University of Florida Data Science Degrees
The University of Florida appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Data Science.
The statistics major at The University of Florida is a 120 credit hour program that is offered as a B.A. for students wishing to pursue a career in the field or as a B.S. for those who anticipate moving on to data science-related graduate programs. A combined bachelor’s/master’s program is also available for students who excel in their coursework.
The Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management provides students with an understanding of big data which has become increasingly important for business growth. The program is available as a traditional master’s degree or as a combined degree that earns the student a Bachelor of Science as well as a Master of Science. Students can choose three tracks for the degree, including Business Intelligence & Analytics, Information Technology, and Supply Chain Management. The Business Intelligence & Analytics program provides essential skills in business and analytics. Students learn to extract insights from data that can be used to positively impact the company and reveal information on customers. They are provided information on how to use cutting-edge techniques to not only analyze data and create managerial plans that are effective. Courses required for the Business Intelligence & Analytics track include:
- Advanced Business Programming (C++)
- Advanced Business Systems Design & Development I & II
- Business Database Systems I & II
- Business Intelligence
- Business Telecom Strategy and Applications I & II
- Data Mining for Business Intelligence
- Electronic Commerce and Logistics
- Intermediate Business Programming (Java)
- Managerial Quantitative Analysis I & II
- Professional Communications
- Professional Writing
- Project Management
- Statistical Analysis for Managerial Decisions
The program has a 100 percent placement rate after graduation. Graduates have found positions as IT Managers, Data Analysts, Information Systems Specialists and other positions that focus on data.
About the University of Florida
James Roper, an educator, moved from North Carolina to Gainesville to open the Gainesville Academy in 1858. His was not the only institute of higher learning in Florida, however, as the Florida Territorial Legislature established the West Florida Seminary and the East Florida Seminary in 1851. The East Florida Seminary opened in Ocala but closed due to the Civil War.
Roper offered the Academy and its land to the state if they would relocate a seminary at the location. This led the state to incorporate parts of the seminary with Gainesville Academy. In 1884, the Florida Agricultural College was established in Lake City, the first land-grant school in the state. The year before, the state legislature merged the West Florida Seminary with Tallahassee College of Medicine to create Florida University. Despite the fact that the state recognized the new University, no funding was provided so the school struggled financially. One year later, the medical college relocated to Jacksonville and the school never adopted the Florida University name.
The designation of the Tallahassee school was repealed in 1903 and the name University of Florida was given to the Florida Agricultural College. In 1905, the University of Florida System was reorganized and four schools, including the University of Florida in Lake City, East Florida Seminary, the St. Petersberg Normal and Industrial School and the South Florida Military College.
US News & World Report ranks the University of Florida among the top 20 universities in the country and it is ranked first among AAU institutions for the number of master’s degrees offered and second for the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students. It is one of the top ten universities for recruiting employees according to many companies in the country and the school generates more than $700 million in research awards.
University of Florida Accreditation Details
The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Accreditation allows students to receive federal financial aid as the school meets or exceeds criteria set forth by the Association that indicates they offer outstanding educational programs. The Association periodically reviews the school to be sure they continue to have the resources to meet their goals and objectives. In addition, programs throughout the University are accredited by the following agencies:
- Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
- American Council for Construction Education
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Education for Public Health
University of Florida Application Requirements
There are no prerequisites to apply for the Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management, although students who have not earned an undergraduate degree in business may need to take a set of core business courses that may add an additional semester to the program. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Three letters of recommendation are required along with a resume and statement of purpose. Applicants must complete a graduate application and provide all documents in an online format. Official GRE scores are also required.
The deadline for applying for fall attendance is June 1 and for spring attendance it is October 1. International students may have different deadlines and admissions requirements.
The University of Florida Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time tuition for the Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations is $12,740 per semester.
Graduate students are expected to cover the cost of their tuition as the Information Systems and Operation Department at the University of Florida does not provide funding to master’s level students. Combined degree students may obtain Florida Bright Futures Scholarships or Florida Prepaid which will cover the cost of any undergraduate courses needed for the degree but will not cover the cost of master’s level courses. Graduate students are eligible for federal student loans and must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify. It is possible that some graduate students may be offered assistantships or fellowships to offset the cost of tuition.
For over 100 years, the University of Florida has been providing students with an outstanding education. Many programs are offered in an online format that makes it easier for non-traditional students to achieve higher education goals.
Related Resources:
- Are Data Science Degrees Expensive?
- How Do I Know if Data Science is a Good Degree Path for Me?
- How Useful is a Data Science Degree?
- 5 Signs of an Innovative Data Science Degree Program
- 20 Best Data Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs
- 30 Best Master’s in Data Science Online Degree Programs