Experiential Learning in Statistics & Data Science
Experiential learning in Statistics & Data Science allows undergraduates to bridge the gap between theory and methodology, and real-world application.
By engaging in hands-on, interactive opportunities like capstones, summer programs, and research, our students gain the experience of applying what they are learning in the classroom to solve real problems for academic and corporate partners.
Undergraduate Capstones
Undergraduate Research Capstone
Move beyond the textbook and dive into a semester-long research project. In this course, you’ll work in a small team to tackle a real-world research challenge for an academic unit at CMU.
You’ll experience the full data science lifecycle, from structuring a messy problem and building data pipelines, to statistical modeling and presenting your insights to the project partner.
What You’ll Gain:
- Supervised Research Experience: Partner with a client on an active, collaborative research project.
- Critical Analysis: Apply your statistical skills to tackle complex, unpredictable data challenges and discover new insights.
- Academic Presenting: Learn to translate complex data into clear scientific arguments and confidently share your results with your client.
Corporate Capstone Project
Bridge the gap between data science theory and industry reality. In this competitive, semester-long course, you’ll work in a small team to solve a live business challenge for a corporate client.
This is more than your traditional assignment. You will apply advanced statistical and data science skills to build data pipelines, handle messy industry datasets, and deliver actionable, market-ready results directly to company stakeholders.
What You’ll Gain:
- Industry Experience: Learn to collaborate in a professional setting and manage real-world deliverables.
- Advanced Skills: Sharpen your critical thinking, advanced statistical analysis, and scientific writing tailored for industry.
- Professional Communication: Learn to pitch complex data as a compelling business case and deliver professional presentations to executive stakeholders.
Sports Analytics Capstone
You don't need to be a sports expert to make an impact here. If you have the data skills, this semester-long course lets you apply advanced statistics and data science methodology to uncover competitive advantages in athletic data.
Working in a small team, you will partner with clients in the Carnegie Mellon Athletics Department to solve actual performance and strategic problems, manage project timelines, and present your data-driven insights directly to coaches and staff.
What You’ll Gain:
- Hands-On Analytics: Apply critical thinking and advanced statistical analysis to live game and player data.
- Client Collaboration: Experience the full lifecycle of a consulting project, from initial problem-solving to final deliverables.
- Professional Communication: Sharpen your scientific writing and learn to present complex data clearly to athletic stakeholders.
Statistics & Data Science Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship (SURA)
Every summer, the Statistics & Data Science Department’s Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship (SURA) program pairs teams of 3–5 undergraduate students with non-statistical clients to tackle impactful research projects using real data.
Supported by both a senior Ph.D. student and a faculty advisor, student teams handle the entire pipeline: data processing, visualization, analysis, modeling, inference, and prediction. Because clients lack a statistical background, students gain two perspectives on solving real-world problems while learning to effectively communicate complex results to non-technical collaborators.
Study Abroad in Costa Rica
The Department of Statistics & Data Science and the Department of Languages, Culture & Applied Linguistics partner with Costa Rica's Monteverde Institute (MVI) to offer a summer study abroad and experiential learning program. Based in the bio-diverse Monteverde Cloud Forest, this immersive program allows students to experience Costa Rican culture and environmental stewardship first-hand through family homestays, excursions, and coursework.
All participants will take a statistics and data science class, a Spanish class, and complete an internship or community project with MVI researchers or local non-profits. Students can choose from projects ranging from reforestation and water monitoring to community health and gender equity, with the potential option to earn additional credit through a Fall mini-course upon return, if the project warrants.
Dietrich Honors Thesis
The Dietrich College Senior Honors Thesis offers eligible Statistics & Data Science majors the opportunity to engage with a year-long, 18-unit independent research project. With the guidance of a faculty advisor, you will design and execute a professional-level data analysis project that culminates in a formal, publication-style thesis.
To qualify, students must achieve a minimum 3.25 cumulative QPA (3.50 in the major) by the end of their junior year, secure a faculty mentor, and propose a project with a significant statistical component. This prestigious capstone experience is an excellent way to showcase your analytical skills, attend a dedicated honors colloquium, and present your original findings at the university’s Meeting of the Minds symposium.
Summer Statistics & Data Science Research Programs
Carnegie Mellon Sports Analytics Camp (CMSACamp)
This is an immersive, two-month summer undergraduate research experience offering housing, a $4,000 stipend, and hands-on experience with real sports data. Participants will engage with daily lectures covering foundational to advanced topics across statistics, data science, and machine learning. They also have the opportunity to learn from sports analytics professionals and academic researchers, and receive professional career development. Students collaborate on multiple research projects, including a capstone with external partners like the Pittsburgh Pirates. All students will also get the opportunity to return to CMU in the Fall to present their projects at the annual Carnegie Mellon Sports Analytics Conference.
UnitedHealth Group Bridges to Healthcare Technology Program
The Bridges to Healthcare Technology Summer Program offers college students an immersive, hands-on experience solving real-world healthcare challenges with real data. Housing and a $4,000 stipend is also provided. Participants work in small groups under the supervision of faculty and graduate students to build industry-valued technical, computing, and analytic competencies. Through direct collaboration with industry professionals from Optum, UnitedHealthcare, and UnitedHealth Group (UHG), students receive domain-specific training, career support for graduate school and industry employment, and the exclusive opportunity for an in-person intern experience.