Behavioral and Social Data Science, Psychology (BSBSDS)
This program is designed for students interested in understanding, classifying, and predicting human behavior, emotions, and intentions. This major offers interdisciplinary training at the intersection of data analytics and human behavior. Students will think creatively and critically about the prediction of human behavior and how to work with a variety of data types, such as physiology, neuroimaging, language, and/or health-related outcomes. Students are also trained in experimental design and ethics, enabling them to evaluate new research findings and communicate their findings in written and oral presentations.
What distinguishes this major from related majors is that it provides significant training in the analysis and understanding of human behavior – at the level of the individual, social group and society. Students who successfully complete this program will develop a technical toolkit to tackle the most ambitious problems involving human behavior and help create the next-generation data science workforce. Training will be offered in the curation, visualization, analysis, and ethical treatment of real-world data using programming languages including R and python.
The program is designed to prepare graduates primarily for entry level data science careers in industry, although positions in other settings, such as government, nonprofit agencies, universities and other research settings, may also be appropriate.
Total Hours Required: 120
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| PSY 301 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SDS 302F | Foundations of Data Analysis | 3 |
| Natural Science and Technology, Part I (030) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Natural Science and Technology, Part I (030) | 3 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| PSY 317L | Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| Natural Science and Technology, Part II (093) | 3 | |
| M 408K or M 408C |
Differential Calculus or Differential and Integral Calculus |
4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Natural Science and Technology, Part II (093) | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| PSY 371E | Psychological Data Science Foundations I | 3 |
| Foreign Language other than English, Intermediate Proficiency | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PSY 371F | Psychological Data Science Foundations II | 3 |
| Natural Science and Technology, Part II (093) | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Intermediate Proficiency | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| PSY 420M | Psychological Methods and Statistics | 4 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Multicultural/Diversity/Inclusion course | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Additional Math or Science | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Additional Social Science (may not also be counted toward Core Curriculum) | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division | 3 | |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Cultural Expression, Human Experience, and Thought (may not also be counted toward Core Curriculum) | 3 | |
| Natural Science and Technology, Part I (030) | 4 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | ||
| PSY 301 | Introduction to Psychology (with a grade of at least C) | 3 |
| PSY 317L | Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (with a grade of at least C) | 3 |
| OR | ||
| R Programming for Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PSY 371E | Psychological Data Science Foundations I | 3 |
| PSY 371F | Psychological Data Science Foundations II | 3 |
| PSY 420M | Psychological Methods and Statistics (with a grade of at least C; must be taken in residence) | 4 |
| Multicultural/diversity/inclusion in the behavioral sciences | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Diversity in Cognitive Aging | ||
| Multicultural Psychotherapy | ||
| Behavioral Science, Equity, and Inclusion | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division PSY with PSY 420M as a prerequisite | 12 | |
| Mathematics and Natural Science | ||
| M 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| or M 408K | Differential Calculus | |
| Hours chosen from: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | ||
| R Programming for Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Choose a sequence below: (choose two sequences) | 16 | |
| Sequence 1: Biology | ||
| Introductory Biology I | ||
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| Introductory Laboratory Experiments in Biology | ||
| Sequence 2: Chemistry | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Introduction to Chemical Practice | ||
| Sequence 3: Physics | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 317K | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 317L | ||
| Sequence 4: Physics | ||
| Mechanics | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 301 | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 316 | ||
| Sequence 5: Physcis | ||
| Engineering Physics I | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 303K | ||
| Engineering Physics II | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 303L | ||
| Sequence 6: Physics | ||
| General Physics Technical Course: Mechanics, Heat, and Sound | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 302K | ||
| General Physics Technical Course: Electricity and Magnetism, Light, Atomic and Nuclear Physics | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 302L | ||
| Sequence 7: Computer Science | ||
| Elements of Computers and Programming | ||
| Elements of Software Design | ||
AND | ||
Hours chosen from: | ||
| Advanced Topics in Elements of Computing (any topic) | ||
| Elements of Scientific Computing | ||
or C S 324E | Elements of Graphics and Visualization | |
or C S 326E | Elements of Networking | |
or C S 327E | Elements of Databases | |
| Sequence 8: Math | ||
| Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | ||
| Matrices and Matrix Calculations | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
or M 362K | Probability I | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division mathematics | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 55 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 57 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | ||
| Subtotal | 57 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 8 | |
| Subtotal | 8 | |
| College Requirements - Liberal Arts | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Degree-Bachelor of Science in Behavioral and Social Data Science (BSBSDS)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | ||
| BHD 301 | Introduction to Humanities Data Science | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Statistics | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Engineering Probability and Statistics | ||
| Economic Statistics | ||
| Probability and Random Processes | ||
| Applied Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Engineering Statistics | ||
| Elements of Statistics | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Hours chosen from: Programming | 3 | |
| Psychological Data Science Foundations I | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Computer Programming for the Humanities | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Hours chosen from: Research design and methods | 3 | |
| Psychological Methods and Statistics | ||
| Qualitative Methods for Social Research | ||
| Urban Studies Research Methods | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Research Methods | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Hours chosen from: Data science fundamentals | 6 | |
| Applied Econometrics and Data Analysis | ||
| Analyzing Text Data: A Statistics Toolkit for Linguists | ||
| Psychological Data Science Foundations II | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| C S 303E | Elements of Computers and Programming | 3 |
| C S 313E | Elements of Software Design | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Elements of Scientific Computing | ||
| Elements of Graphics and Visualization | ||
| Elements of Networking | ||
| Elements of Databases | ||
| Advanced Topics in Elements of Computing (any topic) | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Hours chosen from: Research Project Management/Research Data Management/Legal Aspects | 3 | |
| Project Management for Humanities Data Science | ||
| Selected Topics in Psychology (any topic) | ||
| Ethics in Behavioral Data Science | ||
| Subtotal | 30 | |
| Literature and Writing | ||
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Writing intensive coursework-see course list (may also be counted toward Core Curriculum; Plan II honors requires a minimum grade of C-) | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division Writing intensive coursework-see course list (may also be counted toward Core Curriculum; Plan II honors requires a minimum grade of C-) | 6 | |
| E 316L | British Literature | 3 |
| or E 316M | American Literature | |
| or E 316N | World Literature | |
| or E 316P | Masterworks of Literature | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Intermediate Proficiency | 6 | |
| Additional Social Science (may not also be counted toward Core Curriculum) | 3 | |
| Cultural Expression, Human Experience, and Thought (may not also be counted toward Core Curriculum) | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 57 | |
Additional Requirements and Policy
At least:
- 39 upper-division hours are required.
- 36 lower- or upper-division hours must be completed in residence
- 24 upper-division hours must be completed in residence.
Students in this program may pursue any Bachelor of Arts honors program in the college except for Plan II Honors.
Hours may be counted toward more than one requirement only in the following cases:
- Hours that fulfill Core Curriculum may also be counted toward specific degree requirements unless otherwise stated.
- Up to 3 hours counted toward the degree or Core Curriculum may also be counted toward a minor or certificate. Completion of a transcript-recognized minor or certificate is not a requirement of the degree, but may be earned.