New Data Science Program Meets Demand for AI, Machine Learning Skills
ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 9, 2026) — The University at Albany has launched a new bachelor's degree in data science this fall, preparing students to meet growing demand for professionals with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics.
The new program through the Department of Mathematics & Statistics combines a strong mathematical foundation with training in statistics, programming, machine learning and data analysis. Students learn to use those skills to analyze complex datasets, build predictive models and address real-world problems.
The program emphasizes the mathematics underlying rapidly evolving technologies, with coursework in calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, computational thinking, optimization, statistical machine learning and topological data analysis.
Graduates will be prepared for careers including data analyst, junior data scientist and data engineer, as well as graduate study in related fields.
“Our new bachelor’s degree in data science gives students the mathematical foundation to understand data and use it to answer questions in both research and real-world settings,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Jeanette Altarriba. “Those skills can be applied across an extraordinary range of fields.”
“Data science is changing quickly, but the mathematics underlying it gives students a foundation they can continue to build on as technologies and tools evolve,” said Cristian Lenart, professor and chair of Mathematics & Statistics.
Exploring the mathematics behind data
Associate professors Justin Curry and Michael Lesnick developed courses that helped shape the new major, introducing students to computational thinking and geometric and topological approaches to data analysis.
Curry's coursework introduces students to programming tools such as Python, allowing them to explore mathematical concepts, simulate processes and identify patterns in data.
“Programming gives students a way to experiment with mathematical ideas, not just study them on paper,” said Curry. “They can build models, explore patterns and test different approaches. That hands-on experience prepares them to tackle problems they haven't encountered before.”
The connection between mathematical theory and real-world applications also comes into the classroom through courses such as Geometric and Topological Data Analysis, taught by Lesnick.
“This course is about probing the shape of data using mathematical and computational tools,” said Lesnick. “We cover a mix of theoretical foundations and practical data science methods.”
Students also have the opportunity to apply what they learn to real-world data analysis through optional projects based on their own interests, explained Lesnick.
“Past and current projects have included RNA folding, music informatics and neuroscience, among other topics,” he said.
Applying skills to real-world problems
Students complete the major with a hands-on capstone experience using real-world data. Depending on the course they choose, students can pursue a project in machine learning or topological data analysis, working through steps that include preparing data, developing and comparing models and evaluating results.
“We want students to graduate having done more than study the theory behind data science,” said Steven Plotnick, associate professor of mathematics and statistics and undergraduate program director. “By the time they complete the program, they will have experience working through the kinds of questions and challenges they are likely to encounter in a professional setting.”
The new undergraduate degree builds on UAlbany’s existing master’s program in data science, which enrolled 119 students in spring 2026 and has doubled in enrollment over the past five years. The Department of Mathematics & Statistics has also added six tenure-track faculty members with teaching and research expertise in data science during that period.
Several department faculty members have also received research funding through the UAlbany-IBM Center for Emerging Artificial Intelligence Systems, while new Assistant Professor Kent Vashaw joined UAlbany as a Simons Empire Faculty Fellow, supporting the University's new Neuromorphic Quantum Computing Constellation.
Demand for data scientists is expected to surge over the next decade, with employment projected to grow 35 percent from 2025 to 2035, far outpacing the 3 percent growth projected for all occupations. The median annual wage for data scientists was $120,230 in 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.