Program: Data Analytics in the Social Sciences MS - University at Buffalo

Apr 09, 2025

WORKING 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Data analytics in the social sciences (DASS) combines coursework and learning opportunities from our social sciences departments at UB: sociology, linguistics, psychology, geography, anthropology, communication, political science and economics. This provides students with a truly interdisciplinary approach to data analysis by exposing them to research methods and trends across different areas of social science. By combining broad exposure to data analysis with expanded work in the discipline of your choice, you will graduate as a well-rounded candidate for professional opportunities or additional academic study.

Required Core (24 credits)

Each student will be required to take at least 9 credit hours in a department other than their specialty discipline to increase familiarity with the methods of adjacent fields.

12 credits of Statistics:

Basic Statistics (3-4 Credits)

Select one:

GEO 505LLB - Univariate Stat in Geog Credits: 4
PSC 508SEM - Basic Statistics for Social Sciences Credits: 3
PSY 607LEC - Adv Statistics Methods 1 Credits: 3
SOC 504SEM - Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences Credits: 3

Intermediate Statistics (3 credits)

Select one:

PSC 531SEM - Intermed Stats for Soc Sc Credits: 3
PSY 608SEM - Adv Statistics Methods 2 Credits: 3
CEP 528LEC - Hierarchical Linear Modeling: Multilevel & Longitudinal Data Analysis Credits: 3

Advanced Statistics (3 credits)

Select one:

GEO 509LEC - Multivariate Stat in Geog Credits: 3
PSC 631SEM - Advanced Stats for Soc Sc Credits: 3
PSY 609SEM - Multivariate Statistics Credits: 3

Specialized Statistics (3 credits)

Select one:

ECO 567LEC - Economics and Game Theory Credits: 3
GEO 605LEC - Spatial Statistics Credits: 3
PSY 614SEM - Structural Equations Credits: 3
SOC 607SEM - Multiple Linear Regression Credits: 3
GEO 590LEC - Census Data & Their Use Credits: 3

Computation / Data Manipulation (6 credits)

Programming & Data Manipulation (3 credits)

Select one:

LIN 514LEC - Corpus Linguistics Credits: 3
GEO 503SEM - Geography Seminar Credits: 3
GEO 555LEC - GIS Algorith & Data Struc Credits: 3
GEO 555LAB - GIS Algorith & Data Struc Credits: 1
GEO 593LEC - Dynamic Modeling Credits: 3
GEO 655SEM - Adv Topic in Geog Inf Sys Credits: 3
GEO 655LAB - Adv Topic in Geog Inf Sys Credits: 1
PSY 862SEM - Topics Credits: 3

Computational Modeling (3 credits)

Select one:

ECO 582LEC - Computational Econometrcs Credits: 3
GEO 593LEC - Dynamic Modeling Credits: 3 if not satisfied for “Programing and Data Manipulation”
LIN 567LEC - Computational Linguistics Credits: 3

Research Methods (6 credits)

Select 2 (recommend to take both in same subject area):

APY 729SEM - Human Impacts Ancient Env Credits: 3
APY 733SEM - Topics: Analytical Methods in Archaeology Credits: 3
COM 504LEC - Research Methods Credits: 3
COM 519SEM - Statistics II Credits: 3
GEO 501SEM - Research Design Credits: 1
GEO 551LEC - Cartography and Geog Viz Credits: 3
GEO 577LEC - Environmental Statistics Credits: 3
GEO 597LEC - Geostatistics Credits: 3
LIN 527LEC - Field Methods 1 Credits: 1 - 3
LIN 624SEM - Advanced Linguistics Credits: 1 - 3
PSC 500SEM - Introduction to Political Inquiry Credits: 3
PSC 731SEM - Empiric Politcl Frontiers Credits: 3
PSY 604SEM - Res Meth Clinical Psych Credits: 3
PSY 704SEM - Social Psych Res Methods Credits: 3
SOC 605SEM - Quantitative Research Design Credits: 3
SOC 606SEM - Social Research Methods Credits: 3

Electives & Culminating Experience (12 credits)

Electives (6-9 credits)

Number of elective credits may vary depending on choice made to complete the culminating experience. Be sure to complete enough elective credit to reach 36 minimum total credit hours.

Select a minimum of two additional courses in advanced data analysis within one social science discipline.
Choose from graduate level Geography (GEO), Linguistics (LIN), Political Science (PSC), Psychology (PSY), or Sociology (SOC).
The number of elective credits needed will vary depending on culminating experience selected. Select number of elective credits to reach minimum 36 credits required for degree.

Culminating Experience: Project or Thesis (3-6 credits)

LIN 600TUT - Masters Proj /Thesis Guid Credits: 1 - 3
SOC 600TUT - Project Guidance Credits: 1 - 6
PSC 700TUT - MA Culminating Experience Credits: 1 - 6
PSY 700TUT - Thesis Guidance Credits: 1 - 12

Total Credit Hours: 36

3.0 Degree GPA Required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Explain the core statistical methods commonly used in the field of social sciences through analysis of existing research.
2) Effectively use multiple research methods and data analytic approaches applicable to the social sciences.
3) Computationally retrieve, analyze, and model data using current software (such as MATLAB, Python, PERL, or R).
4) Write scripts and mini- programs using current software (such as MATLAB, Python, PERL, or R).
5) Conduct sound research that includes advanced statistics, such as multivariate, Bayesian, factor, cluster analyses or structural equation modeling, as applicable to at least one social science discipline.
6) Achieve mastery at communicating results of data analysis to a wide range of audiences

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).