B.S. in Data Science: Foundations Track

IMPORTANT NOTES: The Data Science major has a capped admission process which means entrance into the major will only be open to continuing students through a lottery  Please see the Data Science Change of Major page for additional details about the lottery and eligibility requirements.

This track emphasizes the underlying computer science, engineering, mathematics and statistics methodology and theory, and is especially recommended as preparation for graduate study in data science or related fields.  

Notes:
These requirements were put into effect Fall 2022.  Requirements from previous years can be found in the General Catalog Archive.

Preparatory Subject Matter (39 units)

Mathematics

  • MAT 21A Calculus    
  • MAT 21B Calculus    
  • MAT 21C Calculus    
  • MAT 22A Linear Algebra    

Computer Science

  • ECS 17 Data, Logic, and Computing    
  • ECS 32A Introduction to Programming    
  • ECS 32B Introduction to Data Structures   

Statistics 

  • STA 35A Statistical Data Science I    
  • STA 35B Statistical Data Science II    
  • STA 35C Statistical Data Science III    

Depth Subject Matter (52 units)

Core Coursework

Computer Science

  • ECS 116 Databases for Non-Majors    
  • ECS  117 Algorithms for Data Science
  • ECS  119 Data Processing Pipelines for Data Science (Pending Approval)*   

Probability & Statistics 

  • STA  108 Linear Regression 
  • STA  141A Fundamentals of Statistical Data Science    
  • MAT 135A Probability OR STA 131A Introduction to Probability Theory   

Machine Learning

Choose one: 

  • ECS  111 Machine Learning for Non-Majors (Pending Approval)*    
  • MAT 170 Mathematics for Data Analytics & Decision Making    
  • STA 142A Introduction to Statistical Learning    

Mathematics

  • MAT 167 Applied Linear Algebra  OR  ECS 130 Scientific Computation
  •  MAT 168 Optimization    

Science & Technology Studies

  • STS  101 Data & Society    

Upper Division Electives

Three elective courses in a related discipline.     

Three upper division courses approved by major advisor; they should be in statistics, mathematics, computer science or cover quantitative aspects of a substantive discipline. A list of pre-approved electives can be viewed here.

Total Units: 91

*ECS 111 and 119 are still pending final approval.  Course titles may change.  

Tentative Sample Schedule

Freshman

Fall

Winter 

Spring

 

MAT 21A

MAT 21B

MAT 21C

 

STA 35A

STA 35B

STA 35C

 

 

ECS 17

ECS 32A

Sophomore

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

MAT 22A

STA 108

STA 141A

 

ECS 32B

ECS 116

ECS 117

 

STS 101

 

 

Junior

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

ECS 119

ECS 130 or MAT 167

Elective

 

MAT 135A or STA 131A

   

Senior

Fall

Winter

Spring

 

Elective

ECS 111 or MAT 170 or STA 142A

Elective

   

MAT 168