, OBU is dedicated to the pursuit of raising up the next generation of technology professionals with the knowledge and experience needed to begin their career, and with the virtues and ethics necessary to bring about positive change in the world.

Guided by a biblical worldview, professors in this program serve as personal mentors and role models.  You will gain extensive data science knowledge alongside a unique OBU community experience, individualized instruction,  as well as practical, and project-based course work.

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else!

Program Information

Robust and Specialized Classes

As a student in data science you will be exposed to foundational courses such as introduction to programming (Python), database program development, advanced data science, software engineering, software development project, computational statistics and linear algebra. Specialized data science courses include principles of accounting, introduction to business finance, introduction to management science, introduction to marketing analytics and web intelligence.

Practical, Project-Based Course Work

Our goal is to teach you how to  apply data science techniques to analyze real-world problems as opposed to being able to answer multiple-choice questions . Although a small percentage of a student’s grade will come from short quizzes over assigned reading for the day, most of the grade is based on open-ended lab work and projects where students apply what is learned in the classroom to real data.

Project work is not just a “large homework problem,” but includes the practical skills for solving real-world problems. This includes instruction on data science methodologies, and data analytics tools and libraries such as Jupyter notebooks and Python machine learning libraries

Internships

Paid internships in the data science field are a valuable extension to what you learn in the classroom. Internships provide you with relevant and real-world experience. They can help you explore what types of data science work you are interested in and increase your depth of learning. 

OBU faculty work closely with contacts in their professional network to obtain internships for students who are interested and qualified. 

Professional Networking Opportunities

Lydia’s Lamp

Lydia’s Lamp offers a unique opportunity for female students in the School of Business to enhance their future careers through connection, mentorship and knowledge. Founded in 2017, the program connects students with female business mentors who will help guide them through their time at OBU. The program can help build lasting relationships that go beyond their time at OBU and further prepare students for the workforce.

Elijah’s Mantle

This year-long mentoring program will pair you with a businessperson so you can make a meaningful connection in the business world. Elijah's Mantle is an opportunity for male students to connect with industry professionals and receive mentorship and guidance that will enhance their future careers. The program often includes business professionals from various areas of specialty who, in many cases, are OBU alumni.

Board of Executives

The Paul Dickinson School of Business has a Board of Executives that assures our curriculum remains relevant to industry and provides networking opportunities for you.

Leadership and Service

A vital leadership opportunity for business majors and minors is Collegiate DECA. This student club prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA allows students to enhance their business skills and grow as a leader while networking with college university students  and business professionals from around the world. OBU students compete in regional and national competitions through DECA intersecting all functional areas of business.

Job Opportunities and Outcomes

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientist positions will continue to be among the fastest-growing jobs in the future. The projected increase in job openings from 2022 to 2032 is 35%.

A degree in data science can lead to a variety of employment avenues including:

  • Data Engineer
  • Business Analyst
  • Business Intelligence
  • Database Architect
  • Data Visualization
  • Statistician
  • Database Developer
  • Quantitative Analyst

Program Options

Bachelor of Science (BS)


Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. David Houghton

Dr. David Houghton

Chair, School of Business
Lloyd G. and Betty E. Minter Chair of Business
Professor of Business
Director, MBA Program

Dr. Timothy Darr

Dr. Timothy Darr

Lawrence Peitz Chair of Business
Assistant Professor of Computer Information Science

Paul Dickinson School of Business