The goal of the network science minor is to introduce students to the theories, tools, methods, and topics within the emerging and growing field of network science. Network science is defined as the measurement, modeling, prediction, and visualization of meaningful interactions and interconnectivity of social, physical, and technological systems. Network science skills are in increasing demand across industries including business, biology, life sciences, engineering, and science. For example, network science is used in business and sociology to study social networks such as friendship networks or networks of interlocking boards of directors. In biology, network science is used to study networks of gene expressions. Network science skills are in high demand for analysts, scientists, and managers who are tasked with analyzing and modeling network data. The study and skills required for network science are inherently interdisciplinary, including topics related to math, computer science, and contextual applications of network methods (in fields such as communications, economics, and epidemiology, among others).
Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified.
Network Science Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete three of the following: | 12 | |
| Social Networks | ||
| Introduction to Graph Theory | ||
| Introduction to Network Science: From the Human Cell to Facebook | ||
| Network Science 1 | ||
Data and Computational Methods
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Fundamentals of Computer Science 1 | ||
| Programming with Data and Data Science Programming Practicum | ||
| Digital Methods for Social Sciences and Humanities | ||
Applied Topics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Social Networks (if not taken as a core course) | ||
| Networks and Natural Systems | ||
| Bostonography: The City through Data, Texts, Maps, and Networks | ||
| Social Network Analysis | ||
| Social Networks and Organizations (if COMM 2105 not taken) | ||
| Network Science 1 (if not taken as a core course) | ||
| Contagion on Networks | ||
GPA Requirement
Minimum 2.000 GPA required in all minor courses
Credit Requirement
20 hours required