Data Science: Sports Science

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Bachelor of Science in Data Science: Sports Science Concentration

Top 5 Reasons to Study

Gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to work at the intersection of data science and human performance, preparing for careers in professional sports, athletic training, fitness technology, rehab, and performance optimization.

Learn to capture and structure physiological and neuromechanical data from athletes through motion capture systems, wearable sensors, force plates, heart rate monitors, and biomechanical measurements.

Learn to extract actionable insights from sports performance data to assess physiological responses, analyze movement patterns, identify injury risk factors, optimize training loads, and predict performance outcomes.

Build intelligent systems that enhance athletic performance and reduce injury risk through performance monitoring, biomechanical analysis, training optimization, and AI-driven solutions that help coaches and athletes make better decisions.

Gain the ability to improve athletic performance and wellbeing by optimizing training, preventing injuries through load management, accelerating recovery, personalizing conditioning, and applying scientific rigor to athletic goals.

Core
Skills

Analyze physiological and neuromechanical data to identify performance trends and potential risks in athletes.
Apply data science skills to understand physiological and neuromechanical stress on athletes.
Improve training and performance by applying the knowledge gained in various data science and kinesiology classes.

Sample
Jobs

Sports Science Coordinator
Sports Data Scientist
Talent and Scouting Analyst
Injury Risk Analyst
Sports Performance Analyst

Successful Career Outcomes

$103,500 Median Annual Salary

35% 10 Year Growth Expected

Top
Employment
Industries

Sports Teams: Assessing athlete performance and competition readiness
Athletic Training Facilities: Optimizing training loads and conditioning programs
Fitness Technology: Developing wearable sensors and performance monitoring platforms
Rehabilitation Centers: Identifying injury risk factors and accelerating recovery
Performance Optimization Programs: Applying scientific rigor to help athletes achieve goals

Brag
Points

Study with the best: data science majors at MSU have a median ACT score of 29
Our students have access to Ptolemy, a 64 GPU NVDIA system dedicated to academic use
38% of our Data Science students participate in the Shackouls Honors College

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Capstone Project: You will participate in a two-semester capstone experience where you will be matched with a geoscience faculty mentor as you pursue a meaningful project.

Kinesiology Labs: Seek out a student worker or researcher position at one of eight labs sponsored by MSU’s Kinesiology program, including the Biomechanics Research Laboratory, the Clinical Exercise and Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, the Disability Research Laboratory, the Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, the Health Enhancement through Activity and Lifestyle Research Laboratory (HEAL), the Human Energetics and Thermoregulation Laboratory (HEaT), the Physical Activity and Wellness Research Laboratory (PAW), and the Resistance Exercise Performance Research Laboratory (REP).

Athletics Data Analysis: While less formal, our motivated students have historically found opportunities by approaching the MSU Athletics performance coaches or strength and conditioning staff to assist with player-tracking data (Catapult systems, etc.).

Athletics Data Science and AI Lab: Our undergraduate students work to centralize, connect, and translate athletic data into actionable insights that support smarter decisions across the entire athlete lifecycle.

Data Science Academic Institute: Our undergraduate researchers work on faculty projects in diverse subject areas.

You'll take five hands-on labs that use real data. This builds career-relevant experiential learning directly into your coursework.