What is BSDS ?

Behavioral and Social Data Science (BSDS) is an interdisciplinary major at UT Austin that combines the power of data with the study of human thought, behavior, and culture.

 

In a world overflowing with data about how people think, act, and interact, BSDS prepares students to ask meaningful questions and uncover insights that matter. Our graduates combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of human behavior and society—a combination that makes them uniquely prepared for today’s data-driven world.

 

 

Why BSDS?

Data science is everywhere—from healthcare and business to government, education, and the arts. But the most important challenges often aren’t about machines or markets; they’re about people. BSDS gives students the skills to analyze complex data responsibly, thoughtfully, and ethically, while keeping the human perspective at the center.

 

 

 

Two Tracks, One Major

BSDS offers two distinct pathways, allowing students to tailor their studies while building a shared foundation in data science and human-centered inquiry.

 

Psychology Track

• Explore how people think, feel, and behave in social and individual contexts.

• Apply advanced data analysis and visualization techniques to questions in psychology.

• Gain skills that prepare you for careers in healthcare, business, education, or psychological research, or for graduate study in psychology and related fields.

 

Humanities Track

• Investigate culture, history, language, and the ways people create meaning.

• Learn digital and computational methods for analyzing texts, traditions, and social systems.

• Prepare for careers in policy, communication, cultural institutions, and beyond—or for graduate study in the humanities or data-driven research fields.

 

 

 

Skills and Futures

As a BSDS major, you’ll do more than work with numbers—you’ll learn to translate data into human insight. Along the way, you’ll build:

• Expertise in data analysis, data visualization, computational modeling, and ethical decision-making.

• The ability to interpret and apply behavioral and social data in real-world contexts.

• A unique combination of technical training and human-centered perspective.

These skills open doors to careers in tech, healthcare, policy, education, business, and nonprofits—anywhere organizations rely on understanding people through data. Many graduates also continue on to graduate study in psychology, data science, social sciences, or the humanities.

Wherever your path leads, BSDS equips you with the tools to thrive in a data-rich, people-focused world.