Beginning in Fall 2021, Guilford College will offer a Bachelor of Science in Analytics. This rapidly expanding field is one of the fastest-growing occupations through 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“We are very excited to offer this opportunity to our students — and to get ahead of many liberal arts colleges in doing so. With Guilford’s long tradition of excellence in practical liberal arts, I believe we will prepare excellent analysts who are not only skilled but also inquisitive, creative, and ethical.”
Data analytics is a broad range of techniques utilized by various commercial industries and government agencies for identification of future outcomes based on dynamics of historical data. Data analysts provide informational and analytical support to decision-makers and can be employed in practically any setting.
“We are very excited to offer this opportunity to our students — and to get ahead of many liberal arts colleges in doing so,” says Associate Professor of Economics Natalya Shelkova. “With Guilford’s long tradition of excellence in practical liberal arts, I believe we will prepare excellent analysts who are not only skilled but also inquisitive, creative, and ethical.”
Analytics is a rapidly growing field with highly rewarding employment opportunities. Depending on their area of disciplinary expertise or interest, graduates may apply for a variety of positions that require skills in data analysis. Alternatively, graduates of the analytics program can continue their education by pursuing an advanced degree in related fields.
Yves Dusenge ’17, a native of Rwanda who double majored in Mathematics and Economics, started the College’s thinking about designing a major that would overlap economics, mathematics, and computer science, Natalya explains. Additionally, Economics major Benjamin Diamond ’20 is currently pursuing a Master’s of Business Analytics degree at Wake Forest University. The College also has a number of successful alums already working as analysts in banking, finance, and research organizations, Natalya adds.
The 48-credit interdisciplinary major features classes from a number of disciplines, including Economics, Mathematics, Philosophy, and Computing Technology and Information Systems (CTIS). Analytics majors will receive an ethics foundation plus a balance of courses from the fore-mentioned departments, plus other relevant courses from across campus. A disciplinary minor, a second major, or an approved IE — which is short for Integrative Experience, Guilford’s unique student-designed minor — is required for the Analytics major.
“There are many problems our world is facing right now that data analysis can help solve, whether using ‘big data’ or ‘small data,’” Natalya says. “By using data, businesses can optimize their resource allocation and design products that are wanted by customers, produced in cost-effective ways, and delivered when needed. Governments of all levels can also use analytics for project planning, allocating resources, and improving the lives of their citizens, from distributing vaccines to planning public transportation and development.”
This fall, Guilford is offering a new course, “Analytics for Business and Government” (Econ/Math 328). In addition, students can apply the following existing courses also offered in the fall to the new Analytics major: MATH 241 Scientific Computing; PHYS 250 Machine Learning; MATH 112 Elementary Statistics; CTIS 210 Introduction to Computer Programming; CTIS 243 Management Information Systems; and CTIS 342 Database Systems. Students who have already taken courses required for the new major may use them toward its completion.
“We already have a student who is doing just that,” Natalya says. “Marisabel Guzman ’23, a member of the Honors Program majoring in Business and Psychology, says she plans to add Analytics as her third major. We are very excited to welcome a new cohort of bright and determined students.”